I'm always a bit mad when I see a person neglecting the one they're with, and instead having an engaging cell conversation with someone else. Like the father at the playground with his 4 year old daughter, who kept looking at him for his attention - and it wasn't happening.

well I called BS on the article when the "negative" paragraph contradicted the "good" paragraph. First it says using FB develops empathy, then it says teens who use FB lack empathy and are narcissistic. From personal observation I'd have to agree with LACK of empathy. On top of that teens grades are going down and reading comprehension is lacking (maybe the author is a teen?)

Most peoplemy age would disagree with you. I on the other hand do not. Hell a friend of mine was taking me to get my car get my eyes dilated (fun right) and while she was DRIVING she decided to update her status with "I'm taking my friend to the eye doctor" I asked her if it could wait and she said she just felt like doing it at that moment. I will never ride shotgun with her again.

Kyle, the disaster you describe is not a Facebook problem; it's a problem with compulsive communication. Remember the students in elementary school that just couldn't resist talking during class? They enjoy talking, and even though they'll have a much better opportunity at recess, and talking in class is disruptive to learning, rude, against the rules and likely to earn chastisement, there were always those kids that couldn't resist doing it NOW, because they "felt like it."

They grow up to be people who can't resist the urge to communicate as adults either. Instead of yelling to the person behind them in class, now the most expedient way to share that thought is texting. So that's what they use, even if it is better to wait until they park, even though it is a dangerous distraction that can impair driving and lead to traffic fines if caught, even if it is rude to your passenger(s). There will always be people with a compulsive urge to communicate at inappropriate times in inappropriate ways, Facebook or not.

True, kids are getting away with a lot. The article says something about not bothering to monitor electronically, the kids will find out and get around it, but - don't tell them and they won't know. My cousin let me in on that, from worry about her kids, and being able to see texts, conversations, websites - VERY helpful to provide some guidance.
Tell them you saw it on "history", or they forgot to sign out and you "peeked", or just use some topic (like porno or stranger/overage weirdo) and have a little indirect talk about "choices", etc. Luckily I never saw any friend info - like about suicide - that would have caused me to be forced to "blow my cover" and let the kids know I've monitored them. Of course, they were always supposed to give me their passwords if they wanted to use my computer, or have me paying for their phones. (Phone/text peeking is helpful too, kept one "older friend of a friend" from preying on my gullible 15-year-old, at the time.) The teens get angry, but after all, who is paying the bill - and I didn't nit pick every little "F word" and the like.

The new generation of technology would not be here if the older generation hadn't brought it to us over the years. Not our fault but hey, thanks for it. Jus sayin....

Glad to see you speak for *all* teenagers. When you grow up, maybe you'll find a more productive use for it.

I think the idea that the findings of this study are limited only to teens is the only "stupid" part, past that, everything is completely on target. When you expand into other age groups -- especially ones within ten years your senior, you see the exact same thing: people become more narcissistic thinking everyone cares about everything they do or think, they find themselves detached in some ways, are able to expand their social circles in ways they wouldn't have otherwise, and waste a whole hell of a lot of time in the process.

I find studies like this to be fascinating. Same goes for how blogs have helped to change attention spans and how people prefer to read. You see the same trend in design now, everything is headed towards being short and to the point. "Busy" design doesn't work anymore.

I don't know if Facebook was around when I was a teen or not, but I started using it after college, and I like it. I had my high school friends, college friends, and work friends, then moved again after I married, so there were 3 whole groups of people I lost touch with in a 6-year time span. It was nice to be able to get in touch with all of them quickly and conveniently. It's great to be able to share pictures and automatically see what everyone is up to, rather than have to ask each one individually. Because the prospect of seeing them again is, well, pretty unlikely. But they're still important to me.

I don't understand why teens would use it, except maybe to share pictures or contact out-of-state relatives. I mean, there isn't a whole lot of "past" to connect with when you're a kid, and you might as well interact with people you know in person. But the world is different for adults now; everyone moves, meets people from all over the world, and then loses contact. Facebook is a great tool for modern Americans who don't want to lose their friends in the process.

And whatever happened to just calling someone on the phone? Oh no, did I just say that D:

Well, now they have the speech to text feature on phones, so you can almost pretend to have a real conversation. AND I agree with the lack of grammar and spelling that's proliferated the teens and young adults...The words that are in the dictionary now include things like "Nekkid", "LOL" and "prolly" most likely because it would take far more effort to instruct kids on how to spell (read: Wasting teachers time) rather than just put fake words in the dictionary...

Poor grammar practices, along with unaceptable slang is getting to be a way of life, and I'm seeing it, especially poor spelling...everywhere these days. It's a shame, because grammar is taught so everyone is aware of a standard that all can understand and be understood, not merely a select few. It seems to have lost its value in our present day society.

I fear for the future of effective communication when the shortcuts, misspellings and slang used on social networks will be the norm...and only certain groups will understand each other.
Now that's a far scarier concept that the author didn't even bring up...but is occuring much more since the popularity of social networking dramatically increased. It can only get worse with time.

A beloved long ago teacher, Sister Mary George would turn over in her grave to read the atrocious grammar, spelling, and foul language found on facebook.

We didn't dare say "ain't" in her classroom.

Ik: That, my friend was a nobel attempt at promoting a more and better developed society...which, I fear is sadly going back in time. I had always thought that it was far better to go forward in time.

Neanderthals were completely uncivilized...but that was appropriate...THEN!

Neanderthals were once the leading edge of "civilized" and an improvement on what had come before. Can WE say the same of ourselves?

That's why what's happening these days is totally unacceptable and beyond reason.

We are sinking further into the abyss all the time, but thankfully we still have a lot of enlightened followers to lead the way.

