PSA: Internet causes depression

[Iron Addict]

"One major study at Carnegie Mellon University found that people who spend even a few hours a week online experience higher levels of depression and loneliness than people who use the computer less. The researchers conclude that Internet use itself appeared to cause a decline in psychological well-being. The study was funded by high-tech companies such as Hewlett-Packard, AT&T Research, Intel, Apple, and the National Science Foundation, and the findings were excatly opposite of what researchers were expecting to find."

I actually think I was better off "phychologically" before I got sucked into the net." *logout

 

[PowderBB3D]

Perhaps it is because they are depressed and lonely that they go online? Seems like a dubious correlation at best. No way will they prove the existence of any sort of causality here. Way too many variables, and, as the question I just posited illustrates, it can easily go both ways.

 

[DaiShan]

link to article and statistical data?

 

[Iron Addict]

Originally posted by: DaiShan
link to article and statistical data?

coming from my comm textbook...

 

[Ryan]

I agree - my quality of life has gone up several notches now that I've practically stopped using my computer. I check my e-mail, but this is the first time in weeks that I've actively posted on AT.

I've substituted my time on the computer with many other things - involvement in philosophy activities at my college, spending time with my SO, working on my car, etc, etc. I just feel like a more productive individual when I don't waste hours online. That's not to say that the internet is worthless to me as far as friendships though - I've become close to a few individuals here on AT, met some, and consider one to be one of the best people I know.

 

[Bootprint]

hmmm,
1998 :Internet use causes depression

2001 :Internet use doesn't cause depression, study.

 

[PowderBB3D]

Originally posted by: Ryan
I agree - my quality of life has gone up several notches now that I've practically stopped using my computer. I check my e-mail, but this is the first time in weeks that I've actively posted on AT.

I've substituted my time on the computer with many other things - involvement in philosophy activities at my college, spending time with my SO, working on my car, etc, etc. I just feel like a more productive individual when I don't waste hours online. That's not to say that the internet is worthless to me as far as friendships though - I've become close to a few individuals here on AT, met some, and consider one to be one of the best people I know.

You have over 25 thousand posts on a message board about computers. No offense (we're all nerds here ) but I think you represent(ed?) an extreme case.

 

[DCFife]

If the internet causes depression, it's because:

1. You stop going outside and getting some vitamin D

2. You're middle-aged and seeing the nekkid teens brings on a mid-life crisis

 

[Ryan]

Originally posted by: PowderBB3D

Originally posted by: Ryan
I agree - my quality of life has gone up several notches now that I've practically stopped using my computer. I check my e-mail, but this is the first time in weeks that I've actively posted on AT.

I've substituted my time on the computer with many other things - involvement in philosophy activities at my college, spending time with my SO, working on my car, etc, etc. I just feel like a more productive individual when I don't waste hours online. That's not to say that the internet is worthless to me as far as friendships though - I've become close to a few individuals here on AT, met some, and consider one to be one of the best people I know.

You have over 25 thousand posts on a message board about computers. No offense (we're all nerds here ) but I think you represent(ed?) an extreme case.

Yeah - but my PPD dropped off the map around this time last year, plus, it's a running total over 6 years

 

[BrownTown]

I love studies that get causality completely backwards like this one. The internet doesnt make people losers, people who are losers go to the internet becasue nobody else want to hear their stupid problems.

My personal favourite is the one saying that people who have sex past the age of 70 are healthier than peopel who arent having sex. Its like well no ******, if you are 70 and can still get it up then you are probably pretty health for your age.

 

[Iron Addict]

Originally posted by: Bootprint
hmmm,
1998 :Internet use causes depression

2001 :Internet use doesn't cause depression, study.

? For extroverts, Net use was tied to better mood, less loneliness and higher self-esteem.

? For introverts, the more time online, the lonelier and more unhappy they became. Compared with extroverts, they used the Net more for entertainment and less for social contact.