The internet is a wonderful thing, allowing communication and access to information that would have been impossible just a few years ago. It’s also a scary thing, full of lies and abuse. It’s easy to panic when you hear the stories about teenagers being led astray by social media, but what does the actual science say about trying to regulate internet use (https://longevity.technology/lifestyle/is-your-teen-at-risk-how-internet-addiction-affects-adolescent-brain-development/)?
Governments around the world are currently taking steps to try to protect children from the darker side of the internet, but attempting to do so without cutting off what makes the web important and valuable is a challenging task. It’s even harder when you’re a parent without governmental resources.
Scientists have been trying to quantify the risks posed by excessive internet use. A study in PLOS Mental Health looked at the adolescent brain in particular. Teenagers’ brains aren’t as fixed as those of adults. This plastic nature makes it easier for them to learn and develop, but it also makes them more vulnerable to outside influences.
Overuse of computers and smartphones can mess with neurotransmitters like dopamine, which in turn alters your brain’s reward systems. Internet addiction, when you become obsessed with the internet over everything else, to the extent it starts damaging other aspects of your life, can occur when you’re looking for that short-term dopamine hit that accompanies many online activities.
Other parts of the brain impacted by excessive internet use can include gray matter, which controls aspects of attention, decision-making and memory, and white matter, which influences impulse control and emotional regulation. Then there are the non-physical effects of internet use. For example, it can contribute to teenagers becoming withdrawn and isolated, exacerbating symptoms of anxiety and depression.
Parents should try to be aware of their children’s internet use and educate them on the dangers, although it is a balancing act to make sure they still feel they have some privacy. Teaching digital literacy can ensure they make informed choices even when you’re not there. Make sure they have activities they enjoy in the offline world. In the most extreme cases, professional help may be necessary.
Teenagers can use the internet to learn and to connect with other people when they’re feeling isolated. It can be life-saving. That doesn’t mean they should be allowed unfiltered and unlimited access, however. Communication and education are essential.
