Teenage depression

Teen Depression & Facebook Connection Analyzed

Those dealing with teen depression could find Facebook to be a uniquely depressing environment.

“Facebook depression” is a new potential harm linked with social media, but researchers disagree on whether it’s an extension of depression some kids feel in other circumstances, or a particular condition tied to the site.

According to Dr. Gwenn O’Keeffe, a pediatrician in Boston and lead author of new American Academy of Pediatrics social media guidelines, Facebook can make some kids feel worse about themselves if they don’t measure up to the seemingly good times their friends are having in their happy-looking photos and status updates. It can be more painful than sitting alone in a crowded school cafeteria or other real-life encounters, says O’Keeffe, since Facebook often gives a skewed version of what’s really going on. Online, there’s no way to read body language or see facial expressions that provide context.

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