A study, found in the journal Psychopathology, has found that there is a strong link between heavy internet use and depression. The study carried out by Leeds University and posted on the BBC News website found that 1.2% of people surveyed were “internet addicts”, and many of these were depressed.
For a kick off, to find their results they used an internet questionnaire. Hardly seems fair; it’d be like holding a Weight-Watchers class at an all-you-can-eat buffet.
Even worse, and although they weren’t published in the BBC story, I’m pretty sure the study worked out how much time the average person spent on the net too. “Oh well look at this, people are now spending an average of 40 hours online a week, 20 of which are filling out stupid online surveys. It’s no wonder they’re depressed. You don’t think it’s got anything to do with this one, do you? Oh no, course not. Fancy a pizza? Nah, it’s ok, I’ve just ordered one from Dominoes. ONLINE”.
I must admit, I probably spend too much time online myself, but I don’t think I’m addicted though, far from it. I actually really enjoy it when you go away on holiday and not have the internet for a week or so, it actually feels rather liberating. I used to hate it, especially when you think back to being at home and checking your Facebook every 60 minutes, but being away on holiday and away from the internet completely is different. It’s great. It’s so good in fact that even once I’m back from holiday I try to delay turning on the laptop for as long as I can. I know there’s gonna be tons of emails to look at, and I know I’m gonna go back and read loads of blogs so I’ve fully caught up, but it’s nice to prolong the not knowing for just a little longer.
The idea of going cold turkey is a good one, but that wouldn’t bode very well for the blog, so I guess I’m tied to the good ship Internet for some time yet.
Although I admit that I probably do use the internet a little too much, I enjoy it. And I don’t substitute online relationships for real ones – I have those – but that’s not to say you can’t have meaningful friendships online. To be perfectly honest, I’ve met some of my closest friends thanks to the internet.
When I moved to Leeds in 2007 I didn’t know anyone here, and the mate I was meant to be moving with was still working his notice at work so I had three weeks on my own up here. Luckily though, I met a few people from the internet nerd forum I go on, and now a couple of them are my closest friends. I’ve met loads of really fantastic people through the internet, and I wouldn’t change it for the world.
Unless Obama came up to me and said “So, look, Mat. Mat Murray. We love your blog and that, yeah yeah, love all that, but we need a favour. Yeah, it’s the Russians again. We’ve got a crazy group of them threatening to blow up the world unless you stop talking to James and Lizzee, yeah, I know, even James. Yes, I’ve seen his abs, yes I know he can eat three burgers in one night and he’s a thoroughly decent guy, but seriously, stop talking to him and the earth is saved”. If Mr Obama is reading this (AND I’M SURE HE IS) then I’ll think about it.
Going back to the study though, it says “Our research indicates that excessive internet use is associated with depression, but what we don’t know is which comes first – are depressed people drawn to the internet or does the internet cause depression?” When you’re down it’s good just to escape, be that in a book, watching a film, or watching videos of cats on YouTube, it all helps. I don’t think the internet causes depression, but when you’re depressed you just want to be somewhere else, and I think a lot of people find solace in the internet. Either through the autonomy of the world wide web, or just the fact there’s so much to see on there.
I’ve had those times where you’ve been on the internet all day and it’s well depressing. You know those times where you feel like you’ve seen every website in the world? I’ve done that, I’m sure we all have. But it’s at those times that it’s good to go outside and get some fresh air and experience the world.
Just take your laptop with you.
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