Or should that be the science of the soundbite? Another “scientist” weighs in, with no evidence whatsoever, on the “dangers” of social networking, even suggesting that social networking is related to the increase in the precription of “methylphenidate, the drug prescribed for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder.” (quoted in the Guardian).
The sensationalism and lack of any concern for addressing minor factors like proven causality in her argument is already being addressed in pretty forthright terms elsewhere. most notably by the wonderful Bad Science (and seen as an outright positive in some quarters) but the spurious comment on the link between Facebook and methylphenidate, otherwise known as Ritalin, is worth taking note of. Over-prescription (and the hard sell behind it) of Ritalin has been a concern amongst many scientists and medical practitioners for a long time – see articles from Dr Koop, in the Independent and, dating back thirteen years and utterly scuppering Greefield’s contention that increases are aligned with use of social networks, the US DEA’s strongly worded statement. It’s use and abuse are deeply embedded in a wide range of socio-economic and medical concerns. The link between Ritalin and too much Facebook has yet to appear in any research that I know of. I should add that I’ve nothing against the use of any legimate psychopharmaceutical treatment given proper diagnosis and support and that ADD is a genuine and distressing disorder – but it isn’t the same as the undeveloped social skills you’d expect from a five year old under normal circumstances. Perhaps she’s confusing ADD and lack of prodcutivity. But that’s another story and I’d better not go there…
Of course, there were those who back in the 19th century vociferously objected to the idea of railways on the grounds of the absurdity of trains travelling twice as fast as stagecoaches. Doctors proved how cows would die, still births would increase and generally speaking, the world would end. And in balance (I’m such a wet liberal) I should mention that Andrew Keen takes it all one ludicrous stage further.
Filed under: Uncategorized
