The 10 Benefits And Dangers Of Social Networks In Adolescents
Social networks have completely changed our lives and the way we relate to our environment. Nowadays, more and more children are beginning to use these types of tools at younger ages, a phenomenon that results in some benefits and also certain risks that should not be overlooked.
In today’s article we will briefly present The main advantages and disadvantages of using social networks in adolescents a series of general phenomena that may or may not occur in specific cases, since each person experiences the use of social networks differently.
What are the main benefits of social networks for young people?
Not everything is reason to worry; There are several benefits that the use of social networks in adolescents can have, below we highlight some of the most important ones that contribute to their correct development.
1. Socialization tool
Social networks currently function as a powerful socialization tool, especially for younger people, as long as they are not minors who have not yet reached puberty.
By using them, the child obtains very important social support from the peer group, whether they are friends, who provide recognition and reinforcement that undoubtedly contributes to positively shaping their future personality as an adult. There are many cases of teenagers misunderstood at home or at school who, thanks to the Internet, manage to connect with people with their interests and concerns. Of course, in these cases it is important that these relationships can translate into friendships in real life.
Likewise, the use of social networks at an early age can also serve to make new friends and meet other people your age outside your usual circle of neighbors or classmates.
This access to new circles of friends also allows you to filter your new friends in a more sophisticated way and find people who best fit your personal interests or hobbies without experiencing strong geographical limitations.
3. They are a learning tool
As long as certain filters are used and as parents we accompany them in the process, social networks also offer a huge amount of very interesting resources that can be used by the child to learn content on their own from educational videos or forums on a specific topic, to profiles of disseminators.
This self-taught training is also very useful for many children and contributes, again, to giving their personality through various interests, hobbies or aspirations they may have.
What are the most notable risks of using social networks in children?
These are some of the precautions to keep in mind.
1. Possibility of cyberbullying
Cyberbullying is currently one of the main dangers to which children and young adolescents who regularly use social networks are exposed, and it constitutes a true social problem in our country.
Unlike classic bullying, cyberbullying can be more subtle and difficult to detect due to the anonymity that the Internet often offers, but the psychological damage to the victim is equal or greater.
2. Exposure to pedophilia
Exposure to grooming by pedophiles is another of the most important social problems associated with the use of social networks by children or adolescents.
grooming It is a practice according to which the offender gains the trust of the victim to later ask for photographs or videos of sexual content, as well as blackmail and even involve them in sexual activities in the most serious cases.
To avoid these types of situations, it is important to educate children from a young age so that they do not agree to enter into this type of harassment or dealing with people who are not capable of properly identifying themselves and to keep these types of dangers in mind when they are on the Internet. .
3. Content that is not recommended
Although some content may be good for many children, on social networks they are also exposed to images or videos that can significantly disturb, traumatize or impact a child or young adolescent
Some of this content may be, in addition to pornography, videos of explicit violence, accidents, etc.
4. Gambling addiction
Gambling addiction is another of the most common mental health problems associated with the use of social networks and its appearance is increasingly occurring in young children and adolescents.
Besides that, Online casino ads are displayed on many social networks as well as other games based on chance, a problem that is poorly regulated on the Internet and that daily affects the lives of thousands of people in our country.
5. Dangerous challenges
In recent years, a series of viral challenges that consist of carrying out activities that are often dangerous or that can endanger the life of the person who performs them.
Since many children do not yet have sufficient psychological maturity to see the danger of these Internet challenges, they may end up putting them into practice to gain the approval of their peers or as a method of distraction or entertainment.
6. Fear of Missing Out (FOMO)
The Fear of Missing Out refers to the perception that many children have of being missing out on the fun of their peers when the former are not connected to the Internet or social networks
This psychological phenomenon can significantly affect a person’s mental health, generating states of anxiety, stress, low self-esteem and other important emotional alterations.
7. Lack of judgment when publishing content
The lack of judgment and maturity that children present makes it possible for them to sometimes publish personal content. of which later they end up regretting
These contents may be certain information, photos or videos that in the future may be used by other people to harass them or expose them to cyberbullying.
Are you looking for psychological support for young people and families?
In UPAD Psychology and Coaching We offer our services in psychotherapy and counseling for families both in person and online.
