Depression and Isolation caused by Social Networking
Dec 04

Social Networking Causes Isolation, Depression

Author: The Answer Guy ( Jeff Yablon )  |  Category: Uncategorized

We’re doomed.

Have you noticed how weird social networking feels? We’re all using Twitter, Facebook, and dozens of other social networking sites and applications, and I’ve spoken with many people who are at least a bit uncomfortable about it. You’ve heard it: “I ‘know‘ way more people, but I feel as though I don’t really know anyone”.

Turns out to be true.

Not metaphorically, either, and not just in a “I knew interacting over those evil computers was bad for you” kind of way. New research indicates that if you know people who are depressed, you’re likely to become depressed as well. And the numbers are shocking: 52% more likely if you know them personally, 25% more likely if there’s one person between you, and 15% more likely when you’re at three degrees of separation.

My LinkedIn profile shows almost 7 million people within three degrees of me. Twitter doesn’t report on that, but since I have nine times as many followers on Twitter as on LinkedIn, I have to believe the numbers are way higher (exponentially, 9 cubed, or 729 times higher).

Scared yet? Nah, me neither. But intrigued as all get-out. Now, back to my social networking activities.

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5 Responses to “Social Networking Causes Isolation, Depression”

  1. Tweets that mention Depression and Isolation caused by Social Networking -- Topsy.com Says:
    December 4th, 2009 at 11:49 am

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  2. Twitted by yamasas Says:
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  4. uberVU - social comments Says:
    December 11th, 2009 at 10:13 am

    Social comments and analytics for this post…

    This post was mentioned on Twitter by yamasas: [twitter] Social Networking Causes Isolation, Depression http://bit.ly/6cgiY0...

  5. Real People (Customers) Like To Be Visited Says:
    August 4th, 2010 at 9:18 am

    [...] don’t mean social networking-type contact. In fact, as I’ve told you before, there’s real evidence that social networking causes isolation and depression. The Internet and technology and so-called “advances” have created social problems, and [...]

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