Nov 27, 2024 08:00:00

The internet may have a positive effect on mental health in people over 50

There have long been claims that internet use can lead to poor mental health, and there has been much attention paid to '

digital detoxes ,' which involve staying away from the internet and smartphones. However, a new study published in the academic journal Nature Human Behavior has found that internet use may actually improve mental health in people over the age of 50.

Positive association between Internet use and mental health among adults aged ≥50 years in 23 countries | Nature Human Behavior
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41562-024-02048-7

Internet use in adults over age 50 linked to better mental health
https://phys.org/news/2024-11-internet-adults-age-linked-mental.html

Mental health and the internet: Who benefits and who suffers? - Earth.com
https://www.earth.com/news/mental-health-and-the-internet-who-benefits-and-who-suffers/

While it has been widely noted that mental health among young people has worsened in recent years, mental health among middle-aged and older people is also a public health concern: a 2019 survey found that approximately 14% of people aged 55 and older reported experiencing mental disorders such as depression.

To understand the social aspects of mental health in middle-aged and older adults, a research team from the University of Hong Kong and City University of Hong Kong looked at data from six middle-aged cohorts collected in 23 middle- to high-income countries, including a total of 87,559 participants who were followed for a median of six years.

Using this data, the research team divided middle-aged and older adults into four groups: non-users, sporadic users (those who use the internet less than once a week), weekly users, and daily users. They then analyzed the association between these groups and mental health.

The analysis found that internet use was associated with improvements in a range of mental health problems among middle-aged and older people aged 50 and over.

Participants who were classified as 'weekly users' or 'daily users' reported fewer depressive symptoms, higher life satisfaction, and better self-reported health than participants who used the internet less frequently.

The researchers believe that the internet is a useful tool for facilitating social interactions and combating loneliness in people aged 50 and over, as well as helping them access health-related information and find entertainment, which in turn have a positive impact on mental health.

Previous studies have also shown that older people who use the Internet have a lower risk of dementia.

Research shows that elderly people who frequently use the internet have an overwhelmingly lower risk of dementia - GIGAZINE