Internet addiction may be more susceptible to children and teenagers who are already suffering from depression. After a new survey was conducted on 2,293 seventh grade students from Taiwan, 10.8 percent developed an Internet addiction. The researchers in Taiwan, followed the children for two years and found that ADHD and hostility were linked to Internet addiction as children focused their energies and escapism to online. In girls especially social phobia and depression enhanced the addiction to the internet. However, boys are at a higher risk than girls to become addicted especially if they use the internet more than 20 hours a week. Asia seems to be more concerned about this currently than the US. But as the internet becomes more intertwined in our everyday life – we as a society should also start to take this more seriously, instead of just making the internet this generation’s babysitter.

[CNN.Com]