Doctors Diagnose Facebook Depression In Teens

Teens spend hours each day on Facebook, connecting with friends and posting comments on everything from music to school gossip. Doctors are beginning to ask, “how healthy is it?”

There have been a few instances where vicious Facebook comments directed toward a teen has been blamed for suicide, but those are extreme cases. Pediatricians are increasingly concerned that prolonged expose to social media sites like Facebook could be a contributing factor in depression.

A new American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) report tries to sort out both the positive and negative effects of social media sites and offers recommendations on how pediatricians, parents and youth can successfully navigate this new mode of communication.

Primary means of interaction

“For some teens and tweens, social media is the primary way they interact socially, rather than at the mall or a friend’s house,” said Gwenn O’Keeffe, MD, FAAP, co-author of the clinical report. “A large part of this generation’s social and emotional development is occurring while on the Internet and on cell phones. Parents need to understand these technologies so they can relate to their children’s online world – and comfortably parent in that world.”

Another recent study found 22 percent of teenagers log on to their favorite social media site more than 10 times a day, and more than half of adolescents log on to a social media site more than once a day. Seventy-five percent of teens now own cell phones, and 25 percent use them for social media, 54 percent for texting, and 24 percent for instant messaging.

But that poll was conducted nearly two years ago. Chances are, it significantly understates the impact and reach of social network sites among the young. Since 2009 millions of teens now have smartphones, allowing them access to Facebook when they're away from home.

Guidelines

How should doctors and parents respond to the growing presence of social networking sites in children’s lives? Guidelines drafted for AAP says parents should talk to children and adolescents about their online use and the specific issues that today’s online kids face, such as cyberbullying, sexting, and difficulty managing their time.

Examples of this are not hard to find. Last December Nia, a Facebook user from Chickasaw, Ala., wrote to ConsumerAffairs.com complaining that a young man was using Facebook to threaten her.

“He is part of a hate group that targets gays, innocent people who make comments defending equal rights, Nia told ConsumerAffairs.com. “He has made a direct threat to me that he supports violence, while maintaining that he is a Christian. He states that ‘you will see my state of mind.’”

Participate

How can parents protect their children from the harsher side of social networking sites? If parents don’t have a Facebook page, the guidelines suggest that set one up, or otherwise become familiar with how social networking sites work. It’s a good way, the researchers say, for parents to get better educated about that world.

Pediatricians are advised to talk with families about a household Internet policy. Make sure kids don’t spend countless hours online.

Lest you think social media sites are all bad, the AAP reports says there are several positive aspects. Engagement in social media and online communities can improve communication, enhance social interaction and help develop technical skills. They can help tweens and teens discover opportunities to engage in the community by volunteering, and can help youth shape their sense of identity.

But that kind of use doesn’t appear to happen without strong guidance and support at home. Because tweens and teens have a limited capacity for self-regulation and are susceptible to peer pressure, the report notes they are at some risk as they engage in and experiment with social media.

“Some young people find the lure of social media difficult to resist, which can interfere with homework, sleep and physical activity,” O’Keeffe said. “Parents need to understand how their child is using social media so that they can set appropriate limits.”