New study says urban and rural youth are equally addicted to the internet
| Jul 18, 2019, 14:18 IST
According to a recent study, the general belief that only city youth are addicted to the internet is probably just a myth. The study says that those with high internet use could also be at a higher risk of experiencing anxiety.
The National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences study found that youth in rural areas are just as addicted to the internet as the urban youth. The study explored the patterns of internet users in urban and rural areas to study its impacts.
A total of 731 individuals (403 males and 328 females) in the age group of 18-25 years from one urban city and one rural town within Karnataka were approached for the study. A rural town with good internet penetration was chosen for the study. Smartphones were found to be the most common media for internet usage.
Respondents with higher internet use were found to be at a higher risk of experiencing depression. “However, it is important to highlight that this relationship is bi-directional. From the cases we have received at the clinic, we have found that in many cases, people going through depression could tend to spend more time online as a coping mechanism,” Sharma said.
In the same manner, the respondents who had a higher use were observed to have a greater risk of facing problems with anxiety.
Hopefully, the study is able is to shed more light about the perils of internet addiction among the youth and expedites the process of finding the right solution.
Stay tuned for more news.
The National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences study found that youth in rural areas are just as addicted to the internet as the urban youth. The study explored the patterns of internet users in urban and rural areas to study its impacts.
A total of 731 individuals (403 males and 328 females) in the age group of 18-25 years from one urban city and one rural town within Karnataka were approached for the study. A rural town with good internet penetration was chosen for the study. Smartphones were found to be the most common media for internet usage.
Respondents with higher internet use were found to be at a higher risk of experiencing depression. “However, it is important to highlight that this relationship is bi-directional. From the cases we have received at the clinic, we have found that in many cases, people going through depression could tend to spend more time online as a coping mechanism,” Sharma said.
In the same manner, the respondents who had a higher use were observed to have a greater risk of facing problems with anxiety.
Hopefully, the study is able is to shed more light about the perils of internet addiction among the youth and expedites the process of finding the right solution.
Stay tuned for more news.