A study by the Public Library of Science found that teens who use internet devices excessively each day have disrupted signals between brain regions important to controlling attention and working memories.

The study used neuroimaging to monitor the brain activity of their subjects.

The findings are similar to the ABCD study by psychiatrist Dr. Chandra Sripada and others who say that understanding the internet’s impact on the brain is an important step toward finding a way to prevent adolescents from developing addictions.

"If you know what the markers of vulnerability are, you can prevent an individual by intervening in the interim,” said Sripada.

This issue is related to a bigger debate in Washington, where two bipartisan bills are aiming to protect children online.

"Predators can exploit or target kids, and for kids who struggle with mental health, social media can magnify their anguish,” said Sen. Chuck Schumer.

One of the bills focuses on improving privacy and the second requires social media companies to provide better protections for minors.

This includes giving guardians more control and limiting features like auto-play, which plays videos that users may not otherwise click on.

Doctors say the developing brain of adolescents can be negatively affected by too much time online. It can lead to problems with mental health, relationships, sleep and even daily functions like starting and finishing tasks.