Social Networks Could Seriously Damage Your Health ~ Particularly During a Recession
New research shows that our increasing use of social networks and the associated decline in face-to-face contact is associated with physiological changes, increased incidence of illness and higher premature mortality. This research is particularly worrying as using social networks has become a low cost way to spend the day for many individuals when they are not actively job seeking.
Ashland, OR (PRWEB) March 20, 2009 -- As unemployment heads towards record levels many people prefer to spend time inexpensively on social networks and avoid potentially more expensive opportunities for face-to-face social interaction with friends and family. New research indicates that the long term physiological price may be a high one. Adrian Stewart CEO and founder of AIM http://www.azureim.com has been tracking developments on behalf of his clients and students.
Dr Aric Sigman writing in the Biologist 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 social networks such as Facebook could alter the way genes work, upset immune responses, hormone levels, and the function of arteries, and influence mental performance.
Dr Sigman spells out his warning in the spring issue of Biologist, the journal of the Institute of Biology, and maintains that social networking sites have played a significant role in people becoming more isolated.
Dr Sigman continues;
"In less than two decades, the number of people saying there is no one with whom they discuss important matters nearly tripled."
"Parents spend less time with their children than they did only a decade ago. Britain has the lowest proportion of children in all of Europe who eat with their parents at the table. The proportion of people who work at home alone continues to rise."
"I am worried about where this is all leading. It's not that I'm old fashioned in terms of new technology, but the purpose of any new technology should be to provide a tool that enhances our lives."
Stewart is equally concerned by the findings but not just for our children. "We all know that unemployment is on the increase and leisure hours spent on the Internet are also on the increase. What few people have realized is that these two developments are greatly accelerating a trend that was already underway.'
Research suggests the number of hours people spend interacting face-to-face has fallen dramatically since 1987 as electronic media use increases.
"Time on social Networks, gaming, multimedia, gambling and humor are on the increase. It would appear that as Americans and Europeans come to terms with layoffs, redundancy and gloomy economic forecasts. Then the Internet is helping people not only when it comes to writing resumes and job searching but also by offering a low or no cost way to pass their time." says Stewart. "For example Seattle based Big Fish Games the people behind "Mystery Case Files" saw revenue jump 70% to $85 million in 2008. The best month in its 7 year history was January 2009." added Stewart.
Dr Robert Kraut, said in the Wall Street Journal recently that games and other forms of entertainment can provide escape for people steeped in anxieties about the economy. "There's evidence these distractions have a psychological benefit effect because they prevent a downward spiral of rumination,' says Dr. Kraut.
Stewart believes that while internet usage may provide short term psychological benefits these benefits are outweighed by the longer term physiological changes associated with increased incidence of illness and higher premature mortality. Stewart says, "Clearly human behavior is changing in ways we couldn't even imagine ten years ago and we can only speculate on the long term implications. Dr Sigman raises critical issues that we should all be aware of."
Editors Notes:
Adrian G Stewart, is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Marketing, CEO and Founder of AIM and lectures on consumer behavior at Southern Oregon University. AIM is a strategic marketing consultancy based in Ashland, Oregon. http://www.azureim.com
Dr Aric Sigman, is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Medicine and an Associate Fellow of the British Psychological Society.
Dr Robert Kraut, is a professor of social psychology and human computer interaction at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh.
Well Connected?: The Biological Implications of 'Social Networking' is published in the Spring edition of Biologist, Vol 56(1), the journal of the Institute of Biology.
Contact:
Adrian G Stewart CEO and Founder of AIM
Direct line +1-541-944-8895
http://www.azureim.com
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