Adolescents who experience loneliness are more likely to compulsively use the Internet, says a new study conducted by the University of Helsinki and published in Child Development (February). The study which surveyed 1,750 Finnish teenage children at three points in time: at 16, 17 and 18 years of age, found that adolescents’ Internet use is a two-edged sword: while the consequences of moderate use are positive, the effects of compulsive use are detrimental, leading to depression.

“In the coronavirus period, loneliness has increased markedly among adolescents. They look for a sense of belonging from the Internet. Lonely adolescents head to the Internet and are at risk of becoming addicted. Internet addiction can further aggravate their malaise, such as depression,” says Katariina Salmela-Aro, professor of education, University of Helsinki.

The study concluded that the risk of being drawn into “problematic Internet use” was highest among 16-year-old adolescents, with the phenomenon being more common among boys.