Social network overuse 'breeds narcissism'

[Jazzy]

Overuse of social networks in teens is linked to narcissistic tendencies according to scientists.



According to new psychological research, teens who spend too much time on social networks like Facebook, are more likely to show narcissistic tendencies and display signs of other behavioural problems.



The findings of the research were presented by Larry D. Rosen, professor of psychology at California State University, at the 19th Annual Convention of the American Psychological Association. In a talk entitled ‘Poke Me: How Social Networks Can Both Help and Harm Our Kids’, Rosen explained the potential psychological risks for teens who spend too long on social networking services.



While nobody can deny that Facebook has altered the landscape of social interaction, particularly among young people, we are just now starting to see solid psychological research demonstrating both the positives and the negatives,” he said.



Rosen said the negative effects of teenagers overusing social media include making them more prone to vain, aggressive and anti social behaviour.



Scientists have found pre-teens and teens who overuse social sites and technology on a daily basis are also more likely to be prone to bouts of anxiety, depression and other psychological disorders.



Excessive use of sites like Facebook can also lead to poorer academic performance. Teenagers who checked social networks at least once during a 15 minute study period, achieved lower grades, scientists found.



Rest of article: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technolo...Social-network-overuse-breeds-narcissism.html



What are your thoughts about this?

 

[Cranos]

This could very well be. I have people on my facebook who get compliments thrown at them every time they change their status to boring things like going to bed or eating. Also, a lot of people think they're popular just because they added 700 people they hardly know to their friends list. It's very self-glorifying and the younger you are, the less you can put all of it in perspective.



Now I'm not sure about all these symptoms, but becoming vain and experiencing more anxiety and depressions makes perfect sense to me. And it's a distraction so poorer academic performance is also a given...

 

[Evil Eye]

Poorer academic skills has more to do with interrupting every 15 minutes to do something else I think...

As for the other stuff, if these kids are susceptible to peer pressure it only makes sense that constant input from others causes these things.