Seems like the article is mentioning both as possibilities. If the statement of the psychologist quoted is interpreted, she is stating depression came first but the Net is just a temporary solution to some people and could make the situation worse. Her opinion.
Certain hard-core Internet users might have already been depressed before they started spending hours online, says Jean Cirillo, a Long Island psychologist.
“Some people go online because they’re depressed and they want immediate relief,” she says. “It takes a lot of energy to go out and meet people, and there is always the fear of rejection.
“When you go online, you have the illusion of having interacted with someone. The person gets a high and feels better temporarily but then there’s a big letdown.”
Who does the doc think we are interacting with? Bot programs? Dogs? lol She needs to get into therapy.