Facebook Can Be Detrimental To Teens

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If your kid or any kid close to you has been glued to their screen “Facebooking” their friends, this study by Larry D. Rosen of California State University might be of interest to you. Dr. Rosen explored the psychological effects of Facebook use on kids, teens, and young adults, and listed its pros and cons. He presented the list in a talk entitled, “Poke Me: How Social Networks Can Both Help and Harm Our Kids.”

Listed among the adverse effects of Facebook on teens are antisocial behaviors, anxiety, depression, distraction from school work, and narcissism. I would argue, however, that those effects aren’t exclusive to teens alone.

• Teens who use Facebook more often show more narcissistic tendencies while young adults who have a strong Facebook presence show more signs of other psychological disorders, including antisocial behaviors, mania and aggressive tendencies.  
• Daily overuse of media and technology has a negative effect on the health of all children, preteens and teenagers by making them more prone to anxiety, depression, and other psychological disorders, as well as by making them more susceptible to future health problems.
• Facebook can be distracting and can negatively impact learning. Studies found that middle school, high school and college students who checked Facebook at least once during a 15-minute study period achieved lower grades.

But just as Facebook has its cons, it also has positive effects, the best of which is probably how it could help introverts come out of their shells.

• Young adults who spend more time on Facebook are better at showing “virtual empathy” to their online friends.
• Online social networking can help introverted adolescents learn how to socialize behind the safety of various screens, ranging from a two-inch smartphone to a 17-inch laptop.
• Social networking can provide tools for teaching in compelling ways that engage young students.

If you’re planning to use software to monitor your kids’ online activities, Dr. Rosen says your efforts might be in vain, as kids would find a way around it anyway. The best way to tackle the issue is to be forthcoming about it, he says. Talk and listen to your children, and let them know that if you think there’s someone problematic in their friends’ list, you’d want that person removed.