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Depression

Teens obsessed with the net are more likely to be depressed

New research could go a long way to diagnosing depression early.

RESEARCH has concluded that teens who spend are constantly online are more likely to be depressed.

Researchers in Australia and China found that some teens were anxious and nervous when they weren’t online, and those teens were two and a half times more likely to develop depression.

The Telegraph is reporting that over 1,000 teens with an average age of 15 were examined about their internet use. Just over six per cent were found to be pathological users of the net.

None of the teens said they had depression before the survey, but nine months later, those who were patholigical users of the net, were more likely to show signs of depression, than those who were online less.

The authors of the report have called for a screening program for pathological use of the internet in schools. This they say will go a long way to early diagnosis of young people who have depression.