Poor self-confidence, anxiety and poorer eyesight. The negative consequences of spending a lot of time on the internet are often highlighted, not least among young people. But for people over 50 years old, surfing seems to have the opposite effect.
When researchers from, among others, the University of Hong Kong analyze data from 23 different countries, including Sweden, they see a link between spending more time on the internet and well-being and fewer depressive symptoms. This is also the case when taking into account factors such as alcohol consumption, physical activity, and age, which also affect well-being and health.
Followed for six years
Over 87,000 people were included in the analysis, which has been published in Nature Human Behaviour, and these were followed for around six years. Internet use included, among other things, using email, booking trips, buying things, and searching for information.
The older the individuals were, the stronger the connection was. The researchers have several theories about why surfing the internet could lead to increased well-being. The main one is that social contacts on the internet can reduce loneliness, which is a common cause of mental illness and depressive symptoms. Getting answers to medical questions, having contact with healthcare, or being able to access health-related information can also contribute.
Once a week
In the analysis, participants were classified as internet users even if they only used the internet once a week. For some parameters, such as depressive symptoms, these decreased if the participant used the internet more frequently.
The researchers write that more knowledge is needed about how much internet use can be beneficial for health and how what people do on the internet affects health.
