Researchers at Duisburg-Essen University surveyed around 900 participants to examine their internet-use habits.
BERLIN: Spending too much time online a habit that has become increasingly common in the digital age may have harmful effects on personality, according to a new study conducted in Germany.
Researchers at Duisburg-Essen University surveyed around 900 participants to examine their internet-use habits.
Based on the amount of time they spent online, participants were divided into three groups to assess how varying levels of internet use affected their behavior.
For two weeks, participants completed an evening questionnaire reporting their mood, stress levels, urge to use the internet, and the total time they spent online each day.
They also rated how enjoyable they found internet use and whether it interfered with other daily activities.
The study found that people who spent excessive time online were more likely to experience higher stress levels, increased irritability, and a tendency to neglect other aspects of their lives.
Researchers said a strong desire to go online often stemmed from the comfort and enjoyment users associated with internet activity.
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The researchers concluded that excessive internet use can have wide-ranging effects on daily life and personality, with the risks being greater for heavy users. The findings were published in the journal PLOS One.
