Introduction
Social media has become a part of everyday life for numerous adolescents. In fact, according to the Pew Research Center, three-quarters of American teens aged 13 to 17 use social media ( Vogels et al., 2022). Social media has significantly impacted adolescents’ positive and negative cultures (Monroe, 2022). Unfortunately, social media has also been linked to a variety of negative issues, similar as cyberbullying, lack of face-to-face relations, and, indeed, the live streaming of graphic content (Wojdan et al., 2021; Gentina et al., 2021). There are some serious counteraccusations for adolescents who are using social media. With this in mind, it is important to consider whether or not social media should have a legal age limit, if there should be restrictions on what minors can post, and if there should be an alert system for parents (Gayle, 2021). In addition, it is important to consider whether females are more influential than males when it comes to social media use and if schools are doing enough to help adolescents floundering with social media’s adverse effects.
Many teenagers’ lives now revolve around their constant connection to various social media platforms. As a result, several unfavorable consequences have been associated with it. One of the biggest drawbacks of using social media is the increased risk of cyberbullying, especially among young people. The term “cyberbullying” refers to the “use of technology to harass, threaten, humiliate, or attack another person” (Monroe, 2022). Adolescents are particularly vulnerable to the mental health consequences of cyberbullying, ranging from anxiety and sadness to suicide ideation (Monroe, 2022).
Secondly, Many parents are worried about their kids seeing violent content streamed life online. As per Wojdan et al. (2021) study on the topic, young people’s “tendency to post and consume material containing explicit photographs and videos on social media” is harmful to their physical and mental health. Therefore, as a result, Adolescents, who may be too immature and innocent to grasp the repercussions of their behavior, are especially vulnerable to the negative effects of this sort of material.
Lastly, Adolescents’ mental health might be negatively impacted because of the isolation that can result from less time spent interacting with others in person due to the prevalence of social media use. Gentina et al. (2021) state that “over usage of social media might lead to loneliness, social isolation, and even despair.” Adolescents who do not get enough face-to-face time may develop less empathy than their peers, which may have serious consequences for their friendships and romantic relationships. It is obvious that using social media may have a number of detrimental consequences on teenagers’ mental health and development. Cyberbullying, live broadcasts of violent material, and a decline in in-person contact need attention. The question then becomes what can be done to the blow.
Given the widespread use of social media in modern society, it is crucial to consider whether there needs to be a set legal age for its usage. On the one hand, there are advantages to setting an age restriction for social media since it may help shield teenagers from any possible drawbacks (Vogels et al., 2022). An age restriction may protect children from unsuitable information or online bullying. Additionally, it could aid in preventing young people from participating in behaviors that can result in detrimental mental health consequences, including loneliness and despair.
However, there are disadvantages to setting an age restriction for using social media. For instance, because it is simple to establish fictitious accounts or lie about one’s age, enforcing such an age restriction could be challenging (Monroe, 2022). Additionally, even with an age restriction, teenagers can still find a method to access social media. Finally, a restriction on age may restrict teenagers’ chances to use social media for productive activities like networking and interacting with others. Overall, It is crucial to weigh the advantages and disadvantages of such a policy before making a choice. With this in mind, it is crucial to take into account the additional measures that may be taken to reduce the possible drawbacks of using social media.
It is crucial to consider whether there should be limitations on what minors may publish in light of the proliferation of social media in today’s culture. On the one hand, limitations on what minors may post have advantages. Restrictions, for instance, may aid in shielding teenagers from the potentially harmful impacts of social media, such as cyberbullying and the live broadcasting of graphic material (Vogels et al., 2022). These restrictions may aid in preventing the exposure of young individuals to offensive material, such as violence or sexually explicit language. On the other side, limiting what young people may post has disadvantages. For instance, such limits can make it harder for teenagers to use social media’s benefits, including networking and peer connections; in addition, regulations may also limit the freedom of speech of adolescents since they may be reluctant to share certain things online if they fear repercussions. Lastly, constraints may breed distrust between parents and teenagers since teenagers may believe their parents do not trust them to make mature judgments.
It is ultimately a difficult choice whether or not to limit the content that children may post. Before selecting a choice, it is crucial to weigh the advantages and disadvantages of such a policy. Therefore, In light of this, it is crucial to think about additional measures that may be implemented to reduce the possible drawbacks of social media use (Monroe, 2022). In addition, it is crucial to ensure that teenagers are informed about responsible social media use and the possible drawbacks of uploading incorrect information.
Regarding the warning system on minors’ use of social media, it is vital to ask whether parents need to have some warning system. On the one hand, a parental alert system may help make sure parents are aware of any improper information their children may be sharing. Following this, Adolescents’ mental health may be protected against potential threats, including cyberbullying, live streaming of graphic material, and a decline in face-to-face contact via an alert system. However, having a parental warning system has its negatives. For instance, if teenagers believe their parents do not trust them to make good choices, they may resent the existence of the alarm system and act out in negative ways against their parents. Since it is simple to create a false identity online, it may be challenging to enforce an alert system strictly (Gentina et al., 2021). Finally, an alert system might stifle a teen’s right to free speech if they are reluctant to write about particular subjects or viewpoints for fear of their parents being notified.
