One of the top headlines on Google News this morning mentions a report filed by the American Academy of Pediatricians that discusses the possibility that Facebook may cause depression among teens and preteens. The only problem is, neither that Google News article or any of the dozens of copy-cat articles actually reference the AAP report. What are these bloggers and webmasters using to verify their panic-inducing claims? Who cares? You clicked their link, didn't you? And that's all that matters.
That Google News article is another example of Internet hype – bloggers and writers using only keywords and portions of the facts to grab your attention and get you to click on their articles and links. And if they make their article sound like it's imparting new, scary, controversial information, you might even send the link to your friends or post it on your own Facebook wall for everyone to read.
The article you're reading now is also taking advantage of Internet hype by using those same keywords – Facebook and depression - to snag your attention and get you to click on the link, but with one major exception – this article is actually meant to provide information, not incite a panic.
In case you're really interested in whether or not Facebook can indeed produce depression in your teen or pre-teen child, here's a link to their official report: Clinical Report: The Impact of Social Media on Children, Adolescents and Families by Gwenn Schurgin O'Keeffe, Kathleen Clarke-Pearson and COUNCIL ON COMMUNICATIONS AND MEDIA. Published online March 28, 2011.
You'll notice, when you actually read the report, which most bloggers didn't, that, out of the 4 pages devoted to the report itself, one single paragraph is devoted to Facebook and depression.
“Researchers have proposed a new phenomenon called “Facebook depression,” defined as depression that develops when preteens and teens spend a great deal of time on social media sites, such as Facebook, and then begin to exhibit classic symptoms of depression. Acceptance by and contact with peers is an important element of adolescent life. The intensity of the online world is thought to be a factor that may trigger depression in some adolescents. As with offline depression, pre-adolescents and adolescents who suffer from Facebook depression are at risk for social isolation and sometimes turn to risky Internet sites and blogs for 'help' that may promote substance abuse, unsafe sexual practices, or aggressive or self-destructive behaviors.”
When you do a Google search on the term 'Facebook depression' you'll find there are millions of pages devoted to this, all over the Internet. You'll also see that, in 2009, researchers at Stony Brook University also released some findings on depression in teenage girls and Facebook. Or so the article at ReadWriteWeb.com claims. But after you read that article, if you'll scan down to the comments, you'll see a disclaimer posted by one of the original authors of the study:
“Hello, I am one of the co-authors of this study, and I want to clarify a few important points. Our article did NOT show that Facebook (or any other technology usage) was at all related to depression. In fact, our study had nothing to do with Facebook whatsoever. Instead, our study focused on a repetitive, negatively-focused communication pattern called co-rumination, and its potentially maladaptive consequences. The quotes in this articles were taken out of context, and please do not read too much into them.
Again, our research does NOT show that Facebook is to blame for adolescent depression, and in contrast we believe that attributing a widespread and long-existing disorder to a passing internet fad is both ill-conceived and potentially dangerous. I think it is important to set the record straight on these findings, as I have seen the information presented here cross-posted on a number of blog.
I am happy to share our article anyone who is interested, or you can find it in the latest issue of Journal of Adolescence. Again, it has nothing to do with Facebook. I have already sent this information directly to the author, but have not heard back at this time.
Thanks for your in our work.
-Lisa Starr, Stony Brook University”
It's interesting to note, too, that in the AAP Report, there is more information on the benefits of children using social media than there is about the pitfalls of Facebook:
“Social media sites allow teens to accomplish online many of the tasks that are important to them offline: staying connected with friends and family, making new friends, sharing pictures, and exchanging ideas. Social media participation also can offer adolescents deeper benefits that extend into their view of self, community, and the world, including:
opportunities for community engagement through raising money for charity and volunteering for local events, including political and philanthropic events;
enhancement of individual and collective creativity through development and sharing of artistic and musical endeavors;
growth of ideas from the creation of blogs, podcasts, videos, and gaming sites;
expansion of one's online connections through shared interests to include others from more diverse backgrounds (such communication is an important step for all adolescents and affords the opportunity for respect, tolerance, and increased discourse about personal and global issues); and
fostering of one's individual identity and unique social skills.
Now, if you're one of the millions of parents out there who only saw “Facebook causes teenage depression” and then ran to your computer to delete your child's Facebook account, consider this: You've been hyped! Worse – you've been hyped by a blogger whose only interest was in getting you to visit their page.
Today's lesson? The Internet is a great place to do research but make sure you're getting all the facts before shutting down your kid's Facebook page. Talk to your child first, before you panic, and discuss the pros and cons before you blindly assume that blogger was right.
Note: This article is the first in a series of "Internet Hype Alert" articles. If your first reaction is always - "It's TRUE! I read it on the Internet!" - please use the subscribe button above to be notified each time another example of Internet Hype is exposed.
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