Research

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m2248/is_138_35/ai_66171001/
This website discusses the links between internet use and depression in adolescents. It contains a number of studies that show these links. For example one study is as follows. Randomly selected families were given computers for their homes. After 1 to 2 years the increased internet use had been linked to a decrease in family communication and reduced size of a social circle. The participants also suffered from increased loneliness and depression.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/8493149.stm
This is another website including studys and the links to depression from internet use. This states that a number of internet users had developed a compulsive internet habit replacing real life interaction with online and social networking. Depression is closely linked to excessive internet use. However they are not sure which comes first. Whether they are already depressed and the internet makes it worse or the internet cause the depression? The facts in this article will be useful for us as it shows the links between internet use and depression. Although as they say they are not sure what comes first they clearly state that the internet does not help the depression.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internet_addiction_disorder