Contemporary generation is fortunate to be the recipient of technological advancements, including access to a wealth of information and applications in the Internet. A review of the profile of internet users would reveal that “fully 95% of all teens ages 12-17 are now online” . Likewise, the internet is reportedly being used by 81% of teenagers to access social media; where 77% were noted to prefer using Facebook . Due to the prolific use of social networking sites, scholars and social scientists have evaluated their diverse impact on teenagers, who are the predominant users. The current discourse hereby aims to present the positive effects, followed by the negative impacts of using social networking sites.
Social networking have been revealed to be advantageous to teenagers as a social interaction tool, an opportunity to enhance knowledge, and being more aware on global concerns. Social media assists teenagers to be currently apprised on the activities of family members, friends, peers, and acquaintances. As a socialization tool, teenagers learn to be interactive and responsive to the needs, comments and concerns of those identified within their social circle. In the process, they develop communication skills, interpersonal relationship skills, emotional intelligence, and social responsibility skills. More importantly, the social medium has been noted to be utilized for encouraging students to learn through an innovative approach . While navigating online and accessing social networking sites, teenagers could discuss homework and exchange crucial academic information that would facilitate completion of assigned tasks. Facebook, for instance, could be used to send relevant files, where students could review the work of classmates or peers, and contribute to the discussion post, as required. Finally, another positive aspect of social networking is that teenagers become more cognizant and aware of global matters . With more people talking about common interests, popular global events, current local and international news, and pressing issues that require volunteerism and social action, teenagers are encouraged to be ethically and morally responsible to react, as required.
On the other hand, social networking has been pegged as disadvantageous to teenagers due to the detrimental impact in terms of preponderance to addiction, increasing tendencies for exploitation, and significant behavioral changes. There are parents who observed that their teenaged children who spend considerable lengths of time in front of the computer and accessing social networks tend to forget the time needed to do other tasks and responsibilities. As emphasized, “the addictive nature of social media leads to eating disorders, obesity, heart problems, sleep disorders, and other pertinent health issues. Additionally, constant exposure to the internet because of social networking addiction prevents a child or teen from engaging in physical activities and socialization” . In addition, the tendencies for teenagers to be exploited have been reported in various news articles where adolescents were invited in blind dates, lured into sexual exploitation or prostitution, or even subjected to cyberbullying . Finally, behavioral changes of teenagers which were reported to have ensued from perennial access and use of social networking sites include social isolation, obesity, narcissistic, and even aggressive. The manifestation of aggressiveness could have been spurred by increased confidence in asserting oneself, in development of skills in playing video games, as well as decreased timidity since users could use fictitious names or identities.
One’s personal opinion on the pros and cons of the effects of social networking to teenagers is that parents, educators, and school authorities should communicate these impacts to enable them to realize the good and bad side of the endeavor. Just like any other activity, excessiveness is always detrimental for the individual in the long run. As such, since time management skills are being taught and developed, both at home and in school, teenagers should appreciate that the use of social networking sites should have limits. As contended, “trying to force a child to stop using social networking sites will probably not work too well, but a parent that is lovingly and constantly involved in their child’s life will have a much better time keeping watch over their online activity. Through this active monitoring, one can at least limit the negative effects” .
In sum, it could be deduced that the positive effects of social networking outweigh the negative impacts, since the disadvantages could be addressed with proper guidance, control, and monitoring. Parents must realize that the stage of development exhibited by adolescents include manifestation of their curiosity and the need to explore. Social networking sites answer this developmental need. Concurrently, the fact that social networking sites have gained popularity to include adults in wide age ranges proves that the benefits generated from this medium applies to various facets of life. Therefore, to ensure that the detrimental effects are minimized, users should practice time management skills, in conjunction with goal setting. These skills set would enable teenagers and adults to optimize their time, efforts, and resources in social networking, as well as delving into other productive activities.
Works Cited
Barnes, A. and C. Laird. "The Effects of Social Media on Children." 12 June 2012. Communication and Social Media. http://sites.ewu.edu/cmst496-stafford/2012/06/06/the-effects-of-social-media-on-children/. 17 June 2014.
Child Refuge. "Social Networking: Advantages vs. Addictions." 2011. childrefuge.org. http://childrefuge.org/social-media/the-addictive-nature-of-social-networking-good-and-bad-sides.html. 17 June 2014.
Pew Research Center. "Teens Fact Sheet." 2014. pewinternet.org. http://www.pewinternet.org/fact-sheets/teens-fact-sheet/. 16 June 2014.
Rosen, L.D. " Social Networking’s Good and Bad Impacts on Kids." 2011. apa.org. http://www.apa.org/search.aspx?query=Social%20Networking%E2%80%99s%20Good%20and%20Bad%20Impacts%20on%20Kids. 17 June 2014.
