In the contemporary era, the majority of adolescents are pleased about the ease, time-efficiency and handiness offered by the new technologies, especially Internet. Almost every child and youngster who has accessibility to Internet uses social media and social networking sites. According to a research, “93% of teens ages 12-17 go online” (Lenhart et. al 2010). Although Internet has many advantages, it cannot be denied that “there is also a dark side to the internet and that social media has undoubtedly been used by some as a platform for cybercrime and cyber bullying, which is a particular risk for teenagers” (O’ Keefe and Clarke-Pearson 2011).
It is not an untold secret that both children and teens are overusing Internet and spend hours on social networking sites via computers and/or cell phones. This practice has changed the communication patterns completely as young people are more interested in keeping in touch with their virtual friends as compared to family members. It is a bitter reality that real-life communication has been killed by virtual relationships. It is extremely significant for the youngsters to keep a balance in their lives as “using social media becomes a risk to adolescents more often than most adults realize.
Most risks fall into the following categories: peer-to-peer; inappropriate content; lack of understanding of online privacy issues; and outside influences of third-party advertising groups” (O’Keefe and Clarke-Pearson 2011) and these are the reasons Internet must be used in certain ways and at certain times.
Young people need to realize that excessive usage of Internet and social networking sites may give rise to a number of academic, health, social, and behavioral issues. It must be realized that Internet and social media are not life but a part of life.
References
Lenhart, A., Purcell, K., Smith, A. and Zickuhr, K. (2010) ‘Social Media and Mobile Internet Use Among Teens and Young Adults’, Washington, D.C.: Pew Internet & American Life Project.
O’Keefe, G.S., Clarke-Pearson, K., Council on Communications and Media (2011) ‘The Impact of Social Media on Children, Adolescents, and Families’, Pedriatics [online], 127 (800), available: http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/127/4/800.full.html [accessed 27th April 2014].