Never give up, guys! I won't.

I still make phone calls! And I still write letters to my grandma, too. She never joined the Internet Age, so that's how I stay in touch. Writing letters is easy, but I must admit, getting pictures developed is a pain. It's a lot easier to share photos with family who have Internet.

Seniors can really become isolated and lonely, and I think social networking sites are a great way to alleviate some of that isolation. It's sad how little many elderly people get visits from family, and since it just doesn't happen, I think it's good that there is at least a technology for some kind of regular contact.

Over the years, regional economic depressions have scattered my relatives all over the country. I don't have the money nor the vacation time to fly myself, spouse and kids to visit one of these relatives, let alone all of them. The reality of the modern age is that people get separated, and social networking sites are an adaptation to this new reality. It's either Facebook or no contact at all, and so I don't consider it a waste of time. Even if you update your status once a day! I mean, in the past, you probably saw most of your relatives every day or week, so it's the new thing. Hourly updates seem excessive, but I don't think a lot of people actually do that (though the ones who do stand out).

And please don't tell me a phone call or letter suffices. A phone call is one-on-one, whereas most families socialize in groups all at once. So posting a comment to everyone and getting multiple feedback better simulates a real social setting than does a phone call. And a person cannot see you and your children, or share your experiences as intimately, without the visual component of photos and videos that Facebook provides.

I agree with all of your posts so far JLM, thank you for your insight.

How bout NEW friends? NEW ideas? NEW places? NEW experiences?

Though fb touts it's progressiveness, it seems doubtful that folks (of any age) constantly whirling about in their own cirlcle endlessly can really gain new knowlege, ideas, or experiences 1st hand.

Parents monitor facebook. If not your parents, then your friend's parents. Somehow things get back through the grapevine. That's why you have the one account under your real name where you are "friends" with adults/work and the other one that you actually /use/. Same first name and people should find you easily enough.

And that's the problem, Sacrament92. The majority of these kids go unchecked on facebook so posting perverted and obscene things has become the norm. And 14 year old girls wearing next to nothing in their pictures is just turning them into preggos at even younger ages. The golden age of America is gone, and with it, the innocence of youth.

I say if kids want to become to fantasieland, let them. Just wait for them to get to the real world. Sad they have to learn that way right?

...says the guy posting on message boards...

I am not the only one smart@ss

I would go as far as to say social media is going to be the downfall of the current civilization as we know it.

It's hilarious that you say Facebook is not important. There are multiple countries that are having REVOLUTIONS led by the connectivity of Facebook. It will not be long before America joins those ranks. I'm not a huge fan of social media as a recreation, but it does have power in society today. To say it's not important is just plain ignorant and dates you horribly. You may be living in the stone-age but this IS how people communicate nowadays like it or not. Read a few articles about what is happening in THIS world today. Otherwise just keep your hate to yourself, you just look silly...

I'm with Ryan on this one. I mean, cable TV is waste of time and serves little purpose. Social media, while also a waste of time in many cases, is a game changer. I'd toss it on the same list as railroad, interstates, telephones, internet, and the good ol cotton gin. This is changing the world whether you realize it or not.

Hey Katie glad you were there to lend support her way. That girl will never forget you and her trues friends wherever she ends up in life...

Excellent!! How I feel about it also.

Hey you are not the only one; further more I will not do business with any company that requires I have account.

Then how you writing on newsvine you need an account.

How you on the internet you need an account with the cable/phone/satellite company.

How you getting your checks cashed you need an account at a bank.

How you using a cell phone you need an account with the company even if its a prepaid.

So your statement does not make any sense as you need accounts for most anything nowadays.

A 40 yr old with teen friends that just smells fishy to me.

It depends. Many of my nephew's friends are my facebook friends. I happened to get them started playing in a band, and they keep in contact. Older people can pass good things on as well, not just prey on younger people.

That doesn't mean that parents should not be aware of who their childeren communicate with. I know someone who continually is berated by her daughter for trying to be her parent. "It's none of your business" "You are nosy" "You are a nag" and so on. If more people parented their kids, then they would not have to worry about what their kids were doing, with whom, because they would know and be able to trust their kids. Most of the time, anyway.

And you think that is facebooks fault?

Defintely monitoring is needed. The same unit that polices Craigslist for online sexual predators should get a little overtime bonus to police Facebook..

Take away her cell phone. Parents seem to think that they have no choice in the matter--if the child is a minor, you have control. Be strong enough to stand up to your kid!

Does she pay for her own cell phone? does she buy her own gas and clothes?

If not, maybe that would be a start, teach her to be responsible.

Exactly. I completely agree with you--a parent should not have to make excuses and try to get away with checking on the well-being of their kid. The fact that parents feel they have to answer to their own child is incredibly concerning and shows why children have zero respect for authority.

The thing is, if you have a tech-savvy kid, good luck monitoring them. Facebook they can simply make an alternate account, computers than can simply delete your spyware or block it (and let it run again once they've done whatever), emails are free from multiple providers so you can't possibly know all the accounts, etc. Even if you try to check "history", that's easily deleted. If the parent is techy enough to also check the cache not connected to the browser, props to them, but we know how to clear that too.

Cell phones are a stickier proposition, but that's what actual voice-calls are for if a kid knows that their parent monitors it. Records of texts are kept, sure, but my conversations sure as hell aren't. I even have alternate telephone numbers on my computer and smart phone that nobody else knows about via Google. Plus you can send texts to/from email addresses, which again, are nearly impossible to monitor.

Yeah, spying is not the answer. You've just got to raise a good kid and allow them to keep some of their secrets, because you'll never get them all and they'll just resent you for prying.