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Facebook Says Social Media Can Make You Feel Bad

MENLO PARK, Calif. (AP) — It's not quite like tobacco companies warning about the dangers of smoking, but Facebook is acknowledging something many already know: Passively scrolling through social media can make you feel bad.

The social media giant whose platform has become a daily addiction for hundreds of millions of people sheds light on both sides of the issue a blog post Friday.

It notes both an increase in teen depression with technology use, as well as improvements in well-being from interacting with close friends online.

Facebook says that when people passively consume content on the platform, they feel worse.

But the company also notes that when users actively interact online with people they care about, it helps them feel better. Facebook, of course, thrives when people engage with its platform.

(© Copyright 2017 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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