Facebook depression?

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics "Facebook depression" is defined as depression that develops when preteens and teens spend a great deal of time on social media sites, such as Facebook, and then begin to exhibit classic symptoms of depression.


Apparently social media is the primary way tweens and teens interact socially.  Sigh.  THIS new finding depressed me.  Iron Fist will be a tween in a couple years and if things are this bad now I shudder to think how it will be then.  I mean Facebook depression? Is there no moderation anymore?  These kids are being exposed to cyber bullying, sexting, inappropriate content, predators and God knows what else.  Where are the parents?  Who is monitoring all of this?  It angers me when technology is blamed, no the parents are to blame. If you see your child sitting in front of the computer for hours assume something is not right.  Please.  A 10 year cannot have that much homework.  Take an interest.  Do not allow the computer to babysit your child.  


On a similar note, children are being given more than they are possibly ready for, and yes by the parents.  For example, I was taking a leisurely stroll in the park with the Romanian, enjoying the afternoon.  These two little girls around Iron Fists age go skipping by, I smile benignly upon them thinking "how sweet, so nice to see kids out and about playing and such" By the way, I am aware that I am portraying myself as a granny but I don't care, I like leisurely strolls and I enjoy smiling benignly upon random cute kids.  Sue me, I'm 33 goddammit.  Anyway, I digress. Said cute, skipping kid stops abruptly in front of us and whips out her, yes HER, cell phone and barks into it, "where have you been you stupid prick I've been calling you all day!!"  Apparently her boyfriend was remiss in returning her phone calls on time.  The Romanian and I are speechless.  A brief argument and her and her friend resume skipping, all the way to the swings where they return to being children.  


Now why, for the love of Bob, does this child need a cell phone?  Did she go to the provider, request a plan and sign the contract?  Is she paying the monthly bills? By giving her this phone her parents are inadvertently robbing her of her childhood.  People just because we have a lot at our availability does not mean we have to utilize. Moderation. 


Iron Fist is not getting a cell phone, she can use two tin cans and a string.