Internet usage is so common today. But a study found that using the Internet excessively can damage the adolescent brain that makes one part of the brain tends to wrinkle.The scientists found no signs of atrophy (shrinkage) in the gray matter in the brains of adolescent heavy internet user gets worse over time.This can affect the level of concentration and memory, as well as the ability of adolescents to make decisions and objectives are implemented. It also can reduce barriers and encourage teenagers to inappropriate behavior.This conclusion is derived from research conducted using MRI brain scans of 18 students aged 19 years who spend 8 to 13 hours a day to play online games, six days a week.Students classified as Internet addicts after answering eight questions, including whether they have tried to quit using the internet and whether they lied to family members about the amount of time they spend online.The results of the comparison with the control group showed that teenage Internet addicts suffered damage to the gray matter in the wrinkled surface of the brain (cortex), which is where the processing of memory, emotion, language skills, vision, hearing and motor control.
Researchers also found changes in brain tissue called white matter, which pass messages between different regions of gray matter in the nervous system.According to researchers, this disorder may make adolescents more dependent on the internet and have to face the risk of having IAD (Internet addiction disorder)."Our results suggest that long-term Internet addiction will lead to changes in brain structure," explained researcher who is a neurologist and radiologist at the university and hospitals in China, as reported by Dailymail on Monday (7/18/2011).The results of this study have been published in the journal PLoS ONE.