Social media and youth go hand in hand. Research suggests that 90% of teenagers have some form of social media account (Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn) and more than 75% have a profile on a social media site. Jennifer Obee, author of Social Networking: The ultimate teen guide, states that “the majority of youth use new media and social media to hang out and extend existing friendships…friendships maintained online can be very powerful”.
Linking the above to individual self-esteem and individual’s ‘need to belong’, it should be noted that social media sites have the added advantage of allowing teenagers to overcome socio-economic barriers such as distance, time, gender and race. Taking this into account, it is clear to see why it is such a popular medium to communicate with.
Social media has advantages and disadvantages and it is crucial that the role of social media in youth culture is maintained and monitored in order to avoid unnecessary security threats. A brief insight into the advantages and disadvantages of social media are listed below.
Advantages
- People are able to stay connected with family and friends regardless of distance and time
- Campaigns and charities can be done in order to do good for others. This can also be portrayed and spread across a wide area
- People can interact with like-minded individuals
- Friendships can be build and maintained through social media and shared experiences
Disadvantages
- Cyber bullying
- Bad publicity
- Online predators – strangers can contact and stalk naive and trusting individuals
- Individuals can develop a low self-esteem if they feel other friends lives are more fulfilled than theirs
The disadvantages of social media as listed above are unfortunately all too omnipresent in social media. Online predators are a huge concern for parents and that is why it is imperative for teenagers to note the risks that come with adding photos and videos from school and sharing ones location with friends.
What parents can do
Giving your child access to knowledge and to the world around them is essential; however it is also vital to pay attention to the responsibility that comes with this technology. Teenagers are on social media for hours at a time, and even though they are a technology driven society they still need guidance on how to use it effectively.
It is important to stay involved in your children’s social media activities, however do not pry too much, as this has the potential to damage the trusting relationship that you have built together.
What can parents do to help their children stay safe on social media
- Remind your child that whatever they post can be used against them. If you wouldn’t say it in person or present it to your class, do not post it.
- Use privacy settings – only allow friends to see what school you go to and what area you live in. You can also set privacy setting for photos that are posted.
- Don’t “friend” strangers
Parents and educators can even set up their own social media account. By doing this they are able to better understand the virtual environment that children are exposed to and can set a good example for children on how to effectively and safely use social media.
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