Asocial Kids Prefer Internet

 Teens with ADHD, hostility, social phobia, or depression may be more likely to become addicted to the Internet, according to a new study.

Photo: Asocial Kids Prefer Internet

  Researchers in Taiwan examined the relationship between psychiatric symptoms and Internet addiction in 2,162 junior high students over a period of two years.  About 11% of study participants were classified as having an Internet addiction in the initial assessment.

  Chih-Hung Ko, MD and colleagues from Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital in Kaohsiung City, Taiwan found that being male, playing online games, and using the Internet daily for more than 20 hours a week were risk factors for addiction.

   Over the two-year follow-up, ADHD was the most significant predictor, followed by hostility. For boys, hostility was the greatest predictor, and for girls ADHD was the greatest predictor. Social phobia and depression were predictors only in girls.

   Online addiction can be destructive and should be taken seriously, researchers say in their report. The addiction can hurt school performance, family relationships, and adolescents' emotional state, according to background information in the study. Reported by WedMD.