NEWS FROM THE WORLD OF MEDICINE

FREQUENT INTERNET USE: NOT ALWAYS BAD

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Spending chunks of your day on the Internet can be helpful or detrimental for your mental health, depending upon what you do there. A 2020 Canadian review linked social media use to mental distress among teens, in part because it can bring on a feeling that others look or live better than you do. On the other hand, in a 2021 British study, seniors who went online at least once a day during the pandemic lockdown tended to feel less depressed compared to those who accessed the Internet only once a week or less. The benefits include communicating with family and friends, finding inspiration for fun offline activities and enjoying a quick, feel-good distraction on a rough day. (Cat video, anyone?)

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