A recent study found a link between depression and use of the Internet. What, if any, hypotheses have been advanced to explain this?

-- Phil

I was wondering when someone was going to ask me about the Internet-and-depression study. Actually, that study has been criticized on several grounds -- one important one being the selection of the population studied.

The researchers solicited people who were NOT already using computers, gave them equipment and trained them to use it. Thus, they artificially created a group of Internet users -- rather than examining people who had naturally started to use computers and the Internet on their own and thus might incorporate them into their lives somewhat differently.

Another criticism is that the researchers conceptualized the Internet as a social medium rather than an information medium. As a social medium, cyberspace probably does pale in comparison to "real life," and reliance upon it for social contacts might well interfere with the development and maintenance of important personal real-world relationships. But as an information medium -- a means of fairly easily accessing a wealth of information -- the Internet may well excel.

It's not clear whether the association found between depression and increased Internet use is causal -- that is, whether higher Internet use leads to depression -- or if depressed people are more likely to use the Internet. It's possible, for instance, that people who have problems relating to others in real life may gravitate toward "safer" Internet relationships. And that may well increase their emotional and interpersonal problems, as they increasingly snub the real world -- family, friends, job -- for cyberspace.

Regardless of the validity concerns and interpretations of the Internet study, we'd all benefit from turning off the computer regularly and spending time with loved ones. I recommend that we all strive for balance in online and offline activities, making sure to cultivate real-world relationships and sources of pleasure -- and getting more exercise than tapping a mouse or keyboard.