Internet use, depression, and cognitive outcomes among Chinese adolescents

Demystifying the New Dilemma of Brain Rot in the Digital Era: A Review

Background/Objectives: The widespread phenomenon of "brain rot", named the Oxford Word of the Year 2024, refers to the cognitive decline and mental exhaustion experienced by individuals, particularly adolescents and young adults, due to excessive exposure to low-quality online materials, especially on social media. The present study is exploratory and interpretative in nature, aiming to investigate the phenomenon of "brain rot", with a focus on its key pillars, psychological factors, digital behaviors, and the cognitive impact resulting from the overconsumption of low-quality digital content. Methods: This study employs a rapid review approach, examining research published between 2023 and 2024 across PubMed, Google Scholar, PsycINFO, Scopus, and Web of Science. It explores the causes and effects of brain rot, focusing on the overuse of social media, video games, and other digital platforms. Results: The findings reveal that brain rot leads to emotional desensitization, cognitive overload, and a negative self-concept. It is associated with negative behaviors, such as doomscrolling, zombie scrolling, and social media addiction, all linked to psychological distress, anxiety, and depression. These factors impair executive functioning skills, including memory, planning, and decision-making. The pervasive nature of digital media, driven by dopamine-driven feedback loops, exacerbates these effects. Conclusions: The study concludes by offering strategies to prevent brain rot, such as controlling screen time, curating digital content, and engaging in non-digital activities. Given the increasing prevalence of digital engagement, it is essential to explore a variety of strategies, including mindful technology use, to support cognitive health and emotional well-being. The results can guide various stakeholders-policymakers, practitioners, researchers, educators, and parents or caregivers-in addressing the pervasive impact of brain rot and promoting a balanced approach to technology use that fosters cognitive resilience among adolescents and young adults.

Associations of various internet device use and activities with depression in Chinese adolescents: gender and geographical differences

PURPOSE

Chinese adolescents are increasingly using multiple devices to engage in various Internet activities. This study examined whether the associations of diverse Internet device use and distinct activities with depression among Chinese adolescents differed by gender and geographical location.

METHODS

We used data from China Family Panel Studies (CFPS), a national survey conducted in 2020.

RESULTS

Regarding gender differences, time spent on mobile devices and frequency of watching short videos were associated with higher levels of depression in girls, while the opposite was true for boys. Regarding geographical differences, moderate use of mobile devices (1-3 h per day) and desktop devices (< 1 h per day), including watching short videos and posting low-frequency on WeChat Moments, were associated with lower risk of depression among rural adolescents. Long-time desktop device use (> 1 h per day), playing online games, daily online learning, and posting high-frequency on WeChat Moments could increase their risk of depression. In contrast, desktop device usage and moderate mobile device use (1-3 h per day), represented by watching short videos and posting low-frequency on WeChat Moments, were related to depression among adolescents in provincial capitals, prefecture-level cities, or counties. Daily online learning, playing games, and posting WeChat Moments frequently could relieve their depression.

CONCLUSION

The risk factors for depression related to Internet device use and activity varied between adolescents across genders and geographical locations.

Urban-Rural Differences in the Association Between Internet Use Trajectories and Depressive Symptoms in Chinese Adolescents: Longitudinal Observational Study

BACKGROUND

Internet use exhibits diverse trajectories during adolescence, which may contribute to depressive symptoms. Currently, it remains unclear whether the association between internet use trajectories and depressive symptoms varies between urban and rural areas.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to investigate the association between internet use trajectories and adolescent depressive symptoms and to explore variation in this association between urban and rural areas.

METHODS

This longitudinal study used 3-wave data from the 2014-2018 China Family Panel Study. Weekly hours of internet use and depressive symptoms were measured using self-reported questionnaires. Latent class growth modeling was performed to identify the trajectories of internet use. Multivariable logistic regressions were used to examine the association between internet use trajectories and depressive symptoms, stratified by rural and urban residence.

RESULTS

Participants were 2237 adolescents aged 10 to 15 years at baseline (mean age 12.46, SD 1.73 years). Two latent trajectory classes of internet use were identified: the low-growth group (n=2008, 89.8%) and the high-growth group (n=229, 10.2%). The high-growth group was associated with higher odds of depressive symptoms (OR 1.486, 95% CI 1.065-2.076) compared to the low-growth group. In the stratified analysis, the association between internet use trajectories and depressive symptoms was significant solely among rural adolescents (OR 1.856, 95% CI 1.164-2.959).

CONCLUSIONS

This study elucidates urban-rural differences in the associations between trajectories of internet use and adolescent depressive symptoms. Our findings underscore the importance of prioritizing interventions for rural adolescents' internet use behaviors to mitigate negative effects on their mental health.

