Facebook use may increase female adolescent depression

Sarah Perez of ReadWriteWeb, reported on some recent research that linked Facebook usage with adolescent female anxiety and depression. According to Dr. Joanne Davila and  doctoral candidate Lisa Starr, girls that use texting, instant messaging and social networking, have an easier way to keep stuck rehashing the same topic over and over without a sense of resolution. Psychologists call this excessive discussion of a problem, "co-rumination." Children who  already had emotional difficulties were more likely to ruminate, which proves communication styles and temperament are more to blame rather than just the methods of contact. Therefore it might not have as much to do with the methods of contact, but more about communication styles and temperament. A child who worries will likely use many delivery systems to support that behavior. Such behavior allows for more frequent and private rumination using social media. With more access to their friends without parental knowledge, their interests are primarily their “problems” - conversely, the overexposure and lack of privacy with peers, may also contribute to co-rumination.