You know society is going completely downhill when researchers are now studying a new form of depression directly related to Facebook. That’s right, there are now studies on potential harms linked with social media and referring to a condition they say may affect teens that obsess over the online site called Facebook Depression.

     While the results and purpose of these studies are still new and somewhat unclear, how stupid does it sound at first, but then, how plausible does it sound when you really dig into it? Oh wait, no, it still just sounds completely stupid. So ridiculous I can’t even think of a reason it could possibly be beneficial to read into.

     However, researchers are saying that “Facebook depression” can be more painful than sitting alone in a crowded school cafeteria or other real-life encounters that can make kids feel down, because Facebook provides a skewed view of what's really going on. And while I agree that words said on Facebook might be more intensified because kids will say more hiding behind their computer screen than to someone’s face, I don’t think this is something that can make someone depressed.

     So even though the facts are there and pretty true, it’s only natural and it’s a normal thing for society today. Yes, I suppose kids, mostly teenage girls, will be sad after having a huge battle on someone’s Facebook status and getting completely ripped to shreds, but that’s the generation we’re in. However, cyber bullying isn’t the only focus of what causes this said ‘depression.’

     What they’re also focusing on is the popularity contest embedded into the Web site. Apparently, I can get severely depressed if my picture doesn’t have as many comments as yours, or my status didn’t get as many likes as yours, or people don’t post on my wall as much as yours, or I just don’t have as many Facebook friends as you.

     Seriously, have any of you ever even thought about this? Like, I’m sure you go home and check your Facebook and think “Oh, my status is way funnier than Joe’s but his has 12 likes and mine only has four. Everyone must hate me, Tyler is so much cooler!” And then you go and sob. No, sorry, that’s not how it happens, because I for one honestly couldn’t care less, so I know you probably don’t care either.

     They’re also saying how people might get intensely upset when they see people’s Facebook activities and see their friends may be doing something without them, or that someone had a party you weren’t invited to and posted pictures, or the guy you like suddenly changed his relationship status to being in a relationship with a girl you hate. And while yes, these things might upset someone when they find out on Facebook, it doesn’t mean they wouldn’t find out some other way and not be upset by it.

     Maybe kids who already have really severe depression problems or self esteem issues, or really immature, stupid girls who crave attention could be upset by things like this, but even so, 99% of me is thinking they probably aren’t going to get clinically depressed about it.