New studies highlight the dangers of dealing with social networks, particularly with Facebook.
Hundreds of millions of people have become part of their everyday life Facebook and other popular social networking sites. However, as is usually the case, misuse of social networks may, according to experts, cause various psychological problems for users.
Scientists of the non-governmental organization Society of Neuropsychanalysiss completed a survey a few weeks ago in which they found that two out of three social network users exaggerate what they write about themselves, which leads to appearance of serious psychological problems, which begin with the manifestation of feelings of guilt and shame, continue with the appearance of depression and even knock on the door of paranoia.
According to researchers, most users create a fake persona that is far from reality.
Users report that they have knowledge and skills that they do not have but that they lead a life that is by no means a reality.
But when they shut their computer, they are confronted with their true self and their real lives, and unable to manage the virtual distance from their real existence, they exhibit psychological problems.
Direct effect
Experts from the University of Pittsburgh and Columbia University attended a thousand users Facebook. They found that just five minutes of work with Facebook is enough to affect the user mentally. According to the researchers, five minutes of staying on the popular social network are enough to spur egoism and the level of spontaneity of a user.
Researchers estimate that this sudden change in mood may cause the user to lose control at various levels.
It may, for example, show aggressive or even violent behaviors, and it is likely to make him eat more and more fattening foods. It can also lead him to bizarre economic decisions, resulting in losing a lot of money. It is the first time that findings are shown that engaging with social networks can lead to loss of control of a person. According to researchers, the root cause of the rapid and drastic impact of social networks on a user's psyche is the fact that communication is impersonal.
As they contend, when two persons face to face there are various social and other rules that usually hinder the immediate and intense change of their mental state. But when communication is impersonal and done electronically, all these rules "weaken" the researchers said.
Users tend to present only the positive aspects of themselves, with the degree of positivity increasing from supportive ones messages and generally the acceptance of other users with whom they communicate. In this way, the user's self-esteem increases to such an extent that his personal defenses are greatly reduced and he loses control, developing dangerous behaviors for himself and others.
Source: tovima.gr