Young Children on Social Media: Boon or Bane?

Three decades ago, social media was a concept unheard of, but today happens to be the source that reminds us of everyone's birthdays, keeps us in touch with every friends life, keeps us up to date with the world of glitz and glamour and has also become the platform that connects us with brands and influencers. In today's time where social media has become a part of everyone's lives, adolescents are joining the platforms at an age younger than ever.

PROS

Social media platforms surely do serve as a way of connecting with students from all over the world and also enable young children to globalise, helping one know more about the culture and traditions of other countries. These platforms are also used to advertise renowned colleges, institutions and organisations. This information is vital to the youth. In the broader sense of the phenomenon, social media presents a platform for people to discuss and exchange ideas. It's a place, accessible more easily than any other, that can used to voice an opinion, to raise awareness, to bring to light an issue that's been overlooked- and social media provides that power to the young minds.

However, with the freedom that comes along with this world, there are also uncountable dangers involved that cannot be looked over.

CONS

Facebook and Instagram are used to share one's celebrations, achievements and highlights of life. Young children often fail to realise that everything is not what it seems and start to compare their entire lives with the exaggerated realities that people choose to share online. This builds a negative perception of one's reality and breeds self-worth issues as well as feelings of not being good enough. Social media platforms have also become a major ground for bullying. To quantify the statement- a third of five to ten year olds have been victims of cyberbullying, which tends to leave a deep impact on the young victims, further deteriorating their mental health and world-view.

These platforms are designed to make you revisit them over and over again, resulting in the young minds developing an addiction to them. Although it is termed 'social' media, these websites lead to children being less social if they begin spending time on them at a young age. Developing social skills is a necessity and with the onset of social media, it is a skill that is getting hard for the children to learn.

How to find a balance?

The most common and effective way would be to set up parental controls on your child's computer which will enable you to monitor and restrict their internet reach. But children have found loopholes to trick these softwares or simply use a different computer to surf the web without restriction.

It then comes down to a single fool-proof plan that may work the best your you. Your personal parenting style and the bond you share with your children best determines how social media impacts the lives of young ones. It is necessary for parents to be open and involved with their children's lives. Make regular conversation with them and be in the loop of their lives happenings. once you have built a relationship where they feel comfortable to confide in you, they may automatically let you into their online world where you can monitor their activity and warn them of any danger you suspect they may be getting in. A healthy parent-child relationship goes a long way.