The number of students addicted to the Internet doubled in the first semester of the pandemic in summer 2020.

According to a study by the University of Mainz, 7.8 percent of the study participants showed clear signs of online addiction.

A year earlier, only 3.9 percent of students were affected.

Julia Schaaf

Editor in the "Life" section of the Frankfurter Allgemeine Sonntagszeitung.

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In many cases, the behavior disorder is associated with depressive symptoms, loneliness, but also with increased anxiety during the pandemic, according to the study, which will soon be published in the specialist journal "Addiction Therapy" and which is available to the FAS. The researchers clearly differentiated Internet addiction as excessive consumption with harmful effects from increased Internet activity without disruptive character, as was widespread, among other things, through the conversion of universities to online teaching.

Manfred Beutel, Director of the Clinic and Polyclinic for Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy at the University of Mainz, called the result alarming. With a view to the beginning of the winter semester, he said: “Personally, I believe that returning to university will not be easy. The students affected have a great need for active support. ”Beutel anticipates both performance losses and social difficulties.

As a result of the sharp rise in psychological stress on students as a result of the pandemic, the German Student Union is calling for its psychosocial counseling services to be expanded with state funds. Matthias Anbuhl, Secretary General of the German Student Union, told the FAS: “The effects of three digital semesters, especially isolation and depressive moods, cannot be remedied with one attendance semester. We assume that it will take up to four semesters for the consequences of the pandemic to be dealt with by the students. ”So far, the student union's advice centers have been largely financed by contributions from the students.

According to the German Rectors' Conference, a high proportion of face-to-face events is planned for the winter semester.

Students of the association “OnlineLeere” criticized that in addition to good reasons such as professors' previous illnesses, “banalities such as convenience” stand in the way.

Whether concepts are satisfactory has to be seen on a case-by-case basis.