Breaking: People Who Are Constantly Online May Develop Mental Disorders

This would be a follow-up to that anti-semitic article from Tablet.

“High quantitative use was a central link between computer use and stress, sleep disturbances, and depression, described by the young adults,” Thomee said in the study. “It was easy to spend more time than planned at the computer (e.g., working, gaming, or chatting), and this tended to lead to time pressure, neglect of other activities and personal needs (such as social interaction, sleep, physical activity), as well as bad ergonomics, and mental overload.”

The study found a correlation between stress and always being available on the phone.

“Demands for availability originated not only from work and the social network, but also from the individual’s own ambitions or desires. This resulted in disturbances when busy or resting, the feeling of never being free, and difficulties separating work and private life,” Thomee explained in the study. “Unreturned calls or messages led to overload and feelings of guilt.”

Right, I think people have a bad case of that last bit. The "I've Always Got To Be Connected To the Machine" syndrome. (Not me, though! As you can see from my dereliction of duty on weekends.)

On sleep disorder:

I find that the computer screen is inherently stimulating, whether it's the light or the pattern of eye movements when using it. I've found that I personally can't sleep for at least 90 minutes or more after I turn off the computer -- so if I want to go to sleep by 1 am, I'd better turn off the computer by 11:00 or 11:30.

Anyone else find that? When I started shifting to Kindle at night (or TV -- but TV with, get this, no multitasking on the computer), I found it wasn't as hard to fall asleep when I went to bed.

posted by Ace at 07:21 PM

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