Internet Addiction In Children: How It Leads To Anxiety And Sleep Deprivation

Nowadays, individuals across generations use the internet. However, it is children and teens who seem to use it a lot more than others. They use the internet for various reasons, from online tuitions to staying connected with their peers and family.

However, Excessive Internet Use (EIU) can cause a child or a teen to develop internet addiction or Compulsive Internet Use (CIU), which can have several ill effects. It can also result in a range of harmful behaviors such as wrongful use of social media, impulsive online buying, excessive video gaming, and online gaming,  collectively termed Problematic Use of the Internet (PUI).

Let's look at some of the effects of internet addiction on children and teens.

Negative effects of Internet addiction

1. Anxiety, sadness, and depression

Children and teens who spend most of their time in the virtual world gradually withdraw from the real world. They soon become dependent on the internet to feel upbeat, accepted, and heard. And when they are unable to access the Internet, they start experiencing anxiety, sadness, and depression.

2. Unable to keep schedules

Teens use the internet for several tasks like searching for information, correspondence, paying bills, and financial transactions. However, in the case of internet addicts, they spend most of their time engaged in browsing, chatting, or gaming. They neglect school work and relationships and lose track of time in the real world.

3. Sleep deprivation:

Most kids and teens own smartphones and/or tablets, which they carry with them wherever they go, even to bed. They spend hours into the night on the internet. While well-adjusted teens may log off after a while, those addicted to the internet continue to browse for long hours. As a result, they suffer sleep-related issues irregular sleep time, sleep deprivation, wakefulness, and late mornings. Such sleep disturbances manifest as symptoms of anxiety and depression.

4. Social isolation:

Those who spend a lot of time on the internet tend to hang out in multiple online communities. Disconnected from the real world, they build a virtual world of friends and relationships, mostly with strangers. To stay connected in their virtual world, they end up becoming addicted to the internet.

5. Dishonesty and lying:

Almost all internet addicts understand that they have a problem. However, when confronted or questioned by family members or friends, they try to conceal it by either lying or being dishonest about the time they spend on the Internet.

6. Mood changes:

Internet addicts use the Internet to destress and boost their mood. They feel happy or euphoric when they are connected to the internet. When unable to access the internet, they become restless, angry, and even violent.

The negative impact of the Internet on society

Irresponsible and indiscriminate use of the internet also negatively impacts society. Here's how:

• Less interaction with the family leads to the breakdown of family relationships.
• Less time spent bonding with real-world friends leads to a breakdown in social relationships.
• Exposure to false information and negative propaganda misleads children and makes them easy victims of indoctrination.
• Mental stress from exposure to cyberbullying and online stalking contributes to mental health issues.
• The high risk of falling victim to online scams and phishing attacks, and financial losses.

If your child or teen has gadgets that help them connect to the internet whenever they want to, be aware of the above-mentioned negative effects. You must exercise control over your child's excessive internet usage for the sake of their physical and mental health.

And, if you suspect that your teen is an internet addict or is on their way to becoming one, do seek help from a qualified mental health practitioner.

Last updated on: July 25, 2025