From a student created university social network in Harvard to near one billion users across the planet, Facebook is the largest social network in the world. 1 in every 7 minutes spent on the internet is spent on Facebook.
This increase in use can negatively impact users and can cause increased feelings of sadness, loneliness. Facebook Depression is a loose term to mean feelings of sadness, loneliness and disconnection while using Facebook. However there is no clinical diagnosis of Facebook depression and no studies clearly showing a link between Facebook usage and depression.
The power of Facebook to cause feelings of sadness and depression is driven by the need to socialise, fear about public image and reputation, and reactions to people who seem to have it all-together. People who are prone to loneliness need to be cautious as they use social networks, especially vulnerable people trying hard to secure popularity and connectedness.
The argument for Facebook depression
- Facebook is not a real community, it is a virtual one. People can’t cry on your shoulder, give you a hug or express full human emotions to you – emoticons are a poor substitute for real emotions.
- There are many false profiles, trolls and malicious activities on Facebook, all of which can go without immediate repercussions of harmful actions. Increased levels of inappropriate behaviour and aggression can leave people feeling hurt and angry
- Facebook profiles don’t always project reality. Profiles are often highly manicured to show desirable rather than consistent images of people’s lives. With such an image conscious focus it makes people feel sad at the superficiality of the network.
- For people who are struggling with low self esteem Facebook reinforces feelings of everyone else having fun and getting ahead. Depressed people often struggle with feelings of envy and anger when seeing popular and sucessful people, Facebook enhances this interface.
- Lonely people tend to spend more time on the internet and gravitate toward high use of online chat and gaming. Facebook use encourages more anti-social behaviour and time spent alone online
- Experts warn that Facebook use can be damaging especially amongst teenagers, see MSNBC
The argument against Facebook depression
- Facebook is just another communication platform and it is essentially neutral. People’s own use determines if they get harmed from it or not.
- Facebook enables free communication for people in remote and regional communities. It also a great way for marginalised groups like the elderly to connect with other people.
- People derive good feelings from being in contact with others on Facebook. It can promote feelings of self-esteem and well-being especially with people around the world.
- Facebook is a great way to connect with long lost school friends and other people in your life.
- It empowers people to take action against issues by forming social movements against companies, governments and abusive powers. It can also cut through red-tape when it comes to customer service by visibly approaching a company.
- Facebook allows people with depression to connect via support groups online.
- Recent studies argue that there is no link between Facebook and depression. See MSNBC, Daily Mail, and Huffington Post’s coverage on a study conducted by the University of Wisconsin
The Verdict: Is Facebook Depression real?
Just like eating too much fast food, spending too much time on Facebook is not always healthy. Learning how to use it in a positive manner with boundaries is key. Keep Facebook use at a normal level and cut back if you need to. Realise that relationships in the real world come first. While there is no link between Facebook and depression, healthy use limits possible feelings of sadness and loneliness that may come from spending too much time online.
Explore this info graphic from Help for Depression, who write “This infographic does not convey the message that Facebook causes depression because there is no data to support it. Instead, it illustrates how we use Facebook to share our thoughts, feelings, and personal interests.”
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