By: Asma Shums, Mortgage Broker
Social media can be both good and bad but its effects on teenagers are still not well known. Humans are social animals and one can argue that social media helps us connect and grow stronger on a large scale. However, interactions on this magnitude can increase anxiety and negatively affect self-esteem amongst teenagers. Another reason parents should be vigilant is the constantly evolving nature of social media. New social media applications are being introduced that highlight sharing more pictures, commenting, and sometimes accelerate the negative symptoms of social media through anonymity.
As social media takes over our cell phones and means of communication, it slowly takes over our time which would be spent on reflection or daily activities. Increasing amount of time is spent on Apps such as Instagram which can lead to negative body image feedback. Most children see the highlights and glamour posted by peers and influences which breeds negativity within them. Facebook often makes teenagers feel inadequate when they see positive milestones being achieved by fellow students. The time and effects of social media seep into our teenager’s minds when they go to bed, wait for the bus, study, and simply every moment of their life. Likes and comments on their pages are a virtual way for teenagers to assess where they stand in society.
Upsides of Social Media are also strongly benefiting children and adults worldwide. There is the increased access and ease of communicating and reaching for help when they do require it. Teens who struggle with keeping communicating face to face can use social media to still connect to the world.
There is information on everything and no one is alone.
Help your Teens use Social Media
•Show them the unimportance of “likes”- encourage spending time away from their phone and focus on enjoying the moment instead of looking at moments as opportunities to click a picture on Instagram.
•Highlight cyber bullying overheard conversations about your children cyber bullying can help curb a major negative of social media.
•Teach them the downsides of comparison- teenagers only post the best and it doesn’t always reflect reality. Teach them not to compare their backstory to someone else’s highlight by practicing gratitude and positive personal growth.
•Fake vs Real friends- friends are easily available because of social media but they don’t always tend to be real. Teach them to be aware of who is following them and what benefit their feed might add to yours.
•More face time- it’s even easier to “face time” in this day and age but encourage your children to actually conduct more face time by hanging out with their friends and chase adventures instead of virtually seeking it through their social media applications.
Contrary to popular belief, there is a happy medium with using social media and our children. Be aware and supportive and avoid lecturing and judgement to help your teenagers use social media to their advantage.
Info::asmashums@gmail.com
