Facebook May Not Be So Friendly For Those With Low Self-Esteem

Thought this was interesting. Wasn't sure where to share it.

http://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2012...em?sc=fb&cc=fp

Interesting study. I guess I discovered a lot about myself when I got addicted to playing Mafia Wars on Facebook and had to make 1000 "friends" and bought advancement with real money and yet still was behind other people. My self esteem is pretty sturdy but I recognized there are always going to be times when we aren't "the best"; there really isn't any such thing and if one orients one's self to trying to "win" friends and influence people :-) it ain't going to go well at some point.

This sums up Facebook right here...

"Welcome to Facebook, the place where relationships are perfect, liars believe their own BS & the world shows off they are living a great life; where your enemies are the ones that visit your profile the most, your friends and family block you; and even though you write what you are thinking, there is always someone that takes it the wrong way."

Facebook is the most superficial gathering of BS I have ever seen, but it's so addicting and I can't quit.

I have had no problems with Facebook. I watch my privacy settings. I only friend people I actually know. I (and the people I communicate with there) keep it light and friendly. No one insults other people. No one gets their feelings hurt. We share our joys, our humor, sometimes our heartache. We give support in hard times. It isn't some kind of soap opera or contest between us. We are family, co-workers, current friends, and blasts from the past. It always makes me wonder who the heck people are friending that they are having so much drama. I mean, honestly, why would you friend anyone who would behave so badly? I just don't get the drama I keep reading about. Maybe it's a younger generation thing? Who knows?

If Facebook is used what it was originally created for - for families and friends separated by distance to keep in touch ....that would be good. That's not how it goes though for most users. I don't like facebook, but do have a deserted account...no picture. Basically its just so I can access other accounts in case I need to lol. I also don't like others seeing my life. I read an article here posted by Newsbot, that facebook in a nurturing /breeding ground for narcissists and I think its true...more for the younger people.

For some teens, it a battle ground for insults, fights and online bullying of the worst kind. Its also a place to show off half clothed pics girls take of themselves in front of a mirror...drastic side part and all. They have no clue, someone on the other side of the world can copy and paste that pic anywhere. Then parents get a wake up call when they realize their daughters bikini pic is plastered all over an advertising for sex chat site or porn site. My message to those parents...you should be looking at your kids pictures.

Yup. There is a reason my kids aren't allowed to be on Facebook. Teenagers can really be vicious and honestly pretty stupid about common sense things. (Spoken from someone who spends my entire life with teenagers) I love 'em, but sometimes their brains are just not engaged.

I actually knew a girl (obvious when you read further that she had MI issues) that would kind of stalk her friends friends and then try to 'add' them as her friends claiming that she knew them when they asked...sick

I don't bother with facebook, but it's hardly because of "low self esteem".... I know of many who relish the chance to meet up with old friends and share with family... but for the most part, I think--personally--that it's a waste of time and privacy.

It really is a younger generation thing. There is no one to teach these kids how to behave online properly when the kids don't want their parents on their facebook. I would NEVER have my parents on my facebook, I just wouldn't be able to post anything that they would approve of.

Facebook is evil when I am low. I look at all my friends from growing up and compare what they are doing to me. When I feel they are beyond me it really adds to the depression. However I am a Facebook addict so I do it to myself.

I guess at times that definition can fit any site, and lately for me, even PC.

I am so sorry you have had such a bad experience with the website. I was doing fine, but, I did not like hte fact that employers have access to my info without my consent so I closed it.. and removed all of my contacts and information.

Same's been happening to me, my family is still my family on facebook, and it's getting to the point where I don't feel fit to be around people

Facebook is so not my thing. I just don't want to put up with it. I spend a lot of time cutting people out of my life when I'm depressed, and although I have an account I use it as a photo album to get pictures form other people, and an address book. That's it. I'm pretty much never on... ever.

I get so lost in it. It's hard to navigate for me, and it's overwhelming because there's so many people there. And they can see when you're online, and I don't want them too. It's just really hard for me to be that public. It's different here because you're not people I know in real life, and I know all of you are respectful and I haven't had any issues with PC. Facebook however... no drama per say, but the constant threat of it scares me. And it's not something you can just scrap and start again. Even real life relationships you can do that, but not Facebook. Facebook haunts you forever.

my self esteem is fine. i agree. i glance through posts every couple of days to see what family is up to. i have found a couple of old army buddies. my classical radio station now posts on facebook and they mention it every hour and i find that quite annoying. i don't text, i don' tweet, and i have a CELL PHONE not a smart phone. i don't want to be that connected any more. i have a desktop, 3 laptops, and a NOOK pad so i am not a ludite. i do think technology makes more people dumber than smarter.

LOL, only but a few of my cousins are worth staying on contact with and they ARE on my FB Page. Sadly, I have felt the need to block many of them. The primary reason for blocking them is that they display selfish, self-serving behaviors and/or they lack intelligence and integrity.
Then there are those "fake friends" and those that I have found to be blatant liars. Yes, I do Delete and Block them.
Like my brother has said for years; "There's a Million of Um out There". Well, I've found out he's right... I've also found out their behavior is a reflection of them, and in no way reflective of me.
Those people don't give their bad behavior a second thought because for them it's their way of life ... it's a lifestyle. They're only wrong if they get caught and then ya still have to do some wrangling to get them to take responsibility for it.
Does it hurt my feelings? Yes! However, I have made the choice to forgive them... not for them but for ME.... because I'm worth it and so are YOU! I'm not going to damage my heart with bitterness, anger, and resentment for anyone. Simply put, our standards are higher, our foundational fortitude to do the right thing is stronger, we understand there is more then just "us" to consider in this world ... and lastly it's that abiding love and the motivation in our hearts that will allow us to reach higher ground ...

If you have low self-esteem, Facebook just depresses you further. I only use it for keeping in touch with people via PM and a private group, I very very very rarely take photos and I never put up 'wall' posts or anything like that, on my page there's just loads of tosh about my zodiac sign. I was put off posting regular stuff on my Wall after some idiot in my year who I didn't get on with trolled one of my more open posts, which was after I signed up.

Most of my page are just family, childhood friends and people I knew through my years at school. It's depressing seeing how childhood friends/cousins have changed and stuff and I also feel really inadequate when people post pictures of their social lives, I'm not just talking about the obnoxious ones, even the more innocent ones I guess.

So yeah, it's the best thing to avoid if you have low self-esteem or you're feeling depressed, yet at the same time rather time-consuming/addictive.

Unless I'm missing something, how exactly is it 'obvious' she had mental health issues? I don't understand what is so "sick" about that? It's something a lot of insecure teenagers do (adding mutual friends they don't/barely know etc), and I reckon pretty much everyone has 'stalked' someone on Facebook at some point (whether it's a crush or an ex-partner etc) since it's so easy and you can't see who has viewed your page, just few will ever admit to it.

I have a slight addiction to Facebook... Mostly online gaming such as poker.
I do speak to friends and family on there but what i'm more addicted to is being nosy. Sounds weird and like i'm the worlds next big stalker but its honest. I constantly judge myself on what other people look like. Like there profile pictures and if a pretty girl posts a picture of herself and her friends and her perfect life it makes me feel jealous more, but mostly really low. Its not all jealousy i have issues with self confidence and depression and everything else resting on my shoulders.