Internet addicted young individuals have alterations in their brain chemistry that may lead to more addictive behaviours.
The study, which was published in PLOS Mental Health, evaluated prior studies that used functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to investigate how areas of the brain interact in persons with internet addiction.
They discovered that the impacts were seen throughout many neural networks in young people’s brains, as well as increased activity in areas of the brain while individuals were resting.
At the same time, there was a general decline in functional connectivity in areas of the brain engaged in active thinking, which is the executive control network responsible for memory and decision-making.
The research found that these changes resulted in addictive behaviours and tendencies in adolescents, as well as behavioural changes linked to mental health, development, intellectual ability and physical coordination.
The researchers reviewed 12 previous studies involving 237 (10- to 19)-year-olds with a formal diagnosis of internet addiction between 2013 and 2023.
Almost half of British teenagers have said they feel addicted to social media, according to a survey this year.
Max Chang, the study’s lead author and an MSc student at the UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health (GOS ICH), said: “Adolescence is a crucial developmental stage during which people go through significant changes in their biology, cognition and personalities.
“As a result, the brain is more prone to internet addiction-related desires during this time, such as obsessive internet usage, cravings for mouse or keyboard use, and media consumption.
“Our study’s findings indicate that this might result in potentially harmful behavioural and developmental alterations that may have an influence on teenagers’ lives. For example, they may struggle to maintain connections and social activities, lie about their internet usage, and have erratic food and sleep patterns.”
Chang also stated that he believed the findings would reveal “how internet addiction alters the connection between the brain networks in adolescence,” allowing early indicators of internet addiction to be successfully addressed.
“As a result, the brain is more prone to internet addiction-related desires during this time, such as obsessive internet usage, cravings for mouse or keyboard use, and media consumption.
“Our study’s findings indicate that this might result in potentially harmful behavioural and developmental alterations that may have an influence on teenagers’ lives. For example, they may struggle to maintain connections and social activities, lie about their internet usage, and have erratic food and sleep patterns.”
Chang also stated that he believed the findings would reveal “how internet addiction alters the connection between the brain networks in adolescence,” allowing early indicators of internet addiction to be successfully addressed.
“As a result, the brain is more prone to internet addiction-related desires during this time, such as obsessive internet usage, cravings for mouse or keyboard use, and media consumption.
“Our study’s findings indicate that this might result in potentially harmful behavioural and developmental alterations that may have an influence on teenagers’ lives. For example, they may struggle to maintain connections and social activities, lie about their internet usage, and have erratic food and sleep patterns.”
Chang also stated that he believed the findings would reveal “how internet addiction alters the connection between the brain networks in adolescence,” allowing early indicators of internet addiction to be successfully addressed.
“As a result, the brain is more prone to internet addiction-related desires during this time, such as obsessive internet usage, cravings for mouse or keyboard use, and media consumption.
“Our study’s findings indicate that this might result in potentially harmful behavioural and developmental alterations that may have an influence on teenagers’ lives. For example, they may struggle to maintain connections and social activities, lie about their internet usage, and have erratic food and sleep patterns.”
Chang also stated that he believed the findings would reveal “how internet addiction alters the connection between the brain networks in adolescence,” allowing early indicators of internet addiction to be successfully addressed.
“As a result, the brain is more prone to internet addiction-related desires during this time, such as obsessive internet usage, cravings for mouse or keyboard use, and media consumption.
“Our study’s findings indicate that this might result in potentially harmful behavioural and developmental alterations that may have an influence on teenagers’ lives. For example, they may struggle to maintain connections and social activities, lie about their internet usage, and have erratic food and sleep patterns.”
Chang also stated that he believed the findings would reveal “how internet addiction alters the connection between the brain networks in adolescence,” allowing early indicators of internet addiction to be successfully addressed.
“As a result, the brain is more prone to internet addiction-related desires during this time, such as obsessive internet usage, cravings for mouse or keyboard use, and media consumption.
“Our study’s findings indicate that this might result in potentially harmful behavioural and developmental alterations that may have an influence on teenagers’ lives. For example, they may struggle to maintain connections and social activities, lie about their internet usage, and have erratic food and sleep patterns.”
Chang also stated that he believed the findings would reveal “how internet addiction alters the connection between the brain networks in adolescence,” allowing early indicators of internet addiction to be successfully addressed.
