<p>"Add ‘Facebook depression’ to potential harms linked with social media, an influential doctors group warns, referring to a condition it says may affect troubled teens who obsess over the online site … With in-your-face friends tallies, status updates and photos of happy-looking people having great times, Facebook pages can make some kids feel even worse if they think they dont measure up…</p>
<p>…Dr. Megan Moreno, a University of Wisconsin adolescent medicine specialist who has studied online social networking among college students, said using Facebook can enhance feelings of social connectedness among well-adjusted kids, and have the opposite effect on those prone to depression…"</p>
<p>Have any of you parents noticed depressive behaviors in your children that might be linked to social media participation?</p>
<p>[Doctors</a> Warn About Facebook Depression In Teens CBS Boston](<a href=“http://boston.cbslocal.com/2011/03/28/doctors-warn-about-facebook-depression-in-teens/]Doctors”>Doctors Warn About 'Facebook Depression' In Teens - CBS Boston)</p>
<p>In high school, it was a major event when a “relationship” was acknowledged on facebook. Although she and her bf had discussed breaking up before they went their separate ways to college, she was devastated when he changed his facebook status to “single”. I think that the negative behaviors are related specifically to what people say to each other (or about others), moreso than a student feeling depressed because all his friends looks to be having so much more fun.</p>
<p>A really important life skill is learning how to tune out the “noise” (i.e. put blinders on to block things which detract from your own game). Social media sites bring a whole new type of noise, and they can be particularly tricky in that they are somewhat addictive. Those first awful moments of walking into the high school cafeteria and fearing you will not find a seat will come and go quickly each day, but you can torture yourself on Facebook for hours every night if it has gotten its hold on you. For some kids who are not so well adjusted, it can be like emotional cutting. </p>
<p>It used to be that when kids who were suffering socially arrived home from school, there was a respite from the marginalization. These days, through the internet, it all continues at home.</p>
<p>I referenced the high school age in this post, but I happen to know that some adults engage in social media based, self-injurious behavior as well. Who was at Bunko that night when I was not invited?!! It’s crazy.</p>
<p>Spideygirl - excellent post!</p>
<p>As some of you know, I work with young adults. One of the things I try to remind them is that FB gives a skewed vision of another person’s life. I have said this before, but we don’t post pictures of ordinary times. I don’t post pictures of myself unloading my groceries or cleaning the bathroom - the pictures I post are of happy times, where everyone is smiling and having a great time. We don’t document boredom, loneliness, or frustration. For someone who is prone to depression or self doubt, seeing others always happy, always with other people, it is easy to get discouraged.</p>