Internet and depression in adolescents: Evidence from China

Yuna Ma; Jiafeng Gu

doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1026920

Internet and depression in adolescents: Evidence from China

Front Psychol. 2023 Feb 13:14:1026920. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1026920. eCollection 2023.

Authors

Yuna Ma¹, Jiafeng Gu²

Affiliations

¹ School of Social Work, China Youth University for Political Sciences, Beijing, China.
² Institute of Social Science Survey, Peking University, Beijing, China.

Abstract

Despite growing attention to Internet activity as a social determinant of depression in adolescents, few studies have focused on its diverse effects on depressive symptoms. Using data from the 2020 China Family Panel Study, this study employed logistic regression analysis to examine how Internet activity affects depressive symptoms in adolescents in China. The results indicated that adolescents with longer online duration using mobile phones tended to have higher levels of depression. Adolescents who engaged in online activities related to games, shopping, and entertainment had more severe depressive symptoms, but their time spent on online learning was not significantly associated with their level of depression. These findings suggest a dynamic link between Internet activity and adolescent depression and offer policy implications for addressing depressive symptoms in adolescents. Specifically, Internet and youth development policies and public health programs during the COVID-19 pandemic should be designed based on a comprehensive account of all aspects of Internet activity.

Keywords: adolescents; depression; internet; logistic regression; online activity.