14 hours of internet surfing per week can lead to Hypertension

Even teenagers who spend around 14 hours a week surfing the internet could be at a risk for high blood pressure and weight gain, researchers say.

Out of 134 teens described by researchers as heavy internet users, 26 had elevated blood pressure. This is believed to be the first study to show a link between time spent on the internet and high blood pressure.

Earlier research that has shown an association between heavy internet use and other health risks like addiction, anxiety, depression, obesity and social isolation.

‘Using the internet is part of our daily life but it shouldn’t consume us. In our study, teens considered heavy internet users were on the internet an average of 25 hours a week,’ said Andrea Cassidy-Bushrow, a researcher at Henry Ford’s department of public health sciences.

‘It’s important that young people take regular breaks from their computer or smartphone, and engage in some form of physical activity. I recommend to parents they limit their children’s time at home on the internet. I think two hours a day, five days a week is good rule of thumb,’ Cassidy-Bushrow said.