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by: Miami Children's Hospital
Since its very beginnings, Facebook seems to have had a love-hate relationship with its users. While many have praised it as an innovative way of staying in touch with family and friends, others have complained that the social media site is too invasive and has become a substitute for real-life relationships. One of the most recent controversies has emerged following the release earlier this year of an American Academy of Pediatrics report addressing a new phenomenon described as “Facebook Depression.”
In the report, Facebook Depression is 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.” It also argues that it can be difficult for teens–especially those who already suffer from poor self-esteem–to be bombarded with happy status updates and photos from their peers. And while it’s certainly true many teens can feel easily alienated, the report goes on to say that Facebook has created a unique environment, one where photos and wall posts can lead to a skewed reality, making situations appear much different than what the reality may actually be.
But is this enough to conclude that Facebook is causing more teens to be depressed? Many other resources are arguing that if Facebook causes depression, the same could be said for a teen sitting alone on the bus or in the cafeteria. So, is Facebook causing depression, or are teens that are already depressed using Facebook as an escape mechanism? Whichever side you agree with, the fact is that teen depression is a serious issue. About 20 percent of teens will confront depression before they reach adulthood and about 5 percent are suffering from severe depression at any given time.
The Psychiatry Department at Miami Children’s Hospital has been helping children and adolescents with behavioral, social and emotional problems for 60 years. Psychologist Dr. Sara Rivero-Conil, the department’s Clinical Manager, has helped many teens and their families cope with the effects of adolescent depression. “Adolescents with underlying poor self-esteem may be impacted by the sight of others enjoying activities or declaring their happiness. On the other hand, social media sites also allow for well-adjusted individuals to share ideas and emotions and feel connected. As a parent, you can set up curfews or time limits around non-school-related activities and keep open communication with your children, allowing them to discuss their stressors, emotions and positive aspects of their day,” she said.
“Teen depression can affect any person regardless of gender, ethnicity or social background,” said Dr. Rivero-Conil. “So it’s important to talk to your kids and be aware of the signs, which can include a loss of interest in activities, change in eating or sleeping habits, low grades in school, anger and irritability, reckless behavior and frequent crying. Keeping open lines of communication with your children and being aware of what’s going on in their daily lives can help parents spot unusual behavior.”
So while we can’t be sure if Facebook is causing teens to become depressed, it is safe to conclude that monitoring your teen’s social media habits, along with their overall behavior and interests, can help you in identifying a potential problem and getting them the correct medical attention in time.
For more information on treating childhood depression, visit www.mch.com.
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