A Bengaluru study by the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS) has found that problematic internet use can alter brain function in young adults, weakening executive control while amplifying pleasure-seeking circuits. The research, led by Dr Rajesh Kumar from the Department of Clinical Psychology, compared 26 treatment-seeking participants with problematic internet use (PIU) to 26 matched controls aged 18–25.
Problematic internet use and the developing brain
Investigators identified PIU not merely by hours online but by features common to addictive disorders: loss of control over use, repeated unsuccessful attempts to cut back, and frequent use to escape negative emotions. Using a battery of neuropsychological tests, the team found that individuals with PIU had notable difficulties with sustained attention, took longer on vigilance tasks, and displayed reduced cognitive flexibility when switching between mental tasks.
Dr Kumar explained that two interacting brain systems underlie the behaviour. The limbic system drives impulsive, reward-seeking behaviour, while the prefrontal cortex governs planning, decision-making and self-control. As the prefrontal cortex continues to mature into the early to mid-twenties, an earlier-developing reward system can predispose younger adults to sensation-seeking and impulsive choices.
The study’s results suggest PIU suppresses prefrontal functions while heightening activity in regions associated with immediate pleasure. That imbalance favours short-term gratification over longer-term planning, researchers said. Emotion regulation was especially affected: participants struggled to manage negative feelings and to pursue goals during emotional distress. Higher levels of anxiety and impulsivity were also recorded among the PIU group.
Researchers theorise that rapid content switching and continuous scrolling may reconfigure the brain’s reward responses. “When you are scrolling very fast, dopamine becomes dysregulated, releasing quickly,” Dr Kumar said. He added that activities requiring sustained effort before gratification can feel monotonous once someone becomes accustomed to instant rewards, which may drive further reliance on internet activities to relieve negative emotions.
Methodologically, the study controlled for age, education and gender and used standard neuropsychological measures to assess attention, cognitive flexibility and emotional control. Although the sample size was modest, the findings align with broader concerns about how high-frequency digital consumption can affect cognitive and emotional processes in young people.
Implications and recommended interventions
The authors recommend multi-pronged interventions that strengthen emotional regulation, reduce impulsivity and bolster cognitive control through targeted exercises. Clinicians at the SHUT clinic and the Centre for Addiction Medicine (CAM) unit at NIMHANS underscore the importance of early identification and structured behavioural therapies that focus on alternative reward systems and paced engagement with digital media.
Public-health responses could include digital literacy programmes for young people, parental guidance on healthy device habits and clinical pathways for those showing addictive patterns. Further research with larger samples and longitudinal designs will be needed to determine whether the observed brain changes reverse with treatment or behaviour modification.
The study adds to an expanding international evidence base that problematic internet use carries measurable cognitive and emotional consequences for young adults and points to practical strategies to mitigate potential harm.
Key Takeaways:
- NIMHANS study links problematic internet use to reduced prefrontal control and heightened reward-centre activity in young adults.
- Participants with problematic internet use showed impaired sustained attention, reduced cognitive flexibility and poorer emotion regulation.
- Researchers warn rapid scrolling may dysregulate dopamine and recommend interventions targeting emotional regulation, impulsiveness and cognitive control.
