Are Teens Becoming Obsessed With Social Media?
Written by Craig Rogers, Posted on , in Section Teens & Tweens
As social media becomes an increasingly large part of they way teenagers interact, it is important for parents to realize the negative effects that using this new technology excessively can have. In some situations, it is even necessary for parents to intervene and stop their teens from spending too much time using social media. If you find yourself in this situation, it is important that you act quickly to ensure that your teen doesn't damage their future.
Unhealthy Impacts Of Teens Using Social Media
1 - Not actually spending time with friends - When teens are overly involved in social media, it often comes at the expense of actually spending time with friends. This can make it difficult to form lasting friendships and develop a healthy peer group. It is important for parents to intervene in these situation as it can cause developmental issues if children and teens aren't able to develop relationships with peers.
2 - Online bullying - Social media is one of the primary platforms for online bullying in today's world. There have been numerous cases in which teens have been bullied to the point of committing suicide through websites like Facebook and Twitter. While these are extreme cases, thousands of teens experience daily harassment through this new and relatively unregulated medium.
3 - Gossip - This is closely related to online bullying and frequently occurs when teens become obsessed with social media. Because many of their peers will be posting excessive amounts of information about the details of their lives, the platform naturally lends itself to gossip. While there isn't a great deal of harm done by some innocent gossip, it can lead to bad habits and negative attitudes about the way that individuals should interact with their peers.
4 - Distraction from schoolwork and extra curriculars - While social media can be fine in moderation, it can be a huge distraction from schoolwork and other activities when taken to far. Teens who become overly focused on Facebook, Twitter, or a similar website may see their grades drop dramatically. Because teens are often unable to understand how this will impact their future, it is important that parents step in and encourage them to focus.
