Depression-prone teenagers use the Internet more often and longer than other teens, according to a survey released yesterday.
According to the research, while 30.9 percent of those who describe themselves as being able to cope with their emotions spend more than five hours online per day, that number rises to 36.8 percent for those who described themselves as often being frustrated and upset.
The survey, which was conducted by the John Tung Foundation in May and June, questioned 6,341 teens at 60 junior and senior high schools across the country.
"The link between teenage depression and widespread Internet use sheds light on family dysfunction," said Tung Yuk-ying (董旭英), associate professor of education at National Cheng Kung University who advised the project. "When our teenagers need help, more and more prefer the Internet to family support and school counseling."
The dwindling of the traditional family and the increase in pressure on teens to excel academically, Tung said, has made teenagers less willing to turn to their parents for help with their problems.
"In a society which values a diploma more than a person's integrity, parents often attach too much importance to their children's performance on tests," Tung said. "The family can become the major source of pressure and cause of depression."
Another expert urged adults to keep their children from spending too much time online.
"Why do adults allow computers to become the sole vehicle of social interaction for some children?" said Wu Yu-yu (
The survey also indicated that most teens go online to play games and chat with friends, rather than for information.
"The immediacy of online communication has fueled the Internet's popularity among teenagers," said Yeh Ya-hsing (
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