The Cons of the Social Network and Children

In December 2011, Facebook had an average of 483 million daily active users (Facebook, 2012). Social networking sites all vary, yet the one feature they have in common is that they permit users to create a personal profile on the website and allows them to interact through instant messaging and e-mail. As the technology of the Internet advances, social networking sites have a greater impact on human relationships, both positive and negative. Social networking sites such as Facebook, Twitter, and My Space have negative effects on children. They increase the ease and rise of cyber bullying, and health problems. Social networks also multiply the numbers of identity theft and bring other issues such as personal insecurities. Social networking sites have increase identity theft, the safety of the children as well as cyber bullying, and health issues.

Psychological disorders in children are often caused by the overused of social networking (American Psychological Association, 2011). Children who spend too much time online can rule out important activities such as homework, physical activities, and even deprive themselves of sleep. Rosen (2011) says “studies found that middle school; high school and college students who checked Facebook at least once during a 15 minute study period achieved lower grades”. In social networks such has Facebook; people can choose who to be friends with and who is not. It is a very competitive environment, and it can reflect on their self-esteem which can lead to anxiety or depression. Children do not always have a sense of time management therefore, they spend more time chatting a way with friends than exercising and doing homework. Social networking has an impact on social skills of the children. The older generation learned how to communicate and interact with each other before social networks were even invented. The younger generation does not interact socially except in school and work. Children no longer want to play with one another but rather use social network sites. It has been proven that computer monitors causes a person to force their eyes which leads to poor eyesight. The less movement the more prone children are to muscle weakness. Children who spend hours on social network sites are prone to weight gain and health issues. Daily overuse of social media has negative effects on the health of children.

Cyber bullying is a big issue in social networking. Instead of engaging in physical activity with each other, children send or post cruel images and text via the Internet. “A 2006 study found that 45% of preteens and 30% of teens are cyber bullied while