Excessive Internet Usage and Depression

Gabbatt, A. (2010). Excessive internet use linked to depression, research shows. Retrieved from http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2010/feb/03/excessive-internet-use-depression

This article, which is found on the Guardian website, describes a study done by Leeds University’s Institute of Psychological Sciences. The study found that there is a link between Internet addiction and depression. However, it is not clear which comes first, depression or the addiction to the Internet. The study also discovered that the Internet addicts spent more time on sexually gratifying, gaming, and online community websites. This is an interesting subject that managers should take note of. With the ever increasing usage of the Internet in today’s business world, it is important that managers know how much and for what reason their employees are using the Internet. Additionally, as shown in this article, it important for managers to realize that excessive Internet usage by an employee could point to an underlying problem that could have a negative effect on the firm as well.