Internet use: A boon or a bane during COVID-19

Abstract

The lockdown has seen an increase in the use of Internet among the public. It has also emphasized the need to look into the factors related to excessive use as well as its management. The clinical interview was carried out to understand the pattern of Internet use among cases presented to tertiary specialty clinic for the management of technology use. The clinical interview revealed an increased use of Internet immediately after the lockdown. The increased use was attributed to the modality of passing time with limited options of entertainment as well as to cope up with negative emotions. It implicates the need for building awareness about excessive use of Internet during lockdown as well as strategies to promote healthy use of technology.

Keywords

• internet use
• lockdown
• stress