Facebook and Twitter "creating self-obsessed people"

London: Facebook and Twitter have created a generation obsessed with themselves, who have short attention spans and a childlike desire for constant feedback on their lives, says a top scientist.

Repeated exposure to social networking sites leaves users with an "identity crisis", wanting attention in the manner of a toddler saying: "Look at me, Mummy, I've done this."

Baroness Greenfield, professor of pharmacology at Oxford University, believes the growth of internet "friendships" – as well as greater use of computer games – could effectively "rewire" the brain.

This can result in reduced concentration, a need for instant gratification and poor non-verbal skills, such as the ability to make eye contact during conversations.

More than 750 million people across the world use Facebook to share photographs and videos and post regular updates of their movements and thoughts. Millions have also signed up to Twitter, the micro-blogging service that lets members circulate short text and picture messages about themselves.

Baroness Greenfield, former director of research body the Royal Institution, said: "What concerns me is the banality of so much that goes out on Twitter. Why should someone be interested in what someone else has had for breakfast? It reminds me of a small child (saying): 'Look at me Mummy, I'm doing this', 'Look at me Mummy I'm doing that'.

'It's almost as if they're in some kind of identity crisis. In a sense it's keeping the brain in a sort of time warp."

The academic suggested that some Facebook users feel the need to become "mini celebrities" who are watched and admired by others on a daily basis.

They do things that are "Facebook worthy" because the only way they can define themselves is by "people knowing about them".

'It's almost as if people are living in a world that's not a real world, but a world where what counts is what people think of you or (if they) can click on you," she said.

"Think of the implications for society if people worry more about what other people think about them than what they think about themselves."

Her views were echoed by Sue Palmer, a literacy expert and author, who said girls in particular believe they are a "commodity they must sell to other people" on Facebook.

She said: "People used to have a portrait painted but now we can more or less design our own picture online. It's like being the star of your own reality TV show that you create and put out to the world."

http://gulfnews.com/news/world/uk/fa...eople-1.845574

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I've read some comments by a few members complaining about their lack friendships(due to the pressure of being Undocumented) and Facebook, though I'd share this.

yea i always knew this was true. Its funny because all my friends have facebook and i refuse to have one and they always tell me im weird because i dont have one i just tell them , the truth has set me free.

I'm like you Alex. When someone asks me about fb I have to fight the urge to lecture them on everything wrong with that shithole. Twitter is a million times worse though. Narcissism at its purest

Nice to see more people that think this way. For my English 1B class I wrote a 16 page paper on why I didn't use Facebook. I researched things like the article mentioned. My mom, dad, brother, and sister are avid Facebook users. It is sad that they sometimes are sitting at the dinner table and each of them on their cell phones Facebooking away. Lack of communication. They are lost and have fallen to the Facebook addiction. If anyone wants to read my Facebook paper let me know. I can send it. Otherwise I can post it on here . Down with Facebook. True friends are those that know your birthday and need not the reminder Facebook gives when one's birthday is approaching. Sadness.

I would read it if you post it BestBefore.

article was kinda weak.

video related.

I like that commercial, makes me laugh....

Interesting. I used to log into facebook numerous times but few months ago I quit it for good by deactivating my account. I'm using Twitter regularly now and I really think its much better and more useful than Facebook if you use it properly. The reason why I enjoy Twitter is the ability to get news very very quickly and see whats trending in different regions of the world.

hello my name is buckminsterfullerene, people call me bucky for short and I was a facebook addict, I have not posted an update in the past month and 23 days *twitch*

I too would like to read your article if/once you decide to post it, BestBefore1984. From posts I've come across in the past, it appears popular for us Dreamers to deviate from facebook because "my classmates from high school are here or there, while I'm still only blah blah blah... I'm so ashamed of where I'm at with my life... etc."

I drink occasionally, and am fine. I've even tried posting a new status on facebook occasionally and, stunningly, am just as fine... But, due to those 5-10, mostly girls, who change their profile pic/status update every 4 hours, I do have to agree with the article.