Facebook Linked To Psychological Disorders In Teens
The argument has been made but not enough on the social debilitation that people tend to suffer by the over usage of social media. We are in a technologically advanced age, its okay to observe that; however, what must the cost must be?
Anti-social behavior, narcissism and other negative characteristics are the price.
Facebook usage above and beyond that of being a mere frequenter is common amongst most teens. Unfortunately, it is that same age group that is the primary social media users that suffer from the negative characteristics and other psychological disorders according to a recent study conducted by Larry Rosen, a professor of psychology at California State University.
Rosen presented the results of his studies in a presentation titled “Poke Me: How Social Networks Can Both Help and Harm Our Kids.” The findings are based on a number of computer surveys that were distributed to 1,000 urban adolescents and Rosen’s 15 minute observations of 300 teens as they studied.
The findings showed that there were clearly psychological disorders in nearly every case. Social media has been linked to aggressive tendencies, mania, stomach aches, sleeping problems, anxiety and depression. In addition the teen is likely to suffer a technological “overdose” on a daily basis not limited to Facebook but including video games as well as other technological devices.
Education is the next on the list of things that suffer in the teens that are habitual Facebook users. These same teens have a high rate of absenteeism from school, lower reading rates as well as lower grades.
The only standout positive aspect to social media was Rosen’s findings of the development of “virtual empathy.” Empathy is commonly associated as an in-person activity where physical embraces can take place, facial expressions can be shown and kind words are exchanged. That empathy is well-received by friends and influences the expression of these positive behaviors outside of the world of social media thus carrying over into everyday life.
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