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Teens Turn Back on Facebook

Taking time out from social network obsession

By Jen Paton,  Newser User

Posted Dec 21, 2009 4:34 AM CST

(Newser) – While older people stress about new privacy settings, some teens are calling timeout on Facebook, choosing to concentrate on college applications, finals, and real life, reports the New York Times. One girl made a pact with her best friend to stay off, noting: “We spent way too much time obsessing over Facebook and it would be better if we took a break from it.”

Facebook does not release statistics on quitters and it's notoriously hard to permanently delete an account. Teens, however, are employing creative strategies to stay offline. One girl asked her older sister to change her password every Sunday, and reveal it only on Friday night. Her grades immediately improved, plus her mom stopped bothering her about being online all the time. Maybe they're on to something.

So over it: when will the olds catch on?
So over it: when will the olds catch on?   (AP Photo/Russel A. Daniels)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 9 comments
dearlizzie
Dec 21, 2009 12:38 PM CST
A story based on a sourceless anecdote about two teens not supported by any wider reporting, much less any polls, surveys or science? This may be true for these "two" particular teens, but where is any indication this is a larger trend? It certainly doesn't apply for any teens or tweens I know during this winer vacation. They're just as busy with FB as ever despite college apps for seniors (1 out of 15 teens or so). I administer a non-profit's large FB group with plenty of young adult Friends from the US and other countries; we've noticed no drop off in either the number of status updates or the number of FB Friends posting them.
NxBigmouthery
Dec 21, 2009 12:02 PM CST
Did you really need to add that last sentence?
offspringdude235
Dec 21, 2009 8:07 AM CST
Don't worry, those people will soon fail out.

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