Is Internet Addiction Among Adolescents a Cause of their Declining Mental Health: Insights from a Review

Abstract

Mental disorders at any given point are present in about 10% of the adult population, with the maximum being amongst young adults. Mental health problems make adolescents engage in different kinds of behaviour; some resort to substance abuse, while a few over-indulge in social platforms like the internet. Aim: This review aims to synthesize Indian research examining the association between internet addiction and mental health outcomes among adolescents, with a focus on depression, anxiety, stress, and loneliness. Results: The social withdrawal caused by excessive screen time can exacerbate existing feelings of loneliness, leading to a vicious cycle where each condition fuels the other.