Whether we like it or not, social media is taking a toll on the mental health of teenagers. It can cause distractions, hinder mental development and lead to poor mental health. In addition, it can also help enhance a child’s creative skills.
Improves communication between family members
Using Facebook and other social media platforms to improve communication within a family can be a good idea. Many people use these types of sites to communicate, stay in touch with friends and relatives, and even maintain relationships. However, if you use these types of sites too much, you may find yourself missing out on real life interactions. You should know how to moderate your usage, or you may end up causing problems in your family.
A more comprehensive review of the research literature found that there is little consensus regarding the effect that social media has on family connectedness. This is largely due to the fact that there is a dearth of studies measuring the effects of social media on meaningful family interactions.
In particular, researchers found that while social media can be a good thing for family communication, it can also be a bad thing. For example, some studies have shown that using social media to improve communication may lead to misunderstandings between family members.
Enhances creative skills in children
Several studies have investigated how social media can enhance creative skills in children. These studies include both quantitative and qualitative methods. They have been conducted in both formal and informal learning environments. They have involved students from all academic levels and all ages.
The articles were initially coded on a static-dynamic dimension, with the exception of a few studies that were classified on both levels. The results demonstrated that social media can positively affect students’ creativity.
The findings suggest that social media can be used to enhance student creativity in formal classroom environments. Some examples include blogs and virtual collaboration. These types of tools allow students to express their ideas, exchange ideas, and provide concrete solutions to problems. These tools can be used for any discipline.
Leads to poor mental health
Several studies have shown a link between heavy social media use and an increased risk of depression and anxiety. Teenagers who spend more time on social media have lower levels of well-being. In addition to affecting psychological health, social media may also distract from other activities that can promote mental health.
In addition to increasing exposure to cyberbullying, social media also can limit physical activity. As a result, it can be difficult for teens to maintain a healthy sleep schedule. In addition, social media can cause missed opportunities to make friends or have a positive experience.
A University of Pennsylvania study found that reducing social media use by 30 minutes a day reduced mental health symptoms. The same study found that adolescents who used Facebook or Twitter for more than three hours a day had a higher risk of depression. The study’s authors suggested that more research is needed to determine whether social media causes mental health problems.
Immatureness and privacy
Using social media on a daily basis can be tough on tweens, especially when it comes to privacy. Tweens have underdeveloped frontal lobes, which means they don’t have the skills to deal with the distractions of social media. This makes it difficult for them to keep up with their schoolwork. They may also struggle with making friends. Moreover, they may become bullied by classmates.
Luckily, there are some steps parents and schools can take to ensure that privacy is respected. For example, the most obvious step would be to create a separate Facebook or Twitter account for personal use and a professional one. It’s also a good idea to audit the privacy settings of all student accounts and to provide different opt-out options to students. It’s also a good idea for teachers to watch FERPA 101, a video about the federal law that regulates student data privacy.
Distraction and hindrance of mind
Using social media platforms can be a great tool to help students achieve higher grades and improve their academic performance. However, these tools can also be detrimental if used in the wrong way. The main disadvantage of using social media is that it can distract students from studying and learning. This can result in lack of effort and procrastination.
There are several methods to control distractions. First, you need to identify your behavioral patterns. Then, you can start by focusing on the areas that are causing you problems. Then, you can reduce distractions by decreasing the accessibility of the technology. You can also try to customize the notifications. If you are a heavy social media user, it might be a good idea to reduce the time you spend on these applications.
