SOCIAL MEDIA TAKING OVER CHILDHOOD

Childhood is a phase which children must enjoy the fullest and we have to support our children in every possible way to make them enjoy the nature around us.
Childhood is a period of life that encompasses the years between infancy and adolescence. It is a time of rapid physical, cognitive and emotional development during which children acquire fundamental skills and knowledge that form the basis for their future and success.
Childhood is marked by play, exploration and curiosity, as children. It is a time when imagination run wild and creativity flourishes as children engage in imaginative play and storytelling.
But these childhood didn’t remain same as it used to be. In our times we were more lively than today’s kids who remain glued to the mobile screens. One of the most significant concerns raised by experts is the impact of smartphones on children’s mental health. In today’s digital age, smartphones have become ubiquitous and are an integral part of our lives.
Most social media apps require users to be at least 13 years old. But in a recent poll, parents shared that 50% of children 10 to 12 years old and 33% of children 7 to 9 years old use social media apps. If your child is currently on social media or if they’ve been asking to join, it’s important to talk to them about what social media is, what rules you have for it and how it doesn’t always show an accurate picture of someone’s life.

Study also reveals that children who spent more than two hours a day on social media are more likely to experience poor mental health than those who spent less time online.
Social media has become an integral part of modern society, with billions of people around the world using platform like facebook, instagram, twitter etc. to connect with others, share informations and experiences and access a wide range of resources. While social media has its fair share of benefits and advantages, it also has its drawbacks and disadvantages particularly for children.

DISADVANTAGES OF SOCIAL MEDIA FOR CHILDREN :-

Here are some disadvantages of social media for children.,

(1.) DISTRACTION AND REDUCED PRODUCTIVITY :- Social media can be a distraction and interfere with children’s ability to focus and complete their academic tasks, leading to reduced productivity. This is because social media platforms are designed to be engaging to keep users coming back for more.

(2.) ISOLATION AND LONELINESS :- while social media can help children stay connected with others and maintain relationships. It can also contribute to feelings of isolation and loneliness. This is especially true when children rely on social media as their primary source of social interaction and do not have in-person social connections.

(3.) LOSS OF PRIVACY :- Sharing personal information on social media can have serious consequences for children including identity theft, stalking or other online dangers. To minimize the risk of a loss of privacy on social media, children should be careful the potential consequences of their actions.

(4.) MISINFORMATION AND FAKE NEWS :- Social media can speed misinformation and fake news, which can be harmful and confusing for children. Both misinformation and fake news can have serious consequences, as they can influence public opinion, policy and decision making.

(5.) CYBERBULLYING AND ONLINE DANGERS :- Social media can expose children to cyberbullying, harassment and other online dangers. To minimize this risk children should be mindful of their online behavior and respect the rights and feelings of others.

(6.) ADDICTION OR EXCESSIVE USE :- Social media can lead to addiction or excessive use, which can interfere with children’s academic and personal responsibility. Excessive social media use can have negative effects on mental health as well.

There are some more disadvantages like,

• time waster for students
• lead to negative effects on mental health for students
• compromise personal safety and security for children
• increase risk of online scams and fraud
• decrease real life social skills
• negative impact on critical thinking skills
  Etc. Support for young internet users come from parents, teachers, government and social media industry. Parents can be encouraged to start an open dialogue with their children, which will built rapport and allow children to open up about their social media use.

Childhood is a phase which children must enjoy to the fullest and we have to support our children in every possible way to make them enjoy the nature around us.

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