SOCIAL MEDIA'S PULL

 

Living in a world that is driven by technology, youths who have access to social media often spend most of their time on it. For many youths, social media has become their place to socialize. Websites such as; YouTube, Facebook, Instagram. etc., are seen as personal spaces, where children are able to log in into their own account, post, upload, download, comment, like or dislike, message their friends and others from various parts of the world.

 

“More than half of American teenagers log onto their favorite social media site at least once a day, whereas 22% do so at least 10 times a day; 75% of teenagers now own cell phones, with 54% of them using them for texting, 24% for instant messaging, and 25% for social media access. According to the authors of the new report, increase in social media has been so rapid and their presence in children's everyday life is now so pervasive that, for some teens, social media is the primary way they interact socially, and a large part of this generation's social and emotional development is occurring while on the Internet and on cell phones.” (McBride, 2011)

 

As parents, guardians, educators, etc., it is vital that we recognize social media’s prominence so that we can understand and work with today’s youths. The Internet contains copious amounts of information. It also is a place where everyone and anyone can associate. Thus, it is important that we know as much as we can to; encourage Internet safety, maximize the benefits of social media, and prevent its negative impacts on children.