Social media platforms have influenced the lives of children and young teens in many ways. These platforms are associated with negative and positive aspects. Owing to this fact, there is the need for people to appreciate the impact of social media so that they can caution children and young teens against the dangers of the same. This paper highlights the positive and negative influence of social media on the lives of children and young teens.
Social media platforms influence the lives of children and young teens in a positive way by making it easy to access health information. Social media platforms provide channels through which children and young teens suffering from specific health conditions develop supportive associations with people suffering from similar health conditions. Patrut and Monica (25) write that, “Given that the new social media venues all have mobile applications, teenagers will have enhanced opportunities to learn about their health issues and communicate with their doctors.” Social groups founded on similar health conditions enhance adherence to medication and information sharing among the members.
Social media platforms have enhanced learning opportunities. It has been determined that teenagers make use of social media platforms in executing assignments and homework tasks. Smith (270) writes, “Facebook and similar social media programs allow students to gather outside of class to collaborate and exchange ideas about assignments.” These platforms are also used by children and young teens to exchange ideas that boost their learning activities.
The third positive influence of social media on the lives of children and young teens encompasses enhanced socialization and communication. Some of the most significant errands that need to be accomplished by this group are accomplished online. Besides, this group of people gets connected to people with similar ideas. Also, other activities such as community engagement and participation are coordinated better through social media.
Furthermore, social media platforms have a negative impact on the lives of children and young teens. One of the negative influences on the lives of this group of people is Facebook depression. It has been found that most children and teens spend most of their time on social media platforms. This facilitates the development of depression among users of social media. Strasburger (70) documents that, “The intensity of the online world is thought to be a factor that may trigger depression in some adolescents.” There is also the likelihood of Facebook depression leading to social isolation that underpins self-destructive behavior such as drug abuse.
A recent research determined that about 20% of teens engage in sexting. Sexting is sending and receiving sexually explicit materials via the social media platforms. This has serious consequences on this group of people. In fact, victims practicing sexting can be charged in a court of law. In some instances, high school students have been suspended from school because of sexting.
The other negative influence on this group of people founded on social media platforms is cyber-bullying and online harassment. Children and young teens are predisposed to false and hostile information that can be embarrassing. This is likely to affect the way these people relate with their peers. The victims of cyber-bullying are also predisposed to psychosocial conditions such as depression and suicidal thoughts. It would also lead to severe isolation and anxiety among children and young teens.
In summary, there is a need to appreciate the impact of social media that would either be positive or negative. Thus, measures should be taken to contain the negative influence of social media on the lives of children and young teens.
Works Cited
Patrut, Bogdan, and Monica, Patrut. Social Media in Higher Education: Teaching in Web 2.0. Hershey PA: Information Science Reference, 2013. Print.
Smith, Kel. Digital Outcasts: Moving Technology Forward Without Leaving People Behind. Waltham, MA: Morgan Kaufmann, 2013. Print.
Strasburger, Victor. Children, Adolescents, and the Media. Philadelphia: Saunders, 2012. Print.