Effects of social networking on teens
THE purpose of social media is to keep people connected. Teenagers love browsing and using social networking sites because this helps them live up to their “cool” image and stay connected with friends.
In teen years, there is nothing more boring than failing to keep up with the latest.
Today, the role of social media extends to not just one or two networking sites.
These are the days of multiple social networks and ensuring you have a profile on most of them.
Positive impacts of social networking
It allows teens to broaden their horizons and explore opportunities available beyond their physical or geographical circles. So, they have friends across the globe and actually take the initiative to send grandma an email or e-card on their birthday.
They even remember to make it to family events, thanks to the social calendar reminder.
Another benefit is that being on the social network keeps them in the loop of current affairs.
Yes, they may not be sitting down with newspapers daily but they definitely know how to open that news app. With social networking,
From introverts to extroverts
Personality traits change significantly as more and more teens learn to open up on social networks, and express their ideas and thoughts. They may start off as shy introverts but will end up being more self-confident individuals.
However, in the case of social networking, the cons could be more than the pros, if timely interference or restrictions are not implemented, be it X, Facebook, et cetera.
Teens are defying the minimum age group criteria for creating online accounts and be connected. But the problem is that touching base with hundreds, if not thousands of people, on these networking sites takes a toll on one’s mental and physical health.
They start being pressured to live up to these fast-paced technologies. Imagine the pressure of answering your peer texts, Tweets or comments instantly.
Here is what happens:
Psychological impacts — loss of focus: Teens keep losing their focus not only from studies and their sports curriculum but also from reality. It means they are constantly fighting to stay ahead in terms of who posts the first comment or gives the first like. In this process, they are entering a virtual world, which psychologists think ends up impeding their sense of morality.
Obscenity: One also witnesses an acute change of behaviour. An otherwise shy boy in everyday life becomes a philanderer on the social network, who is not remotely scared of flirting with girls to the extent of making lewd comments or posting obnoxious links or images. Why? To live up to the reputation of being a cool teen!
Lack of responsibility
Teens start losing their sense of responsibility once they are on social media. What happens here is that they are so focused on a gadget that they are unable to see things around them.
Accidents can occur while they are jaywalking, checking the phone for social updates.
This can also happen when they are not an active part of social events, though they are physically present, when their attention is just on the phone. — Wires ◆ Next week, we will explore more effects of social networking on teens.