The digital revolution of the 21st century gave us such technological miracles as the computer, the Internet, smart phones and, of course, social media.
But now we’re reaping the rewards of those advancements.
People are no longer just learning about technology, we’ve embraced it and are expressing ourselves through our online identities.
However, this can come with a cost.
Some tech experts have even said that we’ve moved past the Information Age into what they call the Experience Age, where our relationships, careers and entertainment are almost exclusively experienced through some form of virtual platform.
Millennial parents, having grown up in the Information Age are now raising Gen Z and Gen Alpha kids in this new Experience Age where children are born into a world of social media like Instagram and TikTok.
It almost seems inevitable that they will eventually be embroiled in this online universe where not everything is as it seems.
Here are the dangers that you need to know about before letting your kids anywhere near social media.
Exposure to Negative Online Material
Possibly one of the more obvious threats to your children when it comes to social media is exposure to obscene and perverse material.
The Internet is full of mature, graphic, and violent content that are not suitable for children. Oftentimes disseminated involuntarily to their unwitting audience through pop-up ads.
Pornographic images, gory video games and gambling sites are just some of the more popular ones.
These often appear when you click on questionable website and links. Which children are prone to doing, especially if left unsupervised.
Even seemingly innocent content targeted to children pose a significant level of harm.
Pay-per-play games, subscription fees and leaked credit card information, for instance, can quickly become a problem. Especially if your children are smart enough to get away with it.
It’s one thing when your kids become hooked on social media apps, it’s another thing when become addicted to online games or porn.
Children are much too young and inexperienced to deal with those kind of things responsibly.
So, it’s best to monitor their social media when you can, which may be impossible at times if you’re a working parent.
There are parental controls that you can put in place to filter out all the bad things, of course.
But the social media algorithm is a savage beast. You can’t always control or predict what it’s going to show your child.
Online Predators and Criminals
There has been an alarming rise in cybercrime against children, and this does unfortunately include sexual predators.
These criminals often engage in unethical activities involving minors such as sexual grooming, human trafficking, identity theft, blackmail, scamming and many others.
All of which occur online, most primarily through social media platforms.
Children, being as innocent as they are, are much easier victims than the more cautious and sensible adult.
It can be a hard pill to swallow knowing there are actual people out in the world who are actively preying on clueless young children.
But that is the reality of the world we live in.
The best we can do is protect our little ones.
And one of the things you can do as a parent is to keep tabs on who they communicate with online and what they post on their timelines and bio.
Sensitive information such as their age, school, home, and even favourite movies can be used as tools of manipulation and control.
Remind your child to never accept friend invites from strangers, even those who claim to be in their age group. Not without irrefutable proof.
You never know the kind of cruel, horrible people who are hiding behind those attractive profile photos.
Internet Addiction
Perhaps what’s more dangerous than any of the aforementioned perils is that social media can interfere with your child’s psychological and physical health.
Yes, those innocent apps on your child’s smartphone may be causing serious and even irreversible harm to their wellbeing without you even knowing.
One of these being what can only be described as Internet addiction.
One could say that almost everyone is a little Internet addicted today.
We scroll on our phones all day and refresh our timelines any chance we get.
Adults may have more self-control to deal with these impulses.
But it may be harder for children due to their still-developing brains.
They may find themselves irresistibly drawn to check for notifications or updates every few minutes.
You may be wondering what causes this behaviours.
Well, it actually has a lot to do with how the brain naturally works.
How its internal reward centers process external stimuli, how it governs processes like serotonin production and mood regulation.
Being continuously exposed to entertaining content over and over again desensitises you overtime to the ‘happy hormones’ that your body produces.
This leads to having less satisfaction in your daily life.
Physical and Cognitive Problems
Working off the previous point, when you’re addicted to social media, you’re also more likely to be obsessed with using your smart phone all the time.
Surveys have reported a slew of unpleasant side effects as a result of spending too much time on your phone.
You can probably already guess what they are.
Weight gain, eye strain, headaches, and insomnia are just some ways that Internet addiction manifests itself.
But too much social media can also cause psychological problems like depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, loneliness, and even body dysmorphia.
Symptoms that many adults experience as a result of too much social media.
Since children are still not fully developed, experiencing these conditions may disrupt how their brains and bodies function as adults.
They may also perpetuate unhealthy lifestyle habits that can be hard to un-learn down the line.
Disconnecting and Reconnecting
Social media has its uses, even for children.
They let kids learn new things and understand how to use technology.
Social media lets children connect with faraway friends and family, and commemorate special occasions.
And most of all, they may open many opportunities for self-discovery and self-expression.
Your child’s social media profile can be thought of in this case as an online diary. A carefully-preserved time capsule of all their greatest moments.
But on the flipside, social media also represents all the inherent dangers that come with using the Internet. Dangers that not even adults are fully protected from.
The best thing you can do is to delay their exposure to it as much as you can.
Or at least until you’re sure they’re old enough to handle the onslaught of information and temptation that awaits them.
But most of all, remind that life is to be lived in the real world, not behind a screen or at the touch of a button.
So, always give them reasons to spend time with their loved ones because as fun as social media is, it can never truly replace human connection.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as medical advice from Motherhood. For any health-related concerns, it is advisable to consult with a qualified healthcare professional or medical practitioner.
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