Rise of netholicism: A comprehensive review of internet addiction among today's youth

The rise of internet addiction among today's youth, termed "netholicism," has become a pressing concern in the digital era. The pervasive nature of internet usage among youth, driven by factors such as individual vulnerabilities, societal norms, and addictive online activities, contributes to the development of problematic internet use. Excessive internet use has profound psychological effects, including depression, anxiety, and social isolation, while also leading to physical consequences such as sedentary lifestyles and sleep disturbances. This comprehensive review explores the multifaceted aspects of internet addiction, from its psychological and physical impacts to its social and spiritual ramifications. This article uses a literature review methodology to analyze research on the pervasive nature of internet usage, termed "netholicism," among youth. It synthesizes and evaluates prior findings to understand the factors contributing to netholicism and young individuals' involvement in internet usage following the ramifications of netholicism are reflective psychological, physical, sociological, and spiritual effects in every domain on youth. The study analyzed 50 articles from reputable online databases, focusing on internet usage. Out of the 50 articles, 16 were cited, meeting inclusion criteria, including publication within 2019-2024, rigorous peerreview, and reputable database indexing. As per the findings of the research, it has been observed that netholicism (or internet addiction) represents a complex and multifaceted phenomenon with the underlying factors contributing to internet addiction and its psychological, physical, social, and spiritual impacts. Socially, internet addiction hinders real-life connections and emotional intelligence, while ethically and spiritually, it raises concerns about identity and moral relativism in the digital realm. Interventions and treatment approaches encompass psychoeducation, therapy, and digital literacy promotion. Looking ahead, the proliferation of internet addiction poses challenges exacerbated by technological advancements, requiring collaborative efforts to mitigate its adverse effects and promote a healthier relationship with technology among future generations.

Examining the interplay between physical activity, problematic internet use and the negative emotional state of depression, anxiety and stress: insights from a moderated mediation path model in university students

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between Problematic Internet Use (PIU), emotional states of stress, anxiety and depression, and the practice of physical activity among Tunisian students.

METHODS

Cross-sectional data were collected from 976 university students aged 20.76 ± 1.63 years (46.8% female). They filled out an online survey comprised of a socio-demographic questionnaire, the depression, anxiety and stress scale- 21 items (DASS-21), the international physical activity questionnaire (IPAQ) and the compulsive internet use scale (CIUS). Students were divided, based on their economic levels, into three groups: low (n = 256, 26.23%), medium (n = 523, 53.59%) and high (n = 197, 20.18%).

RESULTS

Mediation analysis: Indirect effects of IPAQ and gender on DASS-21 were highlighted: β= -0.18 (p < 0.01) and β= -0.04, P < 0.01) respectively. In addition, a significant and negative effect of IPAQ on CIUS was demonstrated (β = -0.45, P < 0.01). In addition, the effect of CIUS on DASS-21 was significant (β = 0.39, P < 0.01). Also, the effect of gender on CIUS was significant (β=-0.10, P < 0.01) However, its effect on DASS-21 was not significant (β = 0.05, p = 0.078). The total effect of IPAQ on DASS21 was significant (β= -0.52, p < 0.01) but the effect of Gender on DASS-21 was not significant (β = 0.01, p = 0.817). Moderation analysis: the results showed a significant moderation effect of the interaction between IPAQ and Gender on CIUS (β = 0.07, p < 0.01). However, it was not significant between Gender and CIUS on DASS-21 (β = 0.09, p = 0.390) and between IPAQ and Gender on DASS21 (β = 0.01, p = 0.736) Also, the interaction between IPAQ and CIUS did not have a significant moderation effect on DASS-21 (β = 0.15, p = 0.115).

CONCLUSIONS

Findings suggest that relationships between PIU and negative emotional state of depression, anxiety and stress are mediated via physical exercise. These results underscore the importance of the physical activity factor in the studies analyzing longitudinal effects of PIU on mental health outcomes.

The impact of internet use on adolescents' health: empirical evidence from China

Background

With the continuous improvement in economic levels in various countries and the rapid development of the Internet, adolescents' Internet use has become increasingly frequent. Many studies have explored the relationship between Internet use and adolescent health, but the possible mechanisms involved are unclear, and few have focused on Chinese adolescents.

Methods

Based on the data from the China Family Panel Studies 2010, 2014, 2016, 2018, and 2020, this study used the ordered probit model and OLS model to explore the impact of Internet use on self-rated health and mental health of Chinese adolescents and analyzed the possible mechanisms and heterogeneity involved.

Results

The results revealed that adolescents' Internet use negatively affected their physical and mental health. Parent-child conflict, academic performance, and self-efficacy were the important mechanisms of internet use affecting adolescents' health. Moreover, the negative effects of Internet use on adolescents' physical and mental health were heterogeneous in boarding, mother's education level, and family per capita income.

