I have written before about the danger of Facebook envy.
The American Academy of Pediatrics (APA) states,
"a new phenomenon called 'Facebook depression,' 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."
As we learned tragically in the death of Robin Williams, depression can be deadly and should never be taken lightly.
The APA states that
"adolescents who suffer from Facebook depression are at risk for social isolation and sometimes turn to risky Internet sites and blogs for "help" that may promote substance abuse, unsafe sexual practices, or aggressive or self-destructive behaviors."
Walt Mueller at the Center for Parent Youth Understanding lists the following signs of Facebook depression:
- envy of peers and their families
- dissatisfaction with one's own life
- discouragement
- anger
- frustration
- loneliness
- resentment of others
- misery
- increasing time on social media sites to change online status and standing
- more time creating and curating themselves in the hopes that they can reverse their low view of themselves
The APA recommends that parents do the following:
- Have a social media profile yourself and "friend" your kids,
- Ask daily how your teen used social media with questions such as: "What did you write on Facebook today?" "Any new chats recently?" "Anyone text you today?"
- Keep the computer in a public part of your home.
- Enforce the age limit for many sites which is age 13 and older.
- Set time limits for Internet and cell phone use.
Walt Mueller adds the following:
- monitor your own use of social media
- tell the truth about yourself
- realize what you see of others is horribly incomplete
- conform to a Godly standard and identity on social media
- log off and power down
(American Academy of Pediatrics. (2013, May 31). Talking to Kids and Teens About Social Media and Sexting. Retrieved from AAP: News Features & Safety Tips: http://www.aap.org/en-us/about-the-aap/aap-press-room/news-features-and-safety-tips/Pages/Talking-to-Kids-and-Teens-About-Social-Media-and-Sexting.aspx)
(Mueller, W. (2014, October 3). Trend Alert: Facebook Depression. Retrieved from CPYU: Center For Parent/Youth Understanding: http://www.cpyu.org/resource/trend-alert-facebook-depression)
O'Keeffe, G. S., & Clarke-Pearson, K. (2011, April). Clinical Report: The Impact of Social Media on Children, Adolescents, and Families. PEDIATRICS, pp. 800-804.
