Mediaboss Marketing

By Roger Dobson

PUBLISHED: 16:19 EST, 14 July 2012 | UPDATED: 16:19 EST, 14 July 2012

Internet use has been blamed for mental health problems and social isolation among young people but new research suggests that silver surfers are less likely to suffer depression.

The study, based on a survey of almost 8,000 men and women aged over 50, shows that regular users of social-networking sites are almost a third less likely to be diagnosed with depression compared with non-users.

It is known that rates of depression increase with age. Research from the University of Illinois found the incidence of depression was at its lowest around the age of 45, and highest among the over-80s.

Silver surfer: Regular users of social-networking sites are almost a third less likely to be diagnosed with depression compared with non-users

Prevalence increases from five per cent at the age of 70 to 13 per cent at 85.

Loneliness, social isolation and lack of emotional support are among the reasons for the trend.

In the new study the biggest so far on the health effects of internet use among older people participants were asked whether they regularly used the internet and were then assessed for mental illness.

Our findings suggest that internet use has a positive effect on depression, says Dr Shelia Cotten, who led the research at the University of Alabama and other centres.

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Over 50s who regularly use social networking sites less likely to suffer with depression