Experts believe teenagers who use social websites may magnify thoughts of self-harm

By Staff Writer

Troubled teens may be at a greater risk of harming themselves if they use social networking sites like Facebook, experts say.

A psychiatry professor at a Massachusetts-based university recently said that while there are positive aspects of social networking sites, they also add a new form of bullying. These sites, which have become increasingly popular with young people, can potentially intensify thoughts of self-harm in a child with low self-esteem.

"There are obvious negatives, the immediacy with which kids now deal with everything and see everything online so everybody can read it and it’s humiliating,” the professor told the news source.

Experts suggest that parents set up guidelines for their children, especially those suffering from mental health problems, in order to control their use of social networking websites. 

According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), suicide is the third leading cause of death among adolescents and teenagers. The NIMH also states that for every teen suicide death, there are 10 more suicide attempts.