The question of whether or not to set up a notification system for parents is difficult. Before deciding, it is crucial to weigh the policy’s potential advantages and disadvantages. It is crucial to think about alternative measures that may be taken to lessen the risks associated with social media usage. Adolescents must be taught the dangers of sharing improper content online and the need to use social media responsibly.
There are two angles from which to view the debate over whether females or men have more sway regarding the influence of social media on today’s youth. One piece of research suggests that women outnumber men in terms of their participation in social media. Gentina et al. (2021) state, for instance, that “females are more likely to utilize social networking sites than men.” Also, compared to men, women are more inclined to share material on social media platforms like Instagram and YouTube (Gentina et al., 2021). Nonetheless, there is data to imply that men are more likely to utilize social media than women for a few specific purposes. Gentina et al. (2021) found, for instance, that “males are more likely to utilize social networking sites for gaming and amusement reasons than females.” Furthermore, men are more prone to participate in online harassment and abuse than women (Gentina et al., 2021).
The question of whether women or men have greater sway in social media usage is ultimately a nuanced one. Before making a choice, it is crucial to weigh the data suggesting females are more likely to participate in particular activities against the information suggesting men are more likely to engage in certain activities (Gayle, 2021). This highlights the significance of thinking through the consequences of gender variations in social media usage. Adolescents of both sexes, for instance, should be taught the dangers of irresponsible social media usage and the repercussions of uploading unsuitable material.
Following the vast negative effects, as a society, it is our responsibility to review what we can do about the issue of social media and youngsters. For this, it is crucial to ask whether schools are doing enough to aid teenagers in dealing with the adverse impacts of social media. Most schools, on their part, have offered help for adolescents suffering from the negative impacts of social media by giving access to options, including therapy and support groups. Moreover, teens experiencing problems like cyberbullying, isolation, and depression might benefit from the counseling services offered by many schools (Monroe, 2022). Lastly, the schools have / may offer Adolescents learning how to use social media responsibly and understand the possible negative implications of sharing improper information.
However, it is also obvious that more work has to be done to provide sufficient assistance to teenagers who use social media. For instance, many institutions may need to be made aware of the potential risks of social media usage since they do not have formal programs to educate students about them. Adolescents experiencing difficulties as a result of social media usage may need access to sufficient support services at many schools (Gayle, 2021). For this, the concern of whether schools are doing enough to assist students in dealing with the adverse consequences of social media is a difficult answer. Before selecting a choice, taking stock of the available and required resources is vital. This highlights the need for schools to adopt preventative measures to provide sufficient social media assistance for students in their teenage years (Monroe, 2022). For example, by offering lectures on social media in-depth, making sure there are enough resources for struggling teenagers and fostering an environment where teens feel safe talking about things like cyberbullying and depression, society can, through the education system can assist.
In conclusion, social media has significantly impacted adolescents’ cultures positively and negatively. Some of these negative effects include; Cyberbullying, live streaming of graphic content, and a decrease in face-to-face contact have become increasingly pressing. Therefore, It is essential to consider whether setting a legal age for social media use, limiting what minors can post, and establishing a warning system for parents would be beneficial in regulating or curbing the negative effects. Furthermore, it is crucial to address whether females or males have more influence over social media use and if schools are doing enough to help adolescents struggling with social media’s effects. By weighing the advantages and disadvantages of each option, society can decide upon the best course of action to minimize the potential negatives of social media usage. With the right steps, we can equip our youth with the knowledge and resources necessary to safely and responsibly use social media.
References
Gayle, D. (2021, September 14). Facebook aware of Instagram’s harmful effect on teenage girls, leak reveals. The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2021/sep/14/facebook-aware-instagram-harmful-effect-teenage-girls-leak-reveals
Gentina, E., Chen, R., & Yang, Z. (2021). Development of theory of mind on online social networks: Evidence from Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Snapchat. Journal of Business Research, 124, 652-666.
Monroe, J. (2022, July 14). The effect of social media on teenagers. Newport Academy; Newport Academy. https://www.newportacademy.com/resources/well-being/effect-of-social-media-on-teenagers/
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Vogels, E. A., Gelles-Watnick, R., & Massarat, N. (2022, August 10). Teens, social media and technology 2022. Pew Research Center. https://www.pewresearch.org/internet/2022/08/10/teens-social-media-and-technology-2022/
Wojdan, W., Wdowiak, K., Witas, A., Drogoń, J., & Brakowiecki, W. (2021). The impact of social media on the lifestyle of young people. Polish Journal of Public Health, 130(1), 8-13.
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