Spending excessive time online is associated with higher stress levels, worse mood, and greater neglect of other activities, according to a new analysis. The study, conducted by academics at the University of Duisburg-Essen, surveyed 900 German adults in 2025 who reported engaging in gaming, pornography use, social network use, or online shopping.
Participants completed daily assessments for two weeks, reporting their mood, stress levels, temptation for problematic internet use, and total time spent online. Problematic internet usage, defined as excessive use leading to functional impairment or distress, was linked to worse mood, more stress, longer internet use, and greater neglect of other life areas.
Andreas Oelker, a co-author, noted that the momentary urge to go online often determines engagement, with pleasure and relief acting as reinforcing factors. Silke M. Müller, another co-author, highlighted that only a small percentage of users develop pathological patterns, and internet use can be enriching if other important life areas are not systematically neglected.