Beware of the Impact of Social Media on Children and Adolescents

As internet access increases, social media has become one of the most widely used applications, including children and adolescents. See what impact social media has on the lives of children and adolescents

Most social media enforce certain age rules when registering, on average at 13 years of age. It's just that age counterfeiting is still possible online or online.

The advantages and disadvantages of using social media

Social media does not always endanger children and adolescents. Used wisely, social media will offer many benefits. Social media can be a way to communicate with friends and family, increase creativity, connect with others with similar interests and hobbies, and provide opportunities to participate in various charitable activities.

However, it is also necessary to take into account the disadvantages that children and adolescents may face by using social media, for example:

The risk of meeting strangers makes them afraid or uncomfortable.
See inappropriate impressions for children and adolescents.
Open the possibility of harassment in cyberspace or cyberbullying.

Losses due to the use of social media are very likely to occur. In addition, almost a few teenagers posted photos with their real names. In addition, these teens also mentioned their date of birth, their interests, the name of their school, and the city where they lived. That's why children and teenagers can be targeted by criminals.

In addition to increasing the risk of cyberbullying, the use of social media also has implications for children's psychological health. Psychological effects that may occur in children and adolescents due to excessive use of social media including anxiety disorders and depression.

Safe guide for parents

Indeed, it is not easy to monitor children and adolescents when accessing social media. In addition, at that time, social media could be widely accessed via mobile phones. The digital abilities of children and adolescents often exceed the abilities of their parents.

However, this does not mean that parents can give up control and give everything to the child. The following instructions are designed to monitor children to use social media safely:

Apply age rules using social media

Some social media, such as Twitter, Facebook and Instagram, impose a minimum age requirement of 13 years to create an account. Tell the children that this age limit is so they avoid bad things. In addition, accompany children when accessing social media. In this way, you will find out what your children are doing on social networks.

Watch children's activities on social media

Ask the children to show their activities on social media. When you see a sentence, picture, or video that is not good, suggest him to immediately report it to social media and to you as a parent. In fact, many children and adolescents are still reluctant to report bullying to parents. One study found that more than half of children and adolescents were abused through social media or other digital applications.

Limit the time of access to the mobile and adjust the location of the computer

Not only is the time needed to watch television or play games become limited, the time of access to the Internet via mobile phones must also be limited. Give them rules for using social media, for example 1 to 2 hours after school work ends. If you access social media through a computer, put it in a place that is easily observed by parents.

Privacy and special monitoring programs

Every social media has privacy features that can be adjusted. Ask the child to define the function that you like. This is to protect children from negative things, as well as protect their social media accounts from identity theft. Parents can also use software or software that can be a child's supervisor to access social media, such as to control the words typed, the content of the images shared, and other activities.

Give a good example

Children and adolescents often master technological devices faster than their parents. However, parents must always try to find and try the activities carried out by children. If parents are accustomed to social media, set a good example for children. Avoid writing or sharing something inappropriate.

Social media is a part of technological development that is difficult to control. Therefore, parents should not remain indifferent and begin to make regulations so that children remain safe when using social media.

If using social media stresses a child or has problems with the impact of social media on a child, you can go to the doctor for additional treatment.