Impact of Social Media on teenagers

Social media has transformed communication and made it simpler for people to engage with one another on a global scale. Recent years have seen a sharp increase in social media usage, particularly among youth. 72% of teenagers use social media, and 90% of them do so every day, according to a Pew Research Center survey. Teenagers have been affected by social media in both positive and harmful ways. We’ll talk about how social media affects teenagers in this essay.

The Positive Use of social media by Teen’s 

Teenagers now have a number of advantages thanks to social media. They now have a place to interact with their classmates, express themselves, and pursue their interests. The following are just a few advantages of social media for teenagers:

Socialization has increased as a result of social media sites like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Snapchat making it simpler for teenagers to interact with their peers. They have the option to talk, share images and videos, and join groups with others who have comparable interests. They have been able to establish connections and improve their social skills thanks to this.

knowledge sharing : Teenagers now have greater access to knowledge on a variety of topics thanks to social media platforms. They have access to the most recent news and updates by following pages or users that share stuff pertinent to their interests. 

Teenagers now have a discussion board (forum) to showcase their thoughts thanks to social media. They can produce content material for their audience, such as blogs, videos, and images. They have been capable to improve their skills and grow as innovative folks as a result of these discussion board (forum).

Opportunities for education: Social media sites like YouTube have given teens access to instructional content. They can watch films on a variety of subjects, such as science, history, and arithmetic, and pick up new information.

The Negative Effects of Social Media on Teen’s

While social media has many advantages on teenagers, there are some drawbacks as well. Teenagers that use social media may have certain negative effects, such as:

Bullying that takes place online is known as “cyberbullying.” Teenagers may experience mental anguish, anxiety, and sadness as a result. Bullies now have an easier time harassing their victims in secret thanks to social media.

Addiction: Teenagers may spend hours scrolling through their social media feeds due to social media’s potential for addiction. They may become less productive as a result, which could harm their academic progress.
Social media platforms are flooded with pictures of idealized body types, which might cause youngsters to have body image problems. They could form unrealistic expectations about how their bodies should look, which could result in eating disorders and other health issues.
Teens who use social media before night may have problems falling asleep, depriving themselves of sleep. The quality of their sleep may be impacted by the blue light that screens emit, which can disrupt the body’s normal sleep-wake cycle.

Online predators: Social media sites serve as a hunting ground for these individuals. Teenagers are vulnerable to being drawn into risky talks with strangers.

Conclusion 

Teenagers now have more social options, access to information, and educational opportunities thanks to social media. Cyberbullying, addiction, problems with body image, lack of sleep, and online predators are just a few of the bad consequences. It is crucial for parents and other adults to keep an eye on their children’s social media usage and teach them good online behavior. Teenagers should be able to express themselves and share their interests without worrying about being judged or harassed if we can create a safe place for them to do so. Teenagers can take use of social media’s positive aspects while limiting its bad ones with the right direction and encouragement.

Article by Michelle Ikaan  

HS English Language Teacher

Canadian Bridge Academy Abuja