Universities must try to monitor symptoms
High Internet usage has been linked with depression by Australian and Chinese researchers, who concluded that the likelihood of depression is 2.5 times higher in pathological Internet users.
Of course, not everyone who uses the Internet becomes depressed, but the way the Internet is used can provoke depressive behaviors. Specific patterns include a correlation between high levels of file sharing and depression, according to a study by Missouri University of Science and Technology. Other characteristics of depression-prone individuals include high use of email, gaming, video watching and chatting.
There are other correlations as well. Switching between websites rapidly may reflect anhedonia (a decreased ability to experience pleasure) as users seek emotional stimulation. Similarly, excessive emailing and chatting may signify a relative lack of strong face-to-face relationships as people strive to maintain contact either with faraway friends or new people met online. Depressed students could use chat rooms to overcome feelings of isolation.
The knowledge of depressive tendencies related to Internet use may lead to the development of software applications that can monitor usage and alert users of symptoms, prompting them to seek professional help if needed. Properly designed software could be installed on the campus networks of universities and notify counselors of students who are at-risk. In this way, students’ Internet use could be monitored and psychological illnesses could be prevented without infringing upon the rights of students.