Why trying to monitor what your child is up to on Facebook is a waste of time

• Social networks leave teens ‘depressed and aggressive’

By
Daily Mail Reporter

Last updated at 5:08 PM on 8th August 2011

Social networking websites can make teenagers depressed, anxious and aggressive, but concerned parents who spy on their Facebook accounts are wasting their time.

That’s the verdict of scientists, who recommend parents avoid second-guessing their children’s online behaviour and instead take the old-fashioned route of talking to them and listening to what they have to say.

Researchers at California State University claim online behaviour can have positive and negative effects on children.

Concerned: Scientists recommend parents avoid second-guessing their children’s online behaviour and instead talk and listen to them

Those who use Facebook tend to be more narcissistic, the scientists said, while those with the strongest presence on the site are more likely to show psychological disorders such as anti-social behaviour and mania.

Long hours spent online each day can also have an effect, leaving youngsters more prone to anxiety, depression and other psychological disorders.

But the research has also shown positive sides to using Facebook, with normally introverted children who socialise online becoming more outgoing.

Experts at the Annual Convention of the American Psychological Association said it is pointless for parents to try and monitor what their children are up to, because they will just find a way around it.

Instead, the old parenting laws of talking and listening apply just as much in the online age.

Lead researcher Larry Rosen, of California State University, said: ‘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.

‘If you feel that you have to use some sort of computer program to surreptitiously monitor your child’s social networking, you are wasting your time.

‘Your child will find a workaround in a matter of minutes.

‘You have to start talking about appropriate technology use early and often and build trust, so that when there is a problem, whether it is being bullied or seeing a disturbing image, your child will talk to you about it.

‘Communication is the crux of parenting. You need to talk to your kids, or rather, listen to them.

‘The ratio of parent listen to parent talk should be at least five-to-one. Talk one minute and listen for five.’

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Snapfinger Creates the Ultimate Social Networking Combo: Facebook & Takeout

Atlanta, GA (PRWEB) August 08, 2011

Snapfinger, the nation’s largest Web and mobile food ordering application, announced the launch of its Facebook application. The new offering allows users to initiate Snapfinger orders from within Facebook.

A technology company focused on business solutions that drive growth for the restaurant industry, Snapfinger has developed a Facebook application that allows users to tap into Snapfinger.com directly. Now Facebook users can quickly order carry-out meals from their favorite restaurants while they are logged-in on the social networking site.

Designed to offer users speed, convenience, and immediate access to restaurants in Snapfinger’s vast network, the new application is expected to satisfy millions of Facebook users across the country. To gain access to the new application on Facebook, users merely need to be logged-in to the social platform and visit Snapfinger’s Facebook page. To initiate an order, users just click on the tab “order food now.”

“Snapfinger is committed to constantly improving our offering,” said Jim Garrett, CEO, Snapfinger. “That requires being where our customers are. Today, that means being available to them on Facebook. By combining the viral nature of Facebook with the inherent social qualities of food, Snapfinger has created the ultimate social networking combo: Facebook Takeout. Now Facebook users can literally place their carry-out orders in a matter of minutes, and get right back to their Facebooking activities.”

But beyond appealing to millions of Facebook’s users across the country, Snapfinger’s new app is also expected to boost orders for the restaurants in its network. In fact, initial results indicate a significant increase in traffic to Snapfinger.com from Facebook. Today, Snapfinger is available to consumers via the Web, mobile devices, and now within Facebook. Its technology is used by some of the industry’s most recognized restaurant chains, including Outback Steakhouse, California Pizza Kitchen, and Subway.

“Snapfinger continues to impress investors with their clip of innovation,” said Josh Goldman, General Partner at Norwest Venture Partners (NVP). “The team’s ability to push forward into new areas of growth and pursue new markets with speed and accuracy is translating into a strategic competitive advantage for Snapfinger. We continue to be bullish on the market segment Snapfinger is pursuing, and are excited about what the team has accomplished to date.”

About Snapfinger

Snapfinger, Inc. is the nation’s largest restaurant online ordering site serving more than 30,000 restaurant locations in over 3,200 cities, and provides exclusive online ordering access to more than 35 national restaurant brands. Snapfinger is based in the Atlanta area and is the leader in Web-based remote ordering solutions for the restaurant industry. The Snapfinger mobile application is available as a free download from iTunes App Store and Android Market. For more information, visit www.snapfinger.com. Questions about this release should be directed to Colleen Reed, at colleenreed24x7(at)yahoo(dot)com .

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For the original version on PRWeb visit: www.prweb.com/releases/prweb2011/8/prweb8701976.htm

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