'Get off Facebook and get a life'

by generaldecay | February 27, 2009 at 06:43 am

1050 views | 38 Recommendations | 18 comments

That's the advice from an [apparently strong feeling] psychologist.

Dr Aric Sigman says the amount of time we spend with each other has slumped dramatically and in turn is damaging our health. He says our devotion to such sites could alter the way genes work, upset immune responses, hormone levels, and the function of arteries, and influence mental performance. Levels of hormones such as the "cuddle chemical" oxytocin, which promotes bonding, altered according to whether people were in close contact or not. This could increase the risk of health problems as serious as cancer, strokes, heart disease, and dementia.

I've a feeling this is an extension of the better known 'switch off the telly and get outside for some fresh air' debate but this chap might have a point. I don't tend to spend that much time on FB myself - it's rather limited in what it offers, all things considered - but I could certainly do with spending less time online in general. (I do like the 'Share on Facebook' link at the bottom of the story. Erm...!)

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Barbara J. Shapiro (not verified)

at 08:47 on February 27th, 2009

FACEBOOK has its place... I've connected with friends I'd lost contact with for over thirty years. I know of no other tool besides the social network that would have allowed me to reconnect. But like everything else...use in MODERATION.

Amy Judd

at 09:23 on February 27th, 2009

I'm surprised that so many symptons could come from our computer behaviour.

generaldecay

at 09:44 on February 27th, 2009

Thanks for the rec and comment, Amy. I didn't think so either but I suppose the complete change of lifestyle does mean that our bodies are suffering a little.

Amy Judd

at 13:34 on February 27th, 2009

Yes I suppose it must - it's just such a drastic change!

generaldecay

at 01:13 on February 28th, 2009

Although, frankly, I've been a lazy lump for years so I might be safe enough! ;)

Geneva B

at 09:42 on February 27th, 2009

It kind of makes sense - human beings are naturally social creatures, even the ones who say they're loners or like their space. We all know what generally happens when you lock yourself in a remote cabin for five years - you go a bit off. Social contact is one of our oldest forms of communication - I think tech can act as an extension of that in some ways but it is by no means a replacement.

generaldecay

at 09:46 on February 27th, 2009

But that's the thing that does confuse me a little - if sociability is the issue, then FB and the like might even increase our health. I still think it's all abut the fresh air warning! ;)

Swan

at 10:24 on February 27th, 2009

Hello everyone,

I have a Facebook account that I check into every few days. My sons are also on there and while I live in the States - they live in Australia.

I've found it to be a wonderful tool for keeping in touch with them, sending and receiving photos and being amazed that they have both found friends from primary school! These were little kids that used to come into my home and get picked up by their parents. Now, they're all men, but to me they all still have their baby faces!

One could say that email is wonderful for keeping in touch instead - but there's no-where near the fun, giggles and smiles on a blank page of text.

But I also agree with Barbara Shapiro who offers the key - which is of course 'moderation.' Sadly though, I know of several people for whom Facebook/MySpace has become an obsession.

It's the same as seeing a bottle of alcohol. Either you occasionally pour yourself a social drink, or you drink a LOT everyday.

generaldecay

at 01:14 on February 28th, 2009

Swan, I find FB very easy to keep up with people too - it's everything in one place. I don't bother with all of those applications though. And moderation in indeed key!

lotu5

at 12:17 on February 27th, 2009

hi! actually, yes, you can use my photo because i like the article you're posting. actually, i wrote my own article about why people should get off facebook and why i'm "quitting" facebook too, here:

http://bang.calit2.net/tts/2008/12/31/why-i-am-deleting-my-myspace-account-and-you-should-too/

lotu5 has contributed a photo to this story.

Michael DaKidd

at 13:18 on February 27th, 2009

...Actually, this student was buried in schoolwork at a local Starbucks. In my experience, recreational computing, including surfing social websites, seems to be more confined to working hours -- at work!

Michael DaKidd has contributed a photo to this story.

zachflauaus

at 18:59 on February 27th, 2009

Just a few friends gathered around a laptop. Probably checking out a photo AND THEY HAVE LIVES. Just saying.

zachflauaus has contributed a photo to this story.

Jarrett Martineau

at 19:02 on February 27th, 2009

"More fresh air" is good advice for everyone, I would say. Thanks for this.

generaldecay

at 00:51 on February 28th, 2009

Jarrett, I can't disagree with that at all, really. Thanks for the rec and comment. :)

Fred Miller

at 17:02 on March 2nd, 2009

"More fresh air" if you can get it.....away from the polluted, congested streets the majority (?) of us must face daily. The indoor A/C wouldn't be so bad if it wasn't so expensive.

Hermes (not verified)

at 03:23 on February 28th, 2009

I deleted my a/c three weeks ago!

Art_By_Alida

at 12:27 on March 7th, 2009

Lol...most of the new people joining Facebook are women over 50...why, I have no clue, except they want to see what their kids are doing..it's why I joined all those social networking places, including Myspace...

I bet the psychologist was over 50 and his wife was spending more time on the computer than cooking his dinner and cleaning his house.....or the psychologist hates computers because he never learned how to use one...lol...

I wonder what he thinks of automobiles?