However, social media use can also
negatively affect teens
, distracting them, disrupting their sleep, and exposing them to bullying, rumor spreading, unrealistic views of other people’s lives and peer pressure. The risks might be related to how much social media teens use.
Young people spend a lot of time on social media. They’re also more susceptible to peer pressure,
low self-esteem and mental ill-health
. A number of studies have found associations between increased social media use and depression, anxiety, sleep problems, eating concerns, and suicide risk.
Young people spend a lot of time on social media. They’re also
more susceptible to peer pressure
, low self-esteem and mental ill-health. A number of studies have found associations between increased social media use and depression, anxiety, sleep problems, eating concerns, and suicide risk.
However, multiple studies have found a strong link between heavy social media and an increased risk for depression, anxiety, loneliness, self-harm, and even suicidal thoughts. Social media may promote negative experiences such as:
Inadequacy about your life or appearance
.
Social Media has
many positive effects on education
including better communication, timely information, socializing online, learning, enhancing skills, making a career among others. But the same has some negative effects which include identity theft, cyber bullying, and social isolation.
- cyberbullying (bullying using digital technology)
- invasion of privacy.
- identity theft.
- your child seeing offensive images and messages.
- the presence of strangers who may be there to ‘groom’ other members.
How can we avoid negative effects of media and information?
- 7 Ways To Stop The Negative Effects of Social Media:
- Take a Break. …
- Create an Intention or Purpose. …
- Connect with Those That Lift You Up, NOT Put You Down. …
- Change Your Perspective. …
- Keep Your Content Positive. …
- Contribute to the Cause. …
- Remember That You Are In-Charge.
Studies have shown that increased use of social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Tiktok is leading to
depression, anxiety, and loneliness
. The COVID-19 pandemic has not only pushed more people to the platforms but has also caused people to spend unusual amounts of time cruising their feeds.
First, social media provides a smoother, more direct communication tool between students, teachers and parents, who can check in and ask or respond to questions.
Social media allows for more e-learning opportunities as well
.
- Build relationships. Social media is not just about brands connecting with their customers. …
- Share your expertise. Social media gives you an opportunity to talk about what you know and what you want to be known for. …
- Increase your visibility. …
- Educate yourself. …
- Connect anytime.
- Make sure to set your account preferences to private. …
- Don’t connect with strangers on social media. …
- When browsing online, always protect your location. …
- Don’t upload high-resolution pictures to your social media profiles. …
- Make sure you’re not oversharing.
| Pros Cons | Put yourself out there in a good way Posting inappropriate statuses/pictures | Connect with students in other educational systems Making people feel bad about themselves | Make new friends/communicate or connect with old friends/family Cyberbullying |
|---|
How can we prevent media influence?
- Consciously choose which media you will consume: …
- Form your own opinion about issues you care about: …
- Chew on it: …
- Connect meaningfully with other humans: …
- Avoid “ain’t it awful” at all costs:
- Be aware of what’s public. …
- Check your privacy settings. …
- Don’t accept friend requests from strangers. …
- Be careful when you check-in or share your location. …
- Review your tags. …
- Don’t share personal information online. …
- Don’t share anything you don’t want your grandma to see.
