Indiana Ranked Among States Most Obsessed With Internet

Are Hoosiers really addicted to the internet? A psychologist believes so.

Image courtesy AT&T Savings, https://www.attsavings.com/resources/entertainment/the-most-internet-obsessed-states-in-the-us/.

(Indianapolis, Ind.) – A recent study by AT&T ranks Indiana in fifth place among states most obsessed with the internet. 

Psychologist Dr. John Huber says there can be long term serious consequences from too much screen time. 

“It’s truly a real addiction.  We know that when you get stimulated by, say, a ‘like’ on Instagram, we know your brain actually releases dopamine into your neuro sensors,” Huber explains.

The study says Indiana has one of the heaviest search volumes in the nation.  It also says half of the Indiana population, about three million residents, operates an Instagram account.  Huber says the more Hoosiers replace active past times with idle screen time, the more at risk they are for osteoporosis, heart disease and depression. 

Teens growing up addicted to their smartphones are more at risk for depression Huber says information and content on the internet is dispersed so quickly, that children are struggling to function in real life environments. 

“What we’re seeing is it’s very difficult for a lot of kids to transition into college and then off into a work environment where they feel like everything is moving at such a slow pace,” he says.

What’s more troubling, Huber says, is students are starting to be allowed on their cell phones more at school. 

“Teachers who are starting to use more and more online content are actually letting their kids be on their cell phones, because they kind of then take a shortcut and don’t have to do as much active teaching.”

AT&T's ranking placed Oregon, New Jersey, and Texas as the most internet-obsessed states. Alaska, South Dakota, and Idaho are the least obsessed.

Ohio ranked 18th while Kentucky was 27th.