Facebook Can Make Children Suicidal With Depression
SCARE Story of the Day was in the Daily Mail, which published the headline:
Facebook puts vulnerable children at risk of depression, warn doctors.
The facts:
Being shunned on a social networking website can be more harmful than if a child is ignored by their friends in real-life, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics.
Well, it can be, we suppose.
And it can kill. Yep, Facebook can kill:
The group, which has published its first set of social media guidelines, explains that online harassment ‘can cause profound psycho-social outcomes’, including suicide – as seen with schoolboy Tom Mullaney last May.
The 15-year-old was found dead at his home in Bournville, Birmingham, after being threatened on Facebook with being attacked at school.
Or as the police said:
“We don’t suspect that there was any third party involvement,” said Det Insp Mayhew.
Meanwhile, back in the Mail, Daniel Bates continues his story based on science and medial expertise:
Dr Megan Moreno, a University of Wisconsin adolescent medicine specialist who has studied online social networking among college students, said using Facebook can enhance social connections among some youngsters, while having the opposite effect on those prone to depression. She said parents should not think that the site ‘is going to somehow infect their kids with depression’.
Too late!
Posted: 29th, March 2011 | In: Reviews Comment (1) | TrackBack | Permalink
