Internet Use Effects on Health

Internet Use Effects on Health

The Mental and Physical Health Effects of Internet Use among the Youth

The prevalence and increased permeability of Internet and computer technologies (ICTs) in both personal and office- or school-related activities demonstrate how highly-integrated Internet technology is in society today. Through the Internet, information has become more readily available, information production and distribution increased, and information-related tasks became easier and faster for the users. As users become more dependent in using the Internet for their daily activities, it is not surprising, then, that Internet has become a venue not just for information-sharing and -building, but also for socialization and other forms of online interactions.

The increased use of the Internet bring into fore the issue of Internet effects, focusing particularly on the effects of Internet use on the user's physical and mental health. While Internet users belong to different and various socio-demographic characteristics and profiles, Internet use is especially prevalent among the youth -- specifically, those who are within the adolescent age groups.

This paper looks into the effects on health of Internet use among the youth. Explored in detail in the discussion and analysis is the effects of Internet use on the user's physical and mental health. This paper posits that the frequency and length of Internet use among the youth influences the user's mental health through escalated Internet users (i.e., eventual addiction to the Internet) and physical health, manifested through "withdrawal-type" symptoms (which is related to the user's unhealthy mental state once addicted to the Internet).

In studying the relationship between length and frequency of Internet use and effects on the user's mental health, it is vital to look into Internet addiction as a mental health problem at the conceptual level. Studies relating Internet use with users' mental health have debated on Internet addiction's categorization as a mental health problem. Kaltiala-Heino's (2004) study delved into understanding Internet addiction among the youth as a possible mental health problem. In her analysis, the author clarified how Internet addiction is an ICT-related and -caused mental health problem because it is treated as any other kind of addiction extant, only, the cause of addiction is Internet use (its length and frequency). That is, Internet addiction is a mental health problem in the same manner that substance or alcohol abuse is considered also mental health problems among its users.

The author expressed concern on the prevalence of addiction among the youth, for it is during this stage that the youth is in the "middle of their personality development and rapid psychological maturation...social skills are built and educational choices are made that influence the entire adulthood" (90). Thus, the concern on the possible effects Internet addiction can have on the youth's development as an adult makes escalating Internet use and eventual addiction not just a concern, but must also be considered as a serious mental health problem that progresses through the user's formative years from adolescent to adult stages. It is in the context of Kaltiala-Heino's study that Internet addiction is seen as a progressively escalating health concern that can affect an adolescent's eventual development into an adult, negatively affecting his/her development or achievement of normative social and intellectual skills and capacities.

In terms of escalating Internet use and its relationship in the development of physical health problems among users, Griffiths' (2002) study generated the finding that physical health problems resulting from excessive Internet use is also influenced by mental health problems exhibited by Internet addicts. He identified Internet addicts as highly-involved in "Internet chat rooms (i.e., chatting) or play fantasy role-playing games -- activities that they would not engage in except on the Internet itself" (284).