The study assessed 1,000 teenagers in China with an average age of 15 years for depression and anxiety, reports the journal Archives of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine. It included questions such as: “How often do you feel depressed, moody or nervous when you are offline, which goes away once you are back online?”

　　Around 6 percent, or 62 teenagers, were classified as having moderately pathological internet use, while 0.2 per cent, or two teenagers, were deemed severely at risk. Nine months later they were re-assessed for depression and anxiety. More than 8 per cent, or 87 teenagers, had developed depression.

　　The study was carried out by Lawrence Lam of the School of Medicine in Sydney, Australia, and Peng Ziwen of the Ministry of Education and Sun Yat-sen University in Guangzhou, China.

　　“This result suggests that young people who are initially free of mental health problems but use the internet pathologically could develop depression as a consequence,” Mr. Lam said.

　　“对网络上瘾”的青少年得抑郁症的机率是一般青少年的二倍多。调查研究第一次明确表明，对网络“病态的迷恋”会引发心理健康疾病。

　　青少年医学和儿科档案杂志报道说，研究是基于对中国1000名平均年龄在15周岁患有抑郁和精神紧张的青少年调查得来。研究包括问题有，青少年在接触网络和远离网络时分别多久会感到抑郁、情绪低落和精神紧张。

　　大约有62名占总数的6%的青少年被列为得了中度“病态网络综合症”，0.2%， 两位青少年患有重度“病态网络综合症”。 九个月后，对这些青少年重新调查，发现超过8%，大约87名青少年的抑郁症加重了。

　　此项研究是由澳大利亚悉尼医学院的劳伦斯?兰姆和教育部彭咨文（音译）以及中国广东中山大学合作完成。

　　兰姆先生说，“调查研究结果表明，早期没有心理疾病的青少年过度上网会引发严重的抑郁症。”