Internet Addiction and Depression Statistics Project

Internet Addiction and Depression - Statistics Project Example Chien, et al. (2005) argues that despite the great benefits brought about by the internet, it has led to adverse effects to some of its users. Internet addiction and depression has been cited as one of the major problem brought about by the internet (Oreilly, 1999). Internet addiction and depression is a major problem afflicting some of the internet users. According to Block (2008), internet addiction can be defined as the excessive use/ overuse of technological devices that can provide access to internet such as computers and phones in such a way that they interfere with one’s daily life. Internet addiction includes the following activities; excessive gaming on the internet, blogging, e- mailing, online social networking, internet shopping, and inappropriate pornography use (Young 2009). However, it is important to note that activities such as playing computer games or reading are only considered troubling/ addiction to an extent that these activities are interfering with a person’s normal life (Welsh, 1999). Related to internet addiction is internet related depression, which is defined as a mental/ psychological disorder that is characterized by loss of interest or pleasure, an all- encompassing low mood, and low self- esteem in an event that internet is withdrawn from an addicted person’s life (Bessiere, 2010). Bellamy and Hanewicz (2001) explain that internet depression can also take the form of an internet addict substituting friendships, which are meaningful, and socializing with internet’s virtual contacts, hence having adverse effects on his or her mental wellbeing. Morrison (2010) argues that their study proved that internet addiction and internet depression are strongly linked but the nature of that relationship is what is yet to be established. Armstrong (2001) says that it is not known, which comes first- whether internet cause depression or depressed people are drawn to