Social media has become an integral part of the everyday life of each individual regardless of age, gender or social position. The term refers to the interaction between groups or individuals that create, distribute, and frequently exchange ideas, photographs, videos, and many other types of content online and in virtual communities. Mobile devices and interactive social networks like Twitter, YouTube, Facebook, and TikTok are present in children’s environments as they grow up. The way young people interact with their parents and friends is changing due to social networks. Additionally, it can cause serious health issues, presenting a threat to young people.
Physical Health Risks
Social networks have a significant effect on young people. Children regularly monitor Tweets and posts from their friends and family on their laptops, tablets, and smartphones. People are under pressure to adopt new lifestyles due to technological innovation. Social networking websites can help young individuals develop their social skills. However, they can also lead to problems with one’s physical and mental health. In preschool- and school-aged children, the use of digital media has been connected to problems with sleep, aggression, physical inactivity, and lack of focus (Mustafaoğlu et al., 15). Children spend their time inefficiently due to their excessive use of computer media. Additionally, adolescents who use social media excessively or sleep with smartphones in their bedrooms are more likely to have sleep problems.
Moreover, social media use has been rising rapidly at home and school, and it has been suggested that this contributes to an increase in musculoskeletal conditions. Musculoskeletal disorders are linked to physical characteristics such as sex, age, body mass, and involvement in sedentary activities. In order to reduce the danger of potential musculoskeletal diseases, playing with toys rather than viewing screens should be encouraged. Additionally, parents should be given conscientious user guides for technological equipment and internet usage policies for children.
Mental Health and Development Issues
Numerous studies have established correlations between young people’s online behavior, including how many hours they spend on social media platforms, how they engage and interact with others, and their mental health. Approaches of experiences of online harassment, as a victim and perpetrator, have significant potential to affect young people’s mental health because the accessibility of spreading damaging information about relationships and reputations has been extensively studied. According to Kelly et al. (64), recent research indicates that children who experience online harassment are more likely to have a poor sleep, a negative body image, and low self-esteem. Girls and boys with negative body images through social media perception of standards are also reported to have low self-esteem, which can lead to depressive disorders. Thus, high engagement with social media can affect the way children’s minds develop and the formation of world perception.
Social media use and depressed mood have been related, as well as excessive daily social media use and anxiety symptoms. The methods, sample sizes, and findings of the numerous studies used to find these correlations vary greatly, and the relationship’s direction is still unclear (Kelly 63). The leading cause is difficulty establishing common measures for various age groups.
Positive Aspects and Potential Solutions
Regardless of the potential risks presented by the high usage of social media and digital devices, they still present a number of opportunities for the healthy development of a young individual, which must be acknowledged. Most children develop their understanding of the world through their surroundings which is highly influenced by education, family environment and friends (Akram). Hence, through exposure to various media, young people can become aware of society and the current world situation. Such an approach to social media can help to develop personal viewpoints and ideas that can help to stay connected with the current trends in the community. Additionally, online social interactions enhance the child’s communication skills, improving confidence, online literacy and social support to navigate the virtual world in the future.
Nevertheless, the beneficial features work only through the mediation and control of parents. As a potential solution, young people may be encouraged to reflect on their usage of social media as well as other elements of their lives, including their online experiences, in educational and family contexts. For instance, all family members could examine their usage patterns at home and establish time restrictions for using the internet, curfews for consumption, and the nighttime removal of mobile devices from bedrooms. Children and adolescents have opportunities in school settings to learn how to use the internet safely and appropriately, as well as to participate in programs that aim to develop self-esteem.
Therefore, social media present a complex issue in children’s life. It creates opportunities to develop social skills and enhance them as a part of the personality development of personal worldview and individual image. However, the risks are connected with physical and mental health, presenting a severe threat to the growing individual. Hence, to support the appropriate consumption of social media, parents and educators must present specific guides and methods to control children’s usage of devices.
Works Cited
Akram, Waseem. A Study on Positive and Negative Effects of Social Media on Society. International Journal of Computer Sciences and Engineering. Vol. 5. No. 10. 2018. Web.
Kelly, Yvonne, Zilanawala, Afshin, Booker, Cara & Amanda Sacker. Social Media Use and Adolescent Mental Health: Findings from the UK Millennium Cohort Study. EClinicalMedicine vol. 6, 2019. pp. 59–68.
Mustafaoğlu, Rüste., Zirek, Emrah., Yasacı, Zeynal., & Razak Özdinçler. The negative effects of digital technology usage on children’s development and health. Addicta: The Turkish Journal on Addictions, vol. 5 no. 2. 2018, pp. 13-21. Web.