The Impact of the Internet on HealthPositive and concerning aspects of internet use.

Highlights:

• Postive aspects of the Internet: easier access to resources and global communication.
• Concerning aspects of the Internet: medical such as overweight, underweight; mental health problems such as lack of impulse control, difficulties in executive functioning, risky behaviors, a possible addition such as gambling, porn, online shopping etc.

The ubiquity and accessibility of the Internet has created a drastic shift in modern culture (Omole & Ayeni, 2013). Over the past two decades, the production of a variety of technological devices such as smartphones, laptops, and iPads has made the Internet accessible to a majority of the American population. While the Internet has positive aspects, such as easier access to resources and global communication, multiple researchers have found troubling associations between increased Internet use and medical/mental health problems (Belanger et al., 2011; Bush, Manders, & de Leeuw, 2013; Cassidy-Bushrow et al., 2015; Kelleci & Inal, 2010; & Lim et al., 2014). A number of individuals may also demonstrate an ‘addiction’ to the Internet (Aboujaoude et al., 2006; Block, 2008; Cardak, 2013; West, 2005).

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