depressive symptoms

Experts also opined that "rows with parents and boyfriend troubles" might be the leading factor behind the development of mental problems in girls beginning their monthly periods sooner.

Hormonal fluctuations and sudden attention from the opposite sex are other reasons behind the psychological distress in teenagers.

"Early maturing girls may feel isolated, and faced with demands which they are not emotionally prepared for," the New York Daily News quoted lead researcher Dr. Carol Joinson of the School of Social and Community Medicine at Bristol University, as saying.

The study published in the journal Psychopathology, found that the more time people spent online, the more likely they were to be depressed.

Study leader Dr Catriona Morrison, from the Institute of Psychological Sciences at the University of Leeds, said, "The internet now plays a huge part in modern life, but its benefits are accompanied by a darker side.