Conclusion

Adolescents exhibit a pattern of using the internet that influences their health status. Our finding that internet use may decrease adolescents' health provides important insights into understanding the relationship between internet use behavior and adolescents' health and suggests that intervention should be taken on adolescents' internet use.

The association between Internet use and cognitive ability among rural left-behind children in China

Introduction

This study focuses on the cognitive development of rural children aged 10-15 who have been left behind, utilizing data from the China Family Panel Studies (CFPS) datasets of 2016 and 2020. The primary objective is to investigate the correlation between Internet usage and the cognitive ability of these children.

Methods

An Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) regression model was initially employed to explore the potential influence of Internet use on the cognitive ability of rural left-behind children. To meticulously address potential endogeneity, we employed the instrumental variable (IV) method. Additionally, we performed robustness checks using Propensity Score Matching (PSM) to ensure the reliability of our findings.

Results

The findings indicate a statistically significant positive correlation between Internet usage and the cognitive ability of left-behind rural children. Notably, the impact of Internet use is more pronounced in girls than in boys among this demographic. Furthermore, a significant influence of Internet usage on the cognitive ability is observed in rural children aged 10-12, whereas no significant correlation is found for those aged 13-15. Particularly noteworthy is the substantial impact of Internet use on the cognitive ability of left-behind children with an absent father. In addition, the cognitive benefits associated with Internet use were notably more pronounced among rural left-behind children, especially when considering factors such as attendance at a demonstration school and parental concern for the child's education.

Conclusion

This study underscores the importance of understanding the relationship between Internet usage and cognitive development in left-behind rural children. These findings highlight the need for targeted interventions and inclusive access to online resources for the development of rural left-behind children.

Physical Activity, Screen Time, and Academic Burden: A Cross-Sectional Analysis of Health among Chinese Adolescents

This paper aims to analyze the effects of physical activity, screen time, and academic burden on adolescent health in China and compare their effects by using the nationally representative sample data from the CEPS (China Educational Panel Survey) cross-section data. This paper first uses regression analysis to examine the relationship between physical activity, screen time, academic burden and health among Chinese adolescents. Then, this paper uses the clustering analysis the influence of physical activity, screen time, and academic burden on the health of Chinese adolescents. The empirical results show that: (1) along with exercise, helping with the housework also has a clear health-promoting effect on adolescents; (2) the time spent surfing the Internet or playing video games, and heavy studying or homework off campus have a negative effect on adolescents' self-rated health and mental health; (3) physical activity has the greatest impact on self-rated health, while screen time has the greatest impact on mental health, and academic burden is not the most important factor affecting adolescent health in China.

Discovering childhood in contemporary China: Toward a multisystems perspective

Despite the remarkable improvements that have been achieved in the field of child development in contemporary China, there remain daunting challenges. To explore and address these issues, we organize this special issue "Child development in contemporary China: Toward a multisystems perspective." In this collection, we introduce theoretically-informed empirical research conducted by scholars worldwide and organize these research articles into four general themes: policy/program intervention regarding child development, migration status and child development, parenting/grandparenting and child development, and school/after-school engagement and child development. These articles keep abreast of theoretical, methodological, and practical innovations in the field, aiming to provide new evidence to enrich the understanding of the patterns and potential mechanisms that would lead to a (dis)advantaged childhood in China.

The association between internet use and depression among older adults in China: The mediating role of social networks

Objective

In the aging world, the depression of older adults has aroused great concern. It brings detrimental side effects to old adults and the sustainability of society. The information and communication technologies have reshaped how people live among which the Internet has gained much popularity in the senior community. This study aims to explore the association between Internet use and depression in older adults.

Methods

This study applied a representative national dataset (China Longitudinal Aging Social Survey, CLASS 2018) to examine by conducting regression analysis. Inspired by the social capital theory, we further examined the mediating role of general social networks (as a general concept) and specific networks (family and friend networks) in reducing depression. All calculations and analyses were conducted by STATA.

Results

(a) Internet use significantly reduces depressive symptoms among Chinese older adults; (b) internet use enhances social network support for Chinese older adults; and (c) social networks in general and family networks and friend networks in specific all play a mediating role between internet use and depression symptoms.

Conclusion

This work proved that internet use could reduce depression levels in older adults in China, and social networks, including family networks and friend networks, have a mediation role in the relationship between internet use and depression in older adults in China. Combined with the Chinese social context, we explained that the existence of an empty-nest elderly community in Chinese society and the emphasis on kinship in Chinese tradition may be the reasons. Based on the main findings, tailor-made suggestions for addressing depression issues among older adults were discussed.