Social Media's Influence on Children

 In the age of technology, many children would rather have online chats than have social interactions outside of the internet. Some children create their own social media profile as young as 12 years old. While social media can be used by children to communicate with their distant friends and relatives, it can also pose a danger. Some children are victims of cyber bullying or human trafficking. Parents must be aware of how their children are interacting on social media. Social media has its benefits, but it also has its risks. Technology has affected how children are communicating with their peers. The COVID-19 pandemic has caused children to feel more isolated from the outside world. Children need social interaction to develop critical thinking skills. Isolation can lead to depression in some instances. Online communication cannot replace offline experiences that are shared with friends and family. In today’s discussion, I will talk about how technology can impact a child’s social development and mental health. 

 

Children Immersed in Social Media

There are some children who have had an online presence since they were born because of the social media profiles of their mothers. “Almost a quarter of children begin their digital lives when parents upload their prenatal sonogram scans to the internet, according to a study conducted by the internet-security firm AVG. The study also found that 92 percent of toddlers under the age of 2 already have their own unique digital identity” (Lorenz, 2019). There are some mothers who tend to overshare on social media. A mother’s daily pictures of her children on the internet can sometimes be a bit of an overkill. Sometimes children do not want their pictures to be plastered on the internet by their mother. There must be a limit on the amount of content that a mother shares of her children on social media.

At an early age, children are already accessing the internet for personal or educational use. “According to a study conducted by the U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. demonstrated that 23% of nursery school children are able to access the internet while the prevalence rate for kindergartners was 32 percent. Of those in grade 1 through grade 5, 50 percent accessed the internet regularly while 70 percent of those in grade 6 through grade 8, were regularly on the web and 80 percent of those in grades 9-12 frequently accessed the internet” (Frank, 2017). Social media mobile apps cause many preteens and teenagers to become attached to their phones because they are constantly online posting photos and videos. Preteens and teenagers must be aware of what they are posting on the internet. Sometimes a teenager can communicate with someone who they think is another teenager, but really a human trafficker. One of my friends runs an organization against human trafficking. Some human trafficking victims were found on the internet. It is important to be cautious when talking to people on the internet. Children and teenagers should not give out personal information. Privacy settings must be implemented online to help limit and block unwanted users.

Many children between the ages of six- and nine-years old like to gain new online friends. “This puts them at great risk for online scams and predators. Predators who go after this age group often build trust slowly, understanding the older child may see through them more quickly than a preschool child so they will initiate the relationship is such a way so as to be providing something for the child before making any requests” (Frank, 2017). Parents should tell their children about the dangers of online communication. Children need to understand what to do to protect themselves from online predators. Predators tend to use peer pressure to get what they want from a child. “This can take the form of getting undressed in front of the camera, stealing, trying drugs originally provided for free “buddy to buddy,” or other illicit activities. At the same time these predators normalize these activities, perhaps using a partner to convince the child that “everyone is doing it” whatever “it” may be.” (Frank, 2017). Child pornography is disgusting and should be stopped because it is affecting the mental health of child victims whose lives are negatively impacted for pleasure and profit. Internet filters and security measures are necessary to keep children safe online. Teenagers may not understand why their parents are putting up protections on the internet, but they will understand when they have children of their own.

How COVID-19 Affects Children’s Social Interactions

The pandemic has had an adverse effect on the social interactions of children. Social distancing and virtual learning have caused some children to feel isolated from their peers. Children can develop skills that are critical to their development through social interaction. “Peer interactions and relationships are how kids learn not only about cooperation, trust, loyalty and support, but also about themselves, understanding and expressing their own emotions, making well thought out decisions, coping with challenges and accepting responsibility” (Chakravarthy & Ravi, 2021). When children lose the social interaction with their peers and other adults, their social development and mental health are affected. Many teachers and parents have come up with creative ways for children to have online social interactions with their peers. “Virtual play dates and handwritten letters are all the rage now. Tools like Zoom, Padlet, etc. are great platforms to encourage collaborative learning where children can come together as a community to engage, learn and create” (Chakravarthy & Ravi, 2021). Zoom may not be the same as face-to-face instruction, but it can be a good outlet for children to be able to have the interaction they crave from their peers. Many children want to feel heard. Talking to peers even in an online environment can help children express themselves. Online communication can never replace face-to-face communication, but it can help a child have some normalcy in a world full of changing scenarios.

In conclusion, technology can be beneficial or harmful depending on how it is used. Online tools like Zoom allow children the opportunity to have social interactions with their peers in a virtual environment. However, technology can also be harmful when children are targeted by online predators. Parents have a responsibility to inform their children of the risks associated with social media. As the internet continues to grow and evolve, children are more susceptible to being victims of human trafficking or child pornography. When children are given the tools needed to protect themselves online, parents can be assured of their safety.

References:

Chakravarthy, R., & Ravi, S. (2021, January 25). How the Pandemic is Affecting Children's Social Skills. The Indian Express. Retrieved October 4, 2021, from https://indianexpress.com/article/parenting/blog/how-the-pandemic-is-affecting-childrens-social-skills-7097783/.

Frank, N. (2017, December 2). Young Children and the Internet: What Puts Them at Risk? WeHaveKids. Retrieved October 4, 2021, from https://wehavekids.com/parenting/Young-Children-and-the-Internet-What-Puts-them-at-Risk.

Lorenz, T. (2019, October 1). When Kids Realize Their Whole Life is Already Online. The Atlantic. Retrieved October 4, 2021, from https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2019/02/when-kids-realize-their-whole-life-already-online/582916/.