F is for friends of Facebook or something fractured...

I fully intended this to be a nice blog about friendship and its benefits, but somewhere along the trail, it (as often happens with me) became more of a cautionary tale, ending in death.  They are some interesting facts though!

01.  "In one study, those who had the most friends over a 9 year period cut their risk of death by more than 60%."

02.  "Dr. Dean Ornish, a pioneer in reversing heart disease, notes that no other factor in medicine - ''not diet, not smoking, not exercise, not stress, not genetics, not drugs, not surgery - has a greater effect on how often we get sick than the healing power of love.''"

03.  "In one study, women saw “volunteer friends” regularly throughout the year.  72 % had a remission in depression.  That's about the same success rate as antidepressants."

04.  People with a strong social network are more likely to survive a major illness such as a heart attack or cancer.  Human companionship can also help reduce the effects of stress on the body, protect against illness, and help us heal when we do get sick."

05.  "Best friends annoy each other less as they age."

I am slightly suspect of this one.  I think, it may be more like, over the decades, the friends that you find least annoying over time become your best friends.  I suppose though, you could just get to know someone over the years, but I am more of a believer lately in "familiarity breeds contempt".  It truly is a rare friend that can survive getting to know you well. 

06. "Studies show unequivocally that it's the friendship part of marriage that makes marriage last."

07.  On average, 13 is believed to be the point at which a child is mature enough to join a social networking site.  Even those under 13 are frequently already using the sites by using fake birth dates.  Cyber stalking is a considerably less of a risk to a teen than is bullying (or being a bully).

For statistics on cyber bullying,  check this site:  http://www.internetsafety101.org/cyberbullyingstatistics.htm

 

08.  "According to a report done by Cox Communications in 2009, 72 percent of teens in the United States have an account on a social networking site. That amount is contrasted by the 42 percent who have profiles that are viewable by anyone. In the same survey, 50 percent used their real age, 62 percent uploaded photos of themselves, 45 percent gave out their school and location and 14 percent listed their cell phone numbers. The survey, which was done in partnership with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, also states that 9 percent of children provide local hangout locations."

09.  "According to a new study by the British Electronic Communication Harassment Organization (ECHO), cyberstalking has become more prevalent than real-world stalking. Researchers surveyed 250 participants between the ages of 14 and 74, and considered harassment that occurred via social networks, email and mobile phones. According to the study, most of the victims' ages ranged from 20 years old to 39 years old. Only 4% reported being stalked by a former partner, compared with victims of face-to-face stalking, where around half are former partners. Victims told researchers that stalkers commonly used social networks as channels for harassment and intimidation. 20% of victims said they were tracked through their social networks, compared to 4% who said they were targeted via dating sites."

10.  "The American Academy of Pediatrics, or AAP. released information in May 2011 that social networking can cause a form of depression in young people. The term "Facebook Depression" is the new social networking disorder, which occurs when children and teens spend an extensive amount of time on social networking sites and then exhibit signs of depression. The Academy suggests that some children feel envious of their online friends. Children who already have a low self-esteem are more likely to feel the effects of "Facebook Depression." Constant striving to be popular and keeping others interested in their status can cause an enormous amount of stress. The AAP recommends limiting and monitoring the time a child spends on social networking sites."

BONUS!  Every wonder what happens when one of your Facebook friends dies?  Well, now you know...