Facebook depression has a number of causes. Psychologists from Edinburgh Napier University conducted a study on the users of Facebook, and concluded that those who spent the most time on the site felt anxiety and stress. “And we found it was actually those with the most contacts, those who had invested the most time in the site, who were the ones most likely to be stressed,” said Dr Kathy Charles, who led the study on Facebook related stress. (Napier.ac.uk)
Many young people enjoy spending time on social networking sites like MySpace and Facebook. Young and old who frequently visit online destinations are known to have better cognitive performance. On the other hand, overdoing it may cause the user to be anxious, stressed, and depressed. Heavy users of Facebook social media may also increase their risks to cyber bullying and sexting. Facebook depression can also happen to teens who turn to social networking sites instead of consulting a support group in the real world when having difficulties coming to terms with life issues.
What Social Networking Sites Provide
Social sites are used to network with people you know, to make new contacts, and to keep you updated with news. Social networking websites are online locations where a user maintains a profile and a network of friends. Profiles pages include description in terms of their age, sex, location, and other interests. The profile page may also contain photographs, sounds, and videos of things they own, places visited or projects accomplished. Most people use Facebook to view friends' activities and content. Many times, profile content becomes a topic of discussion among the user’s network of friends.
In addition to providing a virtual community for people to share their activities, Facebook has tools to help people increase their network of friends. One example is commenting to create an active dialogue with the individual who posted it and with other people in the thread. Not only that, Facebook allows users to have up to 5,000 friends on their network. Facebook also gives free messaging and a platform for unlimited exchange of thoughts, photos, links, music, and more to anyone with Internet access.
Social media sites like Facebook provide many benefits to its users. Primarily, it has been very effective as a platform for bits and pieces of conversation that make people feel connected even for a brief moment. There are also fun applications and games that help one pass a boring day. These tools are challenging and demanding to the point that some users neglect work on other things, such as homework and housework.
How Facebook Depression Could Begin
Those who are opposed to social networking sites believe that online communities lure people to spend more time online, leaving no opportunities for other productive activities. Many teens and young adults spend almost 10 hours a week on social networking activities, making them passive couch potatoes online. Shockingly, 96 percent of users are not aware that the information they post becomes public and that photos and comments can be retrieved even after these have been deleted. Over-sharing of personal information could increase the risk of blackmail, loss of job, and embarrassment.
Similarly, others spend hours on a long conversation thread with friends or have several log-ins to update or check on. Some will spend hours writing something on another Facebook user’s wall. With their “my life is an open book” profile, teens could view photos and compare what they have with those of their friends. They could became envious of seeing photos of new looks, great parties, travels, and shopping sprees, which could trigger feelings of sadness and periods of feeling down and low.
There are other things that could trigger depression. Repeatedly ignoring the posts of a vulnerable teen could make him or her feel worthless. When threatened, teased, taunted, and tormented by others online, they become angry. The pressure, Dr. Charles added, keeps Facebook users in a constant state of "neurotic limbo, not knowing whether to stay or leave." As a result, they become irritated and paranoid. Over time, repeated stressful situations may lead to depression.
How to Reduce the Risk of Facebook Depression
There will be people ready to dictate, embarrass, or pressure a teen or an adult online. Teens and young adults who spend excessive amounts of time on the most popular social networking sites are the most likely affected. Their network of friends can influence their attitude, mindset, and goals. Friends could even make them feel happy, sad, or even sick. But then again, social media sites are neither a friend nor a foe.
As a parent, try to be actively involved in your teen’s activities. Encourage teens to practice a balanced set of activities. Creating an Internet schedule that the entire family agrees on may encourage teens to find other interesting things to do. Talk to kids about what they see on Facebook. This way, teens will be encouraged to keep an open line of communication with parents. Parents may also offer fun alternatives to the applications and games on Facebook.
Without a doubt, Facebook is an effective communication tool and can be a useful educational tool to a certain extent. As the old saying goes, anything in excess is always unhealthy. The possibilities for fun without Facebook could be endless — so, once in a while, turn off your Internet connection and have a good time.
Source
- Scripts and Communication for Relationships by James M. Honeycutt, Suzette P. Bryan, Publisher Peter Lang, 2010, page 305
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