Is the internet more or less beneficial to the psychological health of its users?

Is the internet more or less beneficial to the psychological health of its users?I sometimes can't tell whether I'm getting really depressed or entertained by the internet.

Answer by John Smith
well with all the websites, it is both. it depends on how it is used. it can be used to the users advantage if they know there preferences and us it in such a way, otherwise it can be quite harmful.

Answer by A Nail-Gun Is Not A Pillow
More and less...(I stand firm on that!) ...Seriously, I think it can be both, even at once. For people that can't or don't get out much, I think it's a good way to connect with humans outside your own world. The down side is, that it can become your primary way to communicate with others, even if it needn't be. I know for me it can be depressing to think that this is just substituting for a "real life." Whatever that is!... ;-)

Answer by Daniel Plainview
au contraire, we become physically detached from the world.

Answer by Mike Garcia
Yes, at large the internet has been shown to reduce depression and feeling of loneliness in populations studied. But the larger issue is if you are becoming incapable of engaging in face to face interpersonal relationships.

References
CTIA media (2010). Wireless quick facts. Retrieved from http://www.ctia.org/media/Indus
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DeWall, N.C., MacDonald, G., Webster, G.D., Masten, C.L., Baumeister, R.F., Powell, C., … Eisenberger, N.I. (2010). Acetaminophen reduces social pain: Behavioral an neural evidence. Psychological Science, 7, 931-937.

Kraut, R., Patterson, M., Lundmark, V., Kiesler, S., Mukopadhyay T., & Scherlis, W. (1998). Internet paradox: A social technology that reduces social involvement and psychological well-being? American Psychologist, 9, 1017-1031.

Panksepp, J.B. (1998). Affective Neuroscience. New York: Oxford University Press.

Panksepp, J.B., & Lahvis, G.P. (2007). Social reward among juvenile mice. Genes, Brain and Behavior. 6, 661-671.

Pierce, T. (2009). Social anxiety and technology: Face-to-face communication versus technological communication among teens. Computers in Human Behavior, 25, 1367-1372.

Shaw, L.H., & Gant, L.M. (2002). In defense of the internet:The relationship between internet communication and depression, loneliness, self-esteem, and perceived social support. Cyber Psychology and Behavior, 5, 157-171.

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