CHICAGO — A report published Monday in the journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics includes new social media guidelines based partly on the discovery of a type of depression that is linked to Facebook use. This “Facebook depression” could potentially harm teens who use the site obsessively.
Researchers do not yet agree whether or not the condition is an extension of regular depression or if it’s separate effect of using the social media site, the Associated Press reports. Dr. Gwenn O’Keeffe, a lead author of the report, told the news source that Facebook has unique aspects that make it particularly detrimental to teenagers with low self-esteem.
The guidelines in the report encourage parents to discuss social media use with their children, reports AFP. Parents should also try to learn about different social media sites through conversation and participation, rather than monitoring and spy software, according to the report.
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