Internet use is associated with greater wellbeing, global study finds

Researcher cautions against one-size-fits-all solutions' amid growing debate over impact, particularly on young people

Spending time online is often portrayed as something to avoid, but research suggests internet use is associated with greater wellbeing in people around the world.

The potential impact on wellbeing of the internet, and social media in particular, has become a matter of intense debate. Our analysis is the first to test whether or not internet access, mobile internet access and regular use of the internet relates to wellbeing on a global level," said Prof Andrew Przybylski, of the University of Oxford, who co-authored the work.