2026-07-30 11:00:07

Spending excessive amounts of time online is linked to higher stress levels, worse moods and greater neglect of everyday activities, according to new research.

The study, carried out by academics at the University of Duisburg-Essen and published in PLOS One, examined the online habits of 900 German adults in 2025.

Participants reported using online services including gaming platforms, social networks, pornography sites and shopping websites at least once during the previous year.

Researchers categorised internet use as either non-problematic, risky or pathological depending on frequency and impact. Problematic internet use was defined as excessive engagement with online activities that caused distress or affected daily functioning.

Participants completed evening assessments over a two-week period, recording their mood, stress levels, temptation to go online, total internet use and whether online activity caused them to neglect other areas of life.

The findings showed that people with more severe problematic internet use experienced worse moods, increased stress, longer periods online and greater disruption to other activities.

Researchers also found that temptation was the strongest factor predicting whether someone continued using the internet, while pleasure and relief reinforced the behaviour.

Andreas Oelker, co-author of the study, said the urge to go online was more important than stress or mood alone when predicting internet behaviour.

He said: “More than actual stress or mood alone, it is the momentary urge to go online that determines whether people engage in online activities and experience both rewarding and harmful consequences.

“Helping people recognise and manage moments of temptation may be more effective than focusing on stress or mood alone.”

The researchers stressed that internet use itself is not harmful and can provide enjoyment, connection and stress relief when balanced with other parts of life.

Silke M. Müller, another co-author, said only a small proportion of users develop pathological patterns.

She said: “Using the internet brings joy, fun, and/or relief from stress in an enriching way as long as other important areas of life are not systematically neglected.”

Those areas include responsibilities, exercise, time outdoors and social activities, which researchers said are important for maintaining health and wellbeing.

The study adds to growing research into problematic internet use, with previous studies suggesting severe internet addiction may be linked to changes in brain activity and increased vulnerability to addictive behaviours.

However, researchers said understanding moments of temptation may offer a more effective route to prevention and support.

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