Associations of Diverse Internet Device Use and Activities with Depression in Chinese Adolescents: Gender and Geographical Differences

Abstract Background After the COVID-19 outbreak, Chinese adolescents are increasingly dependent on the Internet. They use multiple devices and engage in various Internet activities. This study explored the associations of mobile/desktop device use and five popular activities with depression in different subgroups of Chinese adolescents. The classification of subgroups was based on gender and geographic disparities in digital technology use. Methods Data were from China Family Panel Studies (CFPS) in 2020 and included 2,877 primary and secondary school students aged 10-19 years. We employed the ordinary least squares regression models with interaction terms to observe the gender and geographical differences in the relationship between diverse Internet device use and activities and depression. Results Only prolonged Internet use, whether on all devices or either one, was found to be positively associated with their risk of depression; using the desktop device for less than 1 hour was found to have the opposite effect. Online learning and gaming occasionally, shopping, and posting WeChat Moments frequently were positively linked with depression. Subsequently, mobile device usage time and the frequency of viewing short videos were positively associated with girls’ risk of depression, while in boys, opposite associations were observed. Furthermore, for rural adolescents, despite the adverse effects of prolonged desktop device use, using mobile devices for 1 to 3 hours or desktop devices for less than 1 hour was associated with their reduced risk of depression. Less frequency of online learning, games, and posting WeChat Moments, or increased frequency of watching short videos, could mitigate their risk of depression. These Internet use variables exhibited different associations with depression risk among adolescents in provincial capitals, prefecture-level cities, and counties. Conclusion Our study demonstrates that using mobile/desktop devices and engaging in various online activities can lead to disparate benefits and risks for Chinese adolescents, depending on their gender and geographic location. Findings guide parents and caregivers in helping children develop healthy and balanced Internet usage habits, considering children’s gender and residential area.