How can social networking websights be causing depression among people?

Richard: How can social networking websights be causing depression among people?
I heard in the news today that social networking websights such as facebook are the cause of a lot of depression among people. If anything I thought it kept people linked together. I live alone and love it because if I actually do want someone to talk to I can just get on facebook and chat with some of my old classmates and it is just like if they are right there. Like having one big party at my house and don’t have to worry about actually asking anyone to leave hah. So what are they talking about?

Answers and Views:

Answer by Mike
They are probably not talking about people like you – they are probably talking about people who don’t have many friends or acquaintances and social sites make them realize what little friends they have.

Answer by thisgurlie;-)
Firstly networking sites lower people’s communication skills, and they have a harder time speaking with people. If you notice it seems like people are on networking sites more and more instead of spending time with their families and friends in person.

Overtime this will cause a person to become sad, because they no longer get to spend the time with their family and friends like they used to.

Its sad where communication and realtionships have gone nowadays.

Answer by Cookie Monster {omnomnom}
Technology has its ups but also its downs. The rapid increase of electronics has caused people to become less socially active. Instead of actually taking the time to call someone and have a heart-to-heart chat, we prefer to text or email them. Also, people who have exes are now able to see if their ex has moved on, and if they have, they might get depressed over who they are seeing. It is easier to spread rumors about a person one hates just by a click of the mouse.

These are just a few of the reasons how social networking websites can cause depression.

Answer by Movin’
also to add to others answers it could be that individuals feel depressed because they compare their lives to other people’s lives based on their facebook