The boons of social media have taken the world by storm. It keeps channels open for an uninhibited exchange of virtues, beliefs, and learning between different communities of the world. However, with the spiraling expanse of the virtual networking, it is very easy to get entangled in the mesh. This reality has brought many parents around the world to fear the long lasting impressions that social media is carving on young minds.
Children of all age groups have their hands on iPads, computers, and other gadgets since very early in life. With a realization of the fact that pre-schoolers to teenagers, each one of our children are building new skills every day. As parents and the guardians of their wellbeing, do we actually want the impact of this technology and these gadgets to impede the pace? Studies across the world have revealed the great extent to which young minds are getting impacted by social media. While a toddler swiping his finger on daddy’s new iPhone is yet to get impacted severely, his teenage brother already is a victim. When each one of them tries to showcase their perfect life and body through these social platforms; they encourage feelings of inadequacy in others.
Studies prove how teenagers today suffer from anxiety and depression, promoted by social media. In the age of internet narcissism, it is the parents’ responsibility to openly discuss the pros and cons of social media, with their children. Let’s capture some of these.
Pros
- Education Agent: Social media is a great source to spread awareness and education about a different theme. Or, to ensure that you are always connected to your teachers, peers, seniors, or coaches for a timely exchange of ideas and information.For instance, you could use GoAssignmentHelp for online assignment writing.
- Communication Bridge: Social media is a great communication agent. Bridging the geographical boundaries and other limitations one can seek real-time information, reach out to experts, or seek help. Teenagers who deal with anxiety or depression can reach out for help to correct sources, at the correct time.
- Bridges Barriers: Since social media is a communication bridge, it dissolves barriers of caste, creed, and nationality. Thereby, giving equal opportunity to everyone and helping to build relationships. Teenagers can make friends from within different communities and nationalities, without any inhibitions.
- Reaffirming Identity: Teenage is a tender stage in life. A multitude of happenings impact the mind and so do inspirational stories and journeys. Teenagers can follow great world leaders and corporate honchos. They can study their life, aspirations, journey, failures, and successes; to draft their own future paths.
Cons
- Losing Connect with the Reality: These gadgets become a part of teenage lives. So much so that virtual reality is the ‘new reality’. iPads have replaced the casual dining table conversation because everyone is looking for likes and comments on the last post. Ironically the communication bridge is creating distances between the real families.
- Lack of Focus: Living in the virtual world can sometimes take you far from reality. This stands true when students from schools and colleges want to stay glued to their gadgets, instead of the books. They would rather text and post for answers, than research on their own.
- Impact on Social Skills: Virtual world allows one to hide behind the screen. Evidently keeping you away from an opportunity to work on your social skills and mannerisms. This is something to be really scared of. Studies suggest excessive use of social media impairs the ability to work on your body language, facial expressions etc.
- Laxity of Human Emotions: Among many other negatives, this one is a highly disturbing facet of social media. The mode doesn’t allow personal connects or emotions to flow free. It hides the intimidating aspects or the hurt that a comment can cause. It enhances feelings of loneliness, anxiety, and depression to cause the greater effect on someone. With no one else to take help or assistance to the impacted person timely.
- Peer Pressure and Cyberbullying: Per the American Psychological Association 32 percent of online teens have been victims of cyberbullying in various forms. Amongst the worst nightmares of social media are the rising instances of cyberbullying. Teenagers fail to understand the repercussions of bullying someone or be bullied by an unknown face, over the virtual platforms. It leads to people getting into depression and taking drastic steps. On the other hand, many cases are reported wherein teenagers do fake representations. From body shaming others to mocking their financial status, it leads to excessive peer pressure. Where teenagers find a need to be just like the others.
While social media has great pros, the growing cons are overshadowing these. At times it becomes a life and death matter for people and this cannot be taken lightly. As parents to teenagers, we need to educate and guide the young generation. With an agenda to take them away from the cons; we need to ensure that they understand the larger impact of the medium, and use it wisely.
