A new study reveals that internet addiction in adolescents can significantly alter brain chemistry, potentially leading to a range of addictive behaviors and cognitive challenges. The research, published in PLOS Mental Health, reviews findings from 12 neuroimaging studies conducted between 2013 and 2023, involving 237 teens aged 10 to 19.
The study utilized functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to explore how brain regions interact in individuals diagnosed with internet addiction. The results indicate increased activity in certain brain areas during rest and a decrease in functional connectivity within the executive control network, which is responsible for memory and decision-making.
“These changes in brain connectivity can lead to negative behavioral and developmental outcomes in adolescents,” said Max Chang, the study’s lead author and an MSc student at the UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health. “They may struggle to maintain relationships, lie about their online activity, and experience irregular eating and disrupted sleep patterns.”
The study highlights that nearly half of British teenagers reported feeling addicted to social media. Irene Lee, a senior author of the research paper, emphasized the broader implications: “There is no doubt that the internet has certain advantages. However, when it begins to affect our day-to-day lives, it is a problem.”
The researchers suggest that adolescence, a crucial developmental stage marked by significant biological, cognitive, and personality changes, makes the brain particularly vulnerable to internet addiction. The compulsive use of the internet can disrupt attention, planning, decision-making, and impulse control, which are governed by the brain’s executive function network.
Chang hopes that these findings will help identify early signs of internet addiction, allowing for timely interventions. “Clinicians could prescribe treatments targeting specific brain regions or suggest psychotherapy or family therapy to address key symptoms,” he said. “Parental education on internet addiction is also crucial for prevention.”
Dr. David Ellis, a behavioral scientist at the University of Bath’s Institute for Digital Security and Behaviour, acknowledged the study’s insights but urged caution in interpretation. “Cause and effect cannot be drawn from these studies,” he noted, pointing out that internet addiction is not universally accepted as a diagnosable condition.
In the U.S., internet addiction is not listed in the DSM-V, the standard classification of mental disorders. However, internet gaming disorder is recognized. Most studies reviewed in the research were conducted in Asia, highlighting cultural differences in how internet addiction is perceived and addressed.
Dr. Eva Telzer, a professor of psychology and neuroscience at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, pointed out the need for longitudinal data to better understand the causality between brain connectivity patterns and internet addiction.
Dr. Smita Das, an addiction psychiatrist at Stanford Medicine, noted that the brain patterns observed in internet addiction resemble those seen in substance addictions. “Balancing the usefulness and dangers of the internet is crucial for adolescent development,” she said.
To help teens manage internet addiction, experts recommend finding offline activities that engage them and consulting healthcare providers for behavioral strategies. Cognitive behavioral therapy, mindfulness, and motivational interviewing are effective treatment methods. In severe cases, medication might be necessary.
Dr. Das also emphasized the importance of addressing underlying mental health conditions and implementing preventative measures such as limiting screen time, taking regular breaks, and avoiding doom scrolling.
The American Psychiatric Association (APA) has recognized the growing concern over technology addiction and has included it in its presidential initiative for 2023 to 2024, providing resources on its website to help families and individuals manage this modern challenge.
