Children on social media: pros and cons

The Impact of Social Media on Children

Popular social media platforms are so ingrained in people’s lives that they have become an integral part of them. Not only adults, but also children. Minors are more and more often addicted to social networks and spend a lot of time on them. With this in mind, adults are becoming concerned about how safe this modern craze is and how to talk to children about it in order to come to an understanding. 

Research suggests that children’s users spend at least three hours a day on social platforms – that’s the minimum. The maximum is almost unlimited – many children spend a significant portion of their lives on social networks. Such behaviour cannot but raise questions and concerns among adults.

A radical measure to combat this is a ban on social networking sites. But before resorting to this method, the pros and cons need to be weighed.

Among the advantages of social networks are:

  1. it is an excellent school of communication, in which a child learns the necessary social skills. And communication skills today play an important role in personal development, social standing and career prospects. 
  2. Social platforms provide access to a lot of valuable information, useful information that allows you to expand your horizons, gain new knowledge, understand trends and just keep up to date.
  3. The virtual world confronts harsh realities. The more children sit in social networks, the further away they are from the problems of alcoholism and drug abuse.
  4. Even “closed” personalities communicate on such sites, it is easier for them to find friends of interest here.
The Impact of Social Media on Children | How Do

Let’s not forget the dangers of social networks:

  1. Your child may be in contact with lots of strangers. Among them there may be abusers who may cause psychological or physical harm.
  2. The more children use social networks, the less they move around, which is bad for their physical development.
  3. Real life is being replaced by virtual life. Being immersed in the world of social networks, the child often stops being interested in ordinary things.
  4. Self-esteem problems arise and dependence on the opinion of third parties, including strangers, grows.
  5. 5Information that may negatively influence the child is in the public domain.

So how should one negotiate with a child about his or her time in social networks?

Follow the recommendations of experts to come to an understanding:

  • When talking about it, listen carefully to your child and show interest in his hobbies and opinions. Then he won’t have to hide anything from you. Help your child create an account, give helpful tips on how to use social networks, periodically send interesting news to become part of their virtual life and keep track of their activities.
  • Tell them about online safety rules: what a closed account is, why you can’t post personal photos or describe the details of your life, and how this can be used by cybercriminals.

An open dialogue on an equal footing, advice on a case will be more useful than a total ban on the use of social networks. A moratorium could lead to the opposite, negative consequences.