Pros and Cons of Social Media
Social media is used as a way of reaching people all over. Many are able to grow their businesses and keep in contact with distant relatives or friends. Unfortunately social media has also been used in negative ways. Parents need to be aware of what their kids are viewing and limit what they have access to. It is important to be familiar with current networks and apps that are popular and used more frequently. Here are some pros and cons of kids using social media.
Pros
–Social networks actually make kids more relationship-oriented, considerate, and emphatic. Kids remember people’s birthday and greet them. They comment on pictures, videos and status of their friends. They create longer term friendships by being in touch online even when friends are no longer physically meeting. People use social media to have fun, make and maintain friendships, share interests, explore identities and develop relationships with family. It’s an extension of their offline and
face-to-face interactions.
Cons
-Cyberbullying. No matter where you are or what you do, there are always people who hate. This can cause permanent damage mentally and physically. It is important to monitor how much time your kid spends on social media. You may even want to keep phones and computers in the family room to ensure they aren’t looking at inappropriate or harmful material.
Too much passive use of social media – just browsing posts – can be unhealthy and has been linked to feelings of envy, inadequacy and less satisfaction with life. Studies have even suggested that it can lead to ADHD symptoms, depression, anxiety and sleep deprivation. Our priorities can shift and we can obsess over how many likes and views we are getting instead of focusing on our grades in school.
