Study says too much Facebook is unhealthy for kids

A new study has shown that too much Facebook time may be bad for kids. The study comes from psychologist Larry Rosen at Cal State Dominguez Hill. Rosen has been studying the effects of technology on people for 25 years and his latest study looks at the effects of social networking on students. The case study on the latest research Rosen performed was presented at the American Psychological Association’s annual convention in Washington, D.C. recently.

Rosen found that teens who use more technology like video games or the internet tended to have more stomach aches, sleeping issues, anxiety, and depression. He also found in the study that teens that logged onto Facebook constantly were more narcissistic since social networking is exactly what the narcissist seeks out. They can share themselves constantly on their terms using social networking.

Perhaps the most shocking finding in the study (NOT) was that when Rosen and his colleagues watched middle school, high school, and college students studying for exams over 15 minutes they found that most were only able to focus for two to three minutes before moving to other things like texting or apps. They called that ADD in my day. Rosen says that parents should have constant open communications with kids about how they are using technology and ask questions in a way that kids will feel comfortable.

[via LATimes]

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Policing 2011: Facebook Style

Columbia (WACH)—We have all heard the advice about using care when posting pictures on social networking sites.  Current and potential employers, school administrators, and colleges are all looking through pages to ensure that employees and students are behaving properly when off the clock and out of class.

Another group spending time on social networking sites is law enforcement.  Police officers surfing the web are not new, over the last decade, teams of specially trained Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) officers have been scouring the net for predators hoping to make victims of children.  Across the country, police investigators are also turning to social networking sites to help solve crimes and identify suspects.

With an estimated ¾ of all people who use the Internet on at least one social networking site, it may make sense that law enforcement is also.  Police investigators say that many crimes can be solved simply by looking at pictures that users post.  From cyber bullying and underage drinking to vandalism and theft, suspects not only take pictures with pride, but then share them for the world, including the police to see.  In at least one case, even a murder suspect was identified and captured after he discussed the details with his girlfriend.

In searching for relevant stories, there seems to be a common thread that if someone posts a picture or information in the public, they should be held accountable for the actions depicted. 

Many agencies are also using social networking to communicate with the public, sending out messages, and collecting tips and information from the public.

What do you think about law enforcement utilizing social networking to help solve crimes?  Is it a violation of the 4th Amendment covering search and seizure, or do you think that if people post information publicly, its fair game?

Leave a comment here or on our Facebook page and get into the debate.

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