The Relationship between Internet Use and Mental Health among Chinese Residents during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-sectional Study

Objectives: Since the outbreak of COVID-19, Internet use has become more frequent as the reaction to quarantine and social distancing have continued, which has had a significant impact on mental health. The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between Internet use and mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: We obtained data from the 2020 China Family Panel Study (CFPS), a nationwide typical longitudinal follow-up social survey that began in 2010 and is implemented every 2 years. We assessed Internet use by whether or not people used a mobile device or a computer to access the Internet. We measured the mental health of individuals using values for the depression variable, which was collected through the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D). Statistical analysis involved independent sample t-tests and multiple linear regression analysis. Results: Internet use was significantly associated with a decrease in depression scores; the length of Internet use was significantly associated with an increase in depression scores. The relationship between various Internet functions and depression scores differed significantly, with gaming and social functions being significantly associated with a decrease in depression scores; shopping and learning functions were not significantly associated with depression scores. For youth, play functioning was significantly associated with a decrease in depression scores, while shopping functioning was significantly associated with an increase in depression scores; for the middle-aged group, social functioning was significantly associated with a decrease in depression scores; and for the elderly, social and shopping functioning were significantly associated with a decrease in depression scores. Conclusion: Public mental health can be promoted through the use of the Internet during the COVID-19 pandemic. Different groups should make reasonable use of Internet functions but control the length of time spent using them.