‘SOCIAL MEDIA IS RUINING THE TEENS’
The general public agrees. Parents, experts, and even the government are concerned about teenagers’ use of social media.
They worry about:
Privacy…
Addiction…
Exposure to unhealthy content…
Social Conformity… etc
Some worries go as extreme as the statement ‘social media is ruining the teens’
BUT
Is it completely valid? Or is it half a hysterical paranoia?
If true… What can we do to save our future generation from the ‘DANGER’?
How much ARE TEENS ACTUALLY IN DANGER?
Social Media HAS SHOWN continuous growth OF THREATS to TEENAGERS and the FUTURE OF SOCIETY
Some problems being….
- Privacy
Teenagers, with their not fully developed decision-making and critical thinking ability, tend to
OVERSHARE PERSONAL INFORMATION
on social media platforms
leaving information like addresses, phone numbers and photos that lead to the risk of stalking, scams and identity theft.
NOT ONLY BUT LEAVING DIGITAL FOOTPRINT
Teenagers, without acknowledging that anything online never fully disappears, leave offensive content or private information
In the FUTURE
Losing dream jobs and college offers
and
Having private photos leaked and misused
2. Media Addiction and Dependency
Social Media is ultimately a BUSINESS that uses ADDICTION TO INFINITE SCROLL and ALGORITHMIC FEED to MAXIMIZE SCREEN TIME
To teenagers who may yet develop self-control is the
TARGET OF THIS ADDICTION HITS
For years,
since the rapid development of social media
Teens has
(a) Spent OVERTIME on cellphone and social media, LOSING chances of real-life social interactions and activities, over the life in digital reality
(b) LOST Attention Span and Focus
(c) Been disrupted in completing healthy sleeping habits
and the list goes on…
3. Exposed to Harmful and Unrealistic Content
ON many social media platforms, where millions of people share content every day, there also exists countless harmful contents that teenagers should not be exposed to
Contents from unrealistic beauty standards and body to self-harm and violent ideologies, sexual exploitations and fake news…
ALL HARM TEENAGERS who are experiencing cognitive growth, and growth as a mature human being.
leading to the development of
Mental Health Struggles
Violent thinking
Unrealistic Body Standars
Hate Speech
An inability to differentiate facts from fake contents
4. Cyberbullying
5. Peer Pressure
6,7,8,9….. THE LIST GOES ON…
.
.
.
SO THEN DO THE POLICIES MADE AS A SOLUTION TO THESE PROBLEMS
SUCCESSFULLY DEAL WITH THESE PROBLEMS?
Well, some solutions in places are:
- Cell phone restriction in BC:
BC governments are placing limited screen time and cell phone bans in areas like classrooms
2. Special Accounts for Teenagers:
Social media platforms themselves place teen-only settings or restricted accounts to protect teens’ content
3. Complete social media ban :
Where countries like China and Australia explored complete bans on social media for minors
Although these solutions partially solve THE PROBLEM
Many of the EFFECTS ARE TEMPORALLY, and for one NOT FAVORED BY the public, NOR FOLLOWED
A teen who grew up using social media is not willing to quit abruptly, an abrupt ban
AND
It blocks the teenagers who use social media as a beneficial tool in life
BUT MOST ESSENTIALLY
IT FAILS TO ADDRESS THE ROOT CAUSE OF THESE PROBLEMS
PROBLEMS IN SOCIAL MEDIA ITSELF
Although we have only discussed the effects it holds to the teenager
These effects are shown throughout all age groups who use social media
The essential problem lies in the platform itself
SO
ONLY WAY TO PROPERLY SOLVE THIS PROBLEM
is to address the cause itself
with policies like
(1)Higher punishment for fake news and inappropriate content
(2)More education for all ages on social media and digital footprint
(3)Collaboration with influencers to promote positive impact
, etc
.
.
.
BUT WHY NOT JUST REMOVE SOCIAL MEDIA ONCE AND FOR ALL?
As much as the risk exists
Social media has great benefits in the development of society
leading to :
- Connection and community:
Social media allows teens to connect with peers, form friendships, and engage in online communities that they might not have access to locally.
2. Self Expression
Platforms offer teens a way to express themselves, showcase their talents, interests, and creativity
3. Education
Social media provides access to educational resources, tutorials, and discussions that help teens with learning new skills or staying informed.
4. Support Networks
5. Social Awareness
And More
.
.
.
Social Media, although it has RISKS
IS NOT
or
WILL NOT
Place the teenagers in DANGER with the RIGHT SOLUTION
And benefits that outweigh these possible problems EXIST
Thank you for keeping up
And for more of this interesting content and debate
SUBSCRIBE AND HIT NOTIFICATION
#socialmedia #debate #hottopic
Citation:
Dr. Kondrot. “Scary Effects Of Technology On Our Eyes.” Healing the Eye, November 19, 2019. Accessed February 14, 2025. https://healingtheeye.com/scary-effects-of-technology-on-our-eyes/.
The Gazelle Team. “10 GDPR Memes That Will Make You Cry with Laughter.” Gazelle Consulting, October 8, 2019. Accessed February 14, 2025. https://gazelleconsulting.org/10-gdpr-memes-that-will-make-you-cry-with-laughter/.
“10 GDPR Memes That Will Make You Cry with Laughter.” Gazelle Consulting. Accessed February 14, 2025. https://gazelleconsulting.org/10-gdpr-memes-that-will-make-you-cry-with-laughter/.
AP News. “UK watchdog fines TikTok $15.9 million over child data breaches.” Associated Press, April 2023. https://apnews.com/article/cbb967830539d83b8bb60772a4c2ccb5
Eden Behavioral Health. “How Social Media Affects Teens.” Eden Blog, 2023. https://edenbehavioralhealth.com/blogs/eden-blog/how-social-media-affects-teens
Pew Research Center. “Teens and Cyberbullying.” Pew Research, 2022. https://www.pewresearch.org/internet/2022/11/15/teens-and-cyberbullying
The Guardian. “Molly Russell inquest: social media content contributed to death, coroner says.” The Guardian, 2022. https://www.theguardian.com
NCBI. “The Effect of Blue Light on Teen Sleep Patterns.” National Center for Biotechnology Information, 2022. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9645642
Courier Mail. “SkinnyTok exposed: Inside alarming new trend promoting unhealthy eating among teens.” Courier Mail, 2023. https://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/skinnytok-exposed-inside-alarming-new-trend-promoting-unhealthy-eating-among-teens
Orben, Amy, et al. “Social Media’s Impact on Adolescent Life Satisfaction.” Nature, 2022. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41562-022-01368-4