The internet and social media have become vital tools in modern life. They offer a variety of benefits, including quick access to information, interaction with people from different cultures, and the development of technological skills.
However, interactions of children with the internet pose great threats to emotional and social well-being of children. Therefore, parents need to know dangers posed by social networks as well as resultant effects of misuse.
In this article, we will discuss the main risks of social media use by children and teenagers, the consequences of excessive use, and how it is possible to establish a healthy balance between online and offline life.
Dangers of social media for children
Social media, despite being widely used for socializing and entertainment, can pose significant risks to children and adolescents.
With easy access to various platforms, young people can encounter situations that negatively impact their emotional and psychological well-being. Below, we highlight the main dangers of social media:
Table of Contents
1. Exposure to inappropriate content
Although there are filter mechanisms on the websites, these filters are not able to work fully with child to internet interaction. Sometimes children are still exposed to some inappropriate content such as violence scenes, foul mouthed, and adult themes.
This will make the situation even more confusing and contribute to a distorted perception of reality, resulting in negative impact on emotional development
2. Cyberbullying and harassment online
The digital environment allows for anonymity and lack of responsibility, which enables the practice of cyberbullying and harassment.
Children can be victims of bad comments, defamation or social exclusion , and it may have grave emotional consequences such as isolation, depression, and even losing interest in doing things that were previously enjoyable.
3. Privacy concerns
Children cannot differentiate much in terms of privacy. Their location, habits, or pictures on the internet may lead to unwanted contact and worse, physical danger.
Without direction, a connection between children and the internet can be unconsciously accessing the networks and hence opens ways to possible dangers of fraud and risky exposure to persons with harmful intentions.
4. Comparison and low self-esteem
The need to idealize life comes hand in hand with the sharing of moments on social media. Children as a result start drawing comparisons with these ‘idealistic scenarios’ which sadly gives rise to the feelings of inferiority. This goes especially for aspects regarding looks, way of life, and achievements.
In adolescence, constant comparison can lead to low self-esteem , insecurity and even eating and emotional disorders.
Consequences of excessive use of social networks
Negative effect upon the physical, emotional and social development of the youth caused by excessive use of the technology in childhood and adolescence are given below, along with several main consequences:
1. Problems related to mental health:
The more time spent on social media, the higher levels of anxiety and stress . Non-stop exposure to digital content and interaction creates a sense of urgency and a need to always be connected, which affects sleep and emotional well-being.
In addition, the imbalance between life spent online and that spent in life outside of cyberspace will lead to depression and impair the ability to handle emotional struggles properly. Emotional intelligence development is hindered.
2. Academic performance decrease
Too much time on social media is also distracting children and adolescents away from other important activities such as studying and homework. These distractions through notifications and updates lead to the problem of inability to concentrate as well as reduced academic performances.
Often, most young people end up wasting too much time on social media that is spent more hours than it spends on studying, resulting in low grades and lower performance.
To avoid conflicts, it is essential to always establish non-violent communication when setting limits on internet access and warning young people about the dangers of social media.
3. Damage to social development
Although social networks promote digital interaction, they do not replace face-to-face social interactions. Excessive use of these platforms can reduce the time spent on social activities and face-to-face interactions, hindering the development of socio-emotional skills , such as empathy, communication and conflict resolution.
This may eventually cause isolation and problems in interpersonal relations in the real world.
4. Digital dependency
Sustained usage of social media can lead to a phenomenon known as digital dependency wherein the child or teenager develops an uncontrollable urge to be connected and always checks for updates.
Such dependency can produce compulsive behavior, which renders a person unable to disconnect and engage in non-screen-related activities. He ignores the significance of social interaction.
These are results that portray how essential it is to check and limit the use of social media between children and the internet.
also read: 10 tips for a stress-free and peaceful return to school
