Young people who are depressed or hostile, or who have Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder or social phobia, are more likely to become addicted to the Internet, according to an article that appeared in the Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine.

Between 1.4 and 17.9 percent of all adolescents are addicted to the Internet. Boys are more likely to have such addictions than girls, and the addictions are more prevalent in Eastern countries.

The latest research involved 2,293 seventh grade students from Taiwan, who were followed for more than two years by researchers from Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital.

"The study's indication that children who were hyperactive and diagnosed with ADHD are finding an outlet on the Web makes perfect sense," said Michael Gilbert, a senior fellow at the Center for the Digital Future at the University of Southern California Annenberg School for Communication. These children crave the constant stimulation of fast-paced video games and interactive social networks, he said.

Likewise, children with depression, anger issues or social problems also turn to the Internet for an outlet.

"They can take on an avatar or a different identity," Gilbert said, "and contact other kids with the same problems and social inadequacies. They don't have to function in conventional social ways."

Labels: addictions, phobias, internet, Attention_Deficit_Hyperactivity_Disorder

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A survey of 3473 children ages two to 17 years old found that playing video games is more popular than ever and has predictable patterns of usage.

Children of both sexes start playing child-oriented games between ages two and five. At six years old, children move into games on personal computers and use gaming systems such as Nintendo and Playstation. Between six and eight years, children become more serious about gaming, and the time they spend on it increases dramatically. By age ten, they play games on cell phones.

Children ages ten to 17 years spend an average of ten hours a week gaming. About half are light users (less than five hours a week).

Boys tend to play video games more than girls do, and they also tend to use gaming systems more often. Girls tend to play on cell phones.

The NPD Group conducted the survey for industry use.

Read more in our full length article Internet Addiction: Escapism or Psychological Disorder?.

Labels: video_games, addictions, internet

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