Facebook depression’ doesn’t exist

A clinical report released last week by the American Academy of Pediatrics makes the claim that “researchers have proposed a new condition called ‘Facebook depression.’”

It 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,” according to the report.

The catchy new condition got the report plenty of media attention. Trouble is, it’s a made-up condition.

After examining the report’s related references, speaking with the report’s lead author and talking to the lead author of one of the research studies that the claim is based on, I’ve concluded that the diagnosis of Facebook depression is a nonexistent condition.