[00:00:00] Are you addicted to the Internet? Did you know that excessive Internet use could be linked to higher anxiety and emotional struggles? Chinese researchers studied how avoiding painful thoughts and feelings relates to Internet addiction in Chinese college students. They investigated whether anxiety explains this link and if having trouble describing emotions makes it stronger. Over 1500 participants completed surveys on avoiding unpleasant thoughts and feelings and Internet addiction, anxiety symptoms and difficulty describing feelings.
[00:00:31] Students who avoid hard thoughts and feelings were more likely to develop Internet addiction. They experienced higher anxiety. Their having trouble describing feelings made their anxiety worse. Thus, emotional struggles may increase Internet addiction. Avoiding emotions can lead people to escape into the Internet instead of facing what they feel over time. This raises stress and makes it harder to build healthy coping and communication skills. The good news Naming your emotions and talking about them to find ways to cope may reduce Internet use and improve mental well being. So next time you feel the urge to scroll endlessly, ask what am I feeling? What is my next best step to handle my fears and life? Plan ahead.
