If you ask the experts, Facebook and its social networking peers are turning our youth into narcissistic oafs.

Dr. Larry D. Rosen, professor of psychology at California State University Dominguez Hills, has published a study exploring the impact of social networks on kids. As you might imagine, it’s a huge downer.

According to ScienceDaily.com, Rosen presented his paper at the American Psychological Association’s annual conference, where he detailed the following adverse effects of Facebook:

• Teens who use Facebook show narcissistic tendencies more often than non-users, while young adults who have a strong Facebook presence show more signs of other psychological disorders, including antisocial behavior, mania, and aggressive tendencies.

• Daily overuse of media and technology has a negative effect on the health of children, preteens, and teenagers by making them more prone to anxiety, depression, and other psychological disorders, as well as future health problems.

• Facebook can be distracting and can negatively impact learning. Studies found that middle school, high school, and college students who checked Facebook at least once during a 15-minute study period achieved lower grades.

Fear not, parents—it’s not all bad news. Young adults who spend more time on Facebook show more “virtual empathy” toward their online friends. Social networking can also help an introverted kid come out of his or her shell, so to speak. And finally, social networking can provide tools for teaching.

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