Social Networking Causes Cancer

Just another reason to cancel your Facebook and MySpace accounts.

According to psychologist Dr. Aric Sigman (see totally creepy pic to the left), spending too much time on social networking sites like Facebook and MySpace and less time interacting face to face might leave you with a greater risk of developing serious health issues like cancer and dementia. (And no I didn't pay him to say that!)

According to Sigman, increased isolation results in a decrease of the "cuddle chemical" known as oxytocin. Oxytocin has been
found to prevent heart disease and may explain the relationship between social contact and reduced cardiovascular disease.

Although I love what Sigman is spewing, I think that the press may have picked up this story and ran with it. Sigman's homepage is notes the following:

NOTE: This paper has been misrepresented by many news reports as claiming that social networking causes cancer or disease. This is not true. The paper addresses the extent to which time online may be displacing face-to-face contact, and that lack of social connection is associated with physiological changes, increased incidence of illness and higher premature mortality.

Hmm....it seems as if the press may have the same agenda as me....