Smartphones may be causing 'netbrain', say researchers

LONDON: About 11 per cent of British adults suffer from 'netbrain' - a disorder caused by overuse of the internet - and may show narcissism, distraction and fear of missing out, a new study has found.

Those suffering from 'netbrain' are more likely to be found gambling online, socialising on social networks and playing video games, researchers said.

The affliction is said to affect 5.7 million British adults, or 11 per cent of the population - the same proportion that suffers from dyslexia, researchers added.

Smartphone owners are nearly three times more likely to have netbrain and those suffering from the condition are nearly four times more likely to exhibit anti-social behaviour than those who do not, 'The Times' reported.

Nearly a third of adults aged 18 to 34 suffer from the condition, compared with 11 per cent of 35 to 54-year-olds and 4 per cent of those aged over 55, according to a study of 1,000 people conducted by VisualDNA, a London-based technology and psychometrics company, and University College London.

Netbrain has a "tangible effect on not only an individual's actions in various social situations but also their work-life tension," researchers said.

This showed the potential negative effects of an individual's relationship with technology, researchers said.