Social Media

Social Media

1. Pro

   • It lets them do good
     • Twitter, Facebook and other large social networks expose kids to important issues and people from all over the world. Kids realize they have a voice they didn’t have before and are doing everything from crowdfunding social justice projects to anonymously tweeting positive thoughts. Check out these sites that help kids do good.
       • Enhances globalisation.
         • The advent of social media has meant that the world has become smaller. We are no longer bound by geographic borders or physical distance. Teenagers can now easily communicate with people from all over the world and experience all the benefits that exposure to other cultures and ideas brings.
       • Social Media 100% safe.
         • If we teach our children and teenagers how to propperly use social media we will not be concern about the bad situations that could happen,
       • Social Media Is a Tool for Gathering Information.
         • Social media has become a source of information and news for many teens. Once they begin social networking, they can follow just about anyone with a social media account. From favorite authors and athletes to celebrities, chefs, nonprofit organizations, and magazines, they are connected to all sorts of information.
           • Teens also can gather information about issues that impact them or their friends. For instance, if they are concerned a friend might have an eating disorder or a drug addiction, they can gather information about it. Or, if they want to learn more about a presidential election, climate change or even find new ways to eat healthy, they can do so on their social media accounts.
   • It strengthens friendships. Studies.
     • Including Common Sense Media’s “Social Media, Social Life: How Teens View Their Digital Lives” and the Pew Research Center’s “Teens, Technology and Friendships” show that social media helps teenagers make friends and keep them.
       • Provides entertainment and education.
         • The vast majority of social media content provides seemingly endless entertainment. Children can watch videos, view pictures and read blogs, many of which have educational benefits. Social networking sites can also facilitate discussion of homework and assignment topics and provide a base for research and fact-finding initiatives.
       • Trust
         • Teenagers use social media to express themselves, if parents are monitoring everything they do they will not feel trusted or respected. Also they will always feel observe and will not be comfortable speaking about some things, like who they like, or what was their score in the test or even little things like what they are craving.
           • If we do not give the teenagers some freedom we are not trusting in them or the way they were educated.
   • It can offer a sense of belonging.
     • A study conducted by Griffith University and the University of Queensland in Australia found that although American teens have fewer friends than their historical counterparts, they are less lonely than teens in past decades. They report feeling less isolated and have become more socially adept, partly because of an increase in technology use.
       • Mental health benefits.
         • Social media use stimulates the production of oxytocin which reduces stress levels and promotes feelings of happiness. Online interactions are often much easier than socialising in person – they require little to no emotion and are less demanding. The reward and happiness we receive from likes and positive comments are often the result of very little effort and time. Acording to Pew Research Center’s

2. Teenagers

   • Are the ones between adulthood and chilhood, these are not longer kids, and they are trying to find themesleves, they are living in a face where they are experimenting changes and trying to look for answers and things they like. They are begining to have more freedom, and within it they are makink mistakes and trying to learn from them .

3. Cons

   • Cyberbullying
     • Statistics revealed by the Children’s eSafety Commission in 2016 showed that 19 percent of children aged 14 to 17 reported being harassed or bullied online. It puts children and teenagers in danger of becoming physical victims of bullying.
       • Advertising
         • Social media tools use algorithms to collect personal data such as your date of birth and home address so that advertisers can use that information to target consumers. This can be dangerous because it means your personal information is no longer confidential and teenagers can be exposed to advertising and products that they may not be ready for.
   • Platform for predators
     • Social media provides a platform for predators to groom and abuse children. Users are able to create fake profiles and children are at risk of communicating with people who are unknown to them and who might cause them harm. Children should never disclose their personal information and location to any person on social media.
       • Lack of focus.
         • Social media can be a distraction. It can divert attention from an activity that your child is supposed to be focusing on, such as study, sporting commitments or assignments. It’s important to ensure your child is maintaining a healthy lifestyle and participating in social activities away from the computer.
           • False sense of security.
             • Teens may be inclined to do things on social media that they would not do in public, like post a compromising photo or saying something they would never have the courage to say in person. Teens should be made aware of the impact their digital footprint could have on their future. While it may be difficult for them to think past school, future potential employers could use social media profiles to gain an insight into their personality and personal life.
       • They can be expose to things that could damage the,.
         • From a very early age they get exposed to thing like pornography, violence, etc. If parents are supervising their social media they could orotect them from information that in the future could damage them.
   • Addictive
     • Due to the fact that social media use can generate reward and feelings of happiness so easily, it’s a practice that tends to become addictive. It can also be very time consuming, teens can waste hours online.
       • Parents should limit screen time and set clear expectations about social media usage.