Liking on Facebook Good for Teens Stress, Being Liked... not so Much (IMAGE)

University of Montreal

Liking on Facebook Good for Teens Stress, Being Liked... not so Much

Caption

Facebook can have positive and negative effects on teens levels of a stress hormone, say researchers at the University of Montreal and the Institut universitaire de santé mentale de Montréal. Led by Professor Sonia Lupien, the team found that having more than 300 Facebook friends increased teens' levels of cortisol. On the other hand, teens who act in ways that support their Facebook friends -- for example, by liking what they posted or sending them words of encouragement -- decreased their levels of cortisol. Their findings were published in Psychoneuroendocrinology.

Credit

University of Montreal

Usage Restrictions

Credit source as 'Université de Montréal' or 'University of Montreal'

License

Licensed content

Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.