The lure of the Internet is a powerful force. After only a short time on the computer, many students check Facebook profiles and chat with friends. However, an August study at California State University revealed the use of social networking sites can have many psychological effects on teenagers.
The study’s results state that being on Facebook for more than two hours a day can result in psychological problems such as narcissism, antisocial behavior and aggressive tendencies. Overusing technology such as phones and computers could also make teens more susceptible to anxiety, depression and future health problems.
“To [teenagers], it’s not the quality that’s important, but the connection itself. Phone or face-to-face conversations allow for a minimal number of connections, while other tools let them connect to the world,” psychologist Dr. Larry Rosen, who ran the California State study for the American Psychological Association’s annual convention, said.
In one of Rosen’s experiments a group of students were monitored while studying for 15 minutes. Every three minutes, the students got distracted or tried multitasking. Rosen concluded that those who check Facebook one or more times during a 15 minute study period receive lower grades than without interruption.
“[Facebook] gets in the way of homework or other things you need to do,” sophomore Justin Chee said. “A lot of people procrastinate and just go on Facebook forever, so they don’t do what they’re supposed to.”
Although the study concluded that extensive use of technology can produce negative side effects, the California State study also found that using Facebook increased ‘virtual empathy’ shown by those who use social networking websites frequently. Teenagers have become more capable of showing compassion for distressed friends, using the Internet to help improve the moods of peers. The study describes the distinct likelihood of this virtual empathy carrying over to the real world and improving the relationships between teenagers in real-life, everyday situations.
“I think it’s a lot easier to communicate with friends through Facebook. You don’t have to deal with the seriousness of school or class; it can be much more relaxed,” junior Sydney Fontaine said.
Interaction online comes with positives and negatives. Excessive use of social networking sites may damage mental health and make school more stressful, Rosen said.
The Internet also provides a positive source for improving social skills and maintaining friendships. As the number of people who use social networking sites continues to grow, more and more people will become aware of both the dangers and opportunities that Facebook can offer to its users. #
