- A new study finds a strong association between dark web use and mental health issues.
- Researchers suggest many dark web users may be seeking safer places than the surface web.
- The study emphasizes that online behavior can predict underlying mental health issues.
The dark web is a deeper level of the internet that not many use, but those who use it may need to have a second thought. A new study has revealed links between the use of it and mental health struggles.
The study published in Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking on November 18th revealed a clear distinction between those who use the surface web and the dark web. Symptoms like depression, paranoia, suicidal thoughts, non-suicidal self-injury, and digital self-harm were found to be prevalent in dark web users.
Mentally Ill Persons Seek refuge in Dark Web
For those not familiar with it, the dark web is the hidden and encrypted part of the internet that regular web browsers can’t find. Identities are fully shielded there, meaning no one can find out the real users identity using regular research tactics. It is therefore used mainly by people seeking anonymity so they can be themselves. However, it has also been linked to criminal activities many times in the past.
The study tested a belief that has endured for ages that mentally ill people prefer to use the dark web. According to the designer of the space Ryan C. Meldrum, Ph.D, it was built partly as a shielded psychological environment that provides refuge to those who feel watched, judged, or insecure.
This research involving 2,000 American adults was used to test Meldrum’s belief that apart from curiosity or privacy concerns, mental illness can also motivate people to use the dark web. The study confirmed this as people with mental health issues showed a strong tendency to use the dark net. The team from Florida Atlantic University wrote:
“Our findings suggest that many individuals who turn to the dark web may be doing so not just for privacy concerns, but as a reflection of deeper mental health struggles and the possible desire to socialize and engage in information-seeking in a context free of scrutiny that might otherwise be experienced on the surface web or offline.”
Internet Habits as Predictor of Mental Health
The internet has been an important resource for decades, but how we use it can reveal our mental state. While using the dark web doesn’t cause mental health issues, it can reliably predict mental health issues in users. Parents, clinicians and policy makers are therefore encouraged to understand this to help victims.
Meanwhile, another study has also implicated long screen time and internet junk as causes of mental health issues like depression, anxiety, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, etc. Suggesting the need to pay more attention to how internet use in general can affect everyone.
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