Is facebook the new boob-tube?

Does everyone remember getting up on Saturday mornings, only to be glued to the "boob tube" for hours on end? It drove some of our parents to the books, asking themselves how they failed at being stimulating mothers and fathers who were proud parents of active kids. Now, I see my sister race to her computer upon waking, to check up on what her friends are up to for the day. The hum of the computers in my house along with the little facebook chat "pops" have drowned out the cereal commercials.

In a recent article from the huffington post, the author explores exactly how damaging Facebook is to children and adolescents. According to some other studies that have been conducted, many Facebook users are seen as narcissistic. Obviously, this isn't what any parent wants associated with their own children. The article presents ways to build a connection with children that doesn't involve them accepting mom's friend request.

I found it interesting that social media is beginning to have a strong effect on people at such a young age. With TV, parents have somewhat control because it communicates in a linear way--there is no interaction between cartoon and child; the parent only needed to shut off the TV. Now, Facebook is what defines the social life of young people--it is a social determinant and another stress to add to the many that puberty brings.

The article encourages parents to seek out their child's' passions and hobbies through active participation in their lives. They must give recognition that Facebook is an important part of their kids' lives, but it mustn't rule the day. The article states that although Facebook isn't something that can be "shut off" and parents must accept the fact that it is a major influence on lives, it is a reflection on many age-old childhood insecurities. The main issue is that Facebook is like "catnip" to attention-starved kids. This can lead to dangerous situations with online predators and forming an online identity that is seemingly more important than a real-life identity which is especially essential in younger aged people.