There is a strong link between heavy internet use and depression, UK psychologists have said.
The study, reported in the journal Psychopathology, found 1.2% of people surveyed were “internet addicts”, and many of these were depressed.
The Leeds University team stressed they could not say one necessarily caused the other, and that most internet users did not suffer mental health problems.

The conclusions were based on 1,319 responses to an on-line questionnaire.
Recruitment was via links on social networking sites. People were asked how much they used the internet and for what purposes.
They were also asked a series of questions to assess whether they suffered from depression.
It should not be concluded, however; that heavy internet use causes depression. It is more likely in fact that those suffering symptoms associated with depression are likely to find longer periods of access to the internet fits more comfortably with their general well being, in comparison, perhaps, to getting a job or doing the washing up.
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