Two agents with local expertise delivering remarkable results! Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) on the impact of social media on children, adolescents and families cited that "Facebook depression" is one of the risk factors that teens may face with overexposure to social media. Facebook depression has been defined as an affliction resulting from spending a great deal of time on social networking sites and then feeling unaccepted among peers online. While it is similar to other forms of depres- sion, psychology professionals have been adamant that Facebook does not lead to clinical depression. Excessive use of Facebook — espe- cially by teens — may lead to feelings of malaise, jealousy and low self- esteem in addition to a lack of accep- tance. It can cause anxiety and with- drawal, as well as a propensity toward engaging in risky behaviors. In the digital age, we have mistak- enly taken what is posted on network- ing sites like Facebook as a realistic snapshot of the lives of others. We see the bar of success placed higher than it actually should be due to the way people share only the best parts of their lives on the Web. It is not only teenagers who are sus- ceptible to Facebook depression. Men and women in all age demographics experience the fear of not living up to the triumphant lives of others in addi- tion to what has become known as "FOLO" — a fear of being left out. It is all too easy to log into Facebook and scroll through the Newsfeed to see photos and videos of friends on magnificent vacations, at expensive Broadway shows and concerts, and celebrating life's milestones in pure joy and contentment. This best-of-life imagery is not an accurate portrayal of the ups and downs of actual life. People share the best of times with their connections on Facebook and leave the ugliness behind closed doors. Countless couples like Zuckerberg and his wife, who are struggling to start a family, are pained to see the seemingly perfect images posted to Facebook of happy couples with their babies and young children. Infertile couples often choose to deactivate their Facebook accounts rather than endure the feelings of envy and resent- ment seeing their friends posting announcements of their pregnancies. Teens waiting to hear from the col- lege of their choice begrudge their friends who share the news of their acceptance on Facebook and other social networks. Those who recently experienced the death of a child are hurt to see posts on Facebook of friends with their children. Older unmarried individuals dread logging in to Facebook where they will encounter another of their friends' engagement announcements and those who are going through a divorce get distressed at the popular wedding throwback photos posted to mark another joyous anniversary. Children of divorce see their friends posing with their complete family and feel dejected. Those in financial hard- ship see entire photo albums of their friends' vacations and feel inadequate. It's a natural human emotion to see the grass as always greener on the other side. Facebook has taken these feelings to a whole new level, often resulting in depression and anxiety. What is essential is to remember that Facebook is not a depiction of the 24-7-365 real lives of anyone. People only post the highlights. Seeing photos of your friends on the golf course, at concerts and at sporting events with their family does not mean they don't sit stressed out behind a desk most of the day doing work they do not enjoy. Photos of daily monotony, how- ever, are not popular posts on social networks. Posts about the latest cute and endearing thing one's child did are ripe for Facebook sharing, but the daily struggles of parenthood don't often make it to the Facebook Wall. No one wants to air their dirty laundry on Facebook for public consumption, making the majority of what we see in the Facebook Newsfeed wholly posi- tive and an unrealistic portrayal of the totality of our friends' lives. Before unplugging all your com- puters, deactivating your Facebook account and going back to the non- Internet cell phones of a bygone era, it is important to remember there are many benefits to Facebook and other social networks. We are able to share our memories with others, meet new people, engage with our community, support impor- tant causes and maintain longstanding friendships. Like everything in life, there are pros and cons. Just remem- ber, Facebook is not an accurate por- trayal of your friends' lives. O ur goal is to engage buyers and sellers bring them together to get top dollar for your extraordinary property. From the first meeting to the closing Dana and Sandra will give you exceptional service and knowledge to showcase all the elements of your beautiful home. We will strategically market, stage and price your home to captivate an audience in this constantly evolving real estate market. Call us for a FREE home analysis! Sandra Treboldi Dana Labes Realtor Signature Realtor Signature Sotheby's International Realty Sotheby's International Realty streboldi@signaturesothebys.com dlabes@signaturesothebys.com cell: 248.672.9669 cell: 248.514.0781 Signature Sotheby's INTERNATIONAL REALTY 415 S. Old Woodward, Birmingham MI 48009 I 248-644-7000 1981970 CONGRATULATIONS GLASSMAN SUBARU A division of MAW TV trAM AUTOMOTIVE GROUP Rated #1 In Best Purchase Experience in the Midwest 2013 and 2014 Jeff Stewart Assistant New Car Sales Manager 248-636-2736 ❑ iato SUBARU 0 Rabbi Jason Miller is a local entrepreneur, educator and blogger. He is the technology expert for the Detroit Jewish News. Follow him on Twitter at ®RabbiJason. HYUTIDRI S i 1161 J OWNER PROGRAM Serving Our Community For Over 45 Years! 28000 Telegraph Rd • Southfield • ■ • 1998840 August 20 • 2015 27