Social site 'can make children anxious and aggressive'

FACEBOOK can make children and teenagers depressed, anxious and aggressive, but trying to spy on them is futile, according to new research.

The study by US psychologists claims there can be benefits in using the social networking website but warns that overuse may carry significant risks.

It concludes that any attempts by parents to monitor their technology-savvy children's web habits are unlikely to succeed.

The study said the teenagers who used Facebook most often displayed "narcissistic tendencies", developing into "other psychological disorders, including antisocial behaviour, mania and aggressive tendencies". It added that children of all ages who spend too long monitoring social media are "more prone to anxiety, depression and other psychological disorders".

But according to Professor Larry Rosen, lead author of the report, parents who monitor what their children get up to online are likely to find their efforts fruitless, as their offspring are usually one step ahead of them.

In a report for the American Psychological Association, he said there were both benefits and risks in children and teens using Facebook.

The benefits included getting shy and introverted young people to open up socially. These are children who may normally find it hard to meet new friends but can do so online.