Facebook is good for you

By Hannah Thomas on Thursday 9 February 2012

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Woman on Facebook REX

Facebook is good for more than a chat. Researchers have found that social networking sites spark a natural high, causing your heart rate and stress levels to decrease.

While it has been criticised as a solitary activity, the research by the Auxologico Italian Institute and the Catholic University in Milan and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology suggests that communicating via these social networks has a positive effect on the mind and body.

Findings published in the online journal Cyberpsychology, Behaviour and Social Networking shows time spent on Facebook induces high levels of attractiveness and arousal.

'The success of social networking sites might be associated with a specific positive affective state experienced by users when they use their account,' say the researchers.

But Lady Susan Greenfield from the University of Oxford warns that over use of social networking sites could shorten attention span, encourage instant gratification and cause a loss of empathy.

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