Interestingly, the participants did not have to be constantly online to feel the benefits. As little as one online activity per week meant positive effects on life satisfaction and mental health. — Image by Lifestylememory on Freepik
BEIJING: Elderly people may be able to improve their mental health by regularly using the internet to stay informed and connected to those around them, according to new research.
A study published in the journal Nature Human Behaviour in November found that people aged 50 and over who are online have fewer depressive symptoms on average.
The study, which analysed the tech habits of more than 87,000 adults, found elderly people who were often online had about 9% lower depression scores than those who weren't and were also more satisfied with their lives.
For people in the second half of their life, who may be less mobile or less active due to health restrictions, the internet can therefore have several valuable functions.
The study authors said that digital communication not only serves as a source of information, but also facilitates social networking. It can also help to maintain contact with family and friends and expand a person's social network.
According to the study, the positive effects were particularly pronounced among people over 65 who are single or have little social contact.
Interestingly, the participants did not have to be constantly online to feel the benefits. As little as one online activity per week meant positive effects on life satisfaction and mental health.
Qingpeng Zhang, one of the study authors from the University of Hong Kong, explained in a statement that these benefits were seen in all countries and underscore the potential of the internet as a tool to improve mental health worldwide.
However, it is also a question of dosage, and heavy internet usage would be expected to bring negative effects, particularly with social media usage.
Professor Andrea Wigfield from the UK's Centre for Loneliness Studies believes that while the internet can be an important tool for maintaining contacts, it is not a permanent alternative to direct social interaction in real life.
The internet can connect people, but it cannot replace the importance of real encounters, which are crucial for a sense of belonging, she told the magazine BBC Science Focus. – dpa
