Internet Addiction and his problems in teens

Luca Antonino

Internet Addiction and his problems in teens

Many argue that the internet makes our lives easier but is that really the case? Yes, it helps our communication but it is also true that overuse can lead to addiction. When a person is an Internet addict it means that they need it to feel good.The Internet is useful, but very dangerous, which can affect teenage mental health,  leading to depression, anxiety and lack of sleep.

First of all, the Internet can affect teens by causing depression. Depression is a mental disorder which affects how you feel and think."Depression rates in children under the age of 12 years and young adults up to 25 years to grow" (Depression). The new social media users are experts in electronic communication which is less emotionally satisfying than normal communication.“The less you are connected with human beings in a deep, empathic way, the less you’re really getting the benefits of a social interaction”(Miller).

A second way in which the internet negatively affects mental health is that it causes anxiety. Anxiety is a natural response to your body's stress. It is a feeling of fear or fear about what is to come(Anxiety Disorders). Teens feel emotionally connected and devoted to their accounts and they constantly try to find the perfect picture so that they appear “cool”. Many people are concerned. Many teens, especially girls, are worried about people’s opinion. The really serious issue connected to this is cyberbullying, which is bullying on social media. This behaviour is more common in girls who are often slut-shamed. This is a major concern among teenagers because it can lead to serious issues and even to suicide.

Finally, a third problem caused by social media and the Internet, in general, is sleep deprivation. Almost all teens are on their devices so much that they do not get enough sleep(Mazzola). This is a very serious problem because it can lead to many more problems. In fact, this lack of sleep can cause bad behaviour and mood, as well as bad grades and depression(Anxiety). A lot of people are doing research on this issue. For example, a study from the Wales Institute of Social & Economic Research by surveying 900 teens, found out that one-fifth of the respondents wakes up in the night to check their phones. Finally, for example, rather than feeling fatigued and irritable, a lack of sleep reduces immunity and teens are more susceptible to illness.

In conclusion, internet addiction has become a serious problem. The Internet is very helpful and it makes our lives easier, but we should try to control consumption. It can cause serious problems like depression, anxiety and sleep deprivation. It may seem scary, but don't forget that you can always prevent or cure this problem - it's all up to you. You can do it!

Works Cited

“Anxiety Disorders.” Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 4 May 2018, Web. 4 Mar. 2020.

“Depression.” National Institute of Mental Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services,  Web. 4 Mar. 2020.

Mazzola, Jessica. “Nighttime Texting Linked to Bad Grades, N.J. Study Finds.” Nj, 8 Oct. 2015, Web. 5 mar. 2020.

Miller, Caroline, and Child Mind Institute. “Does Social Media Cause Depression?” Child Mind Institute,  Web. 4 Mar. 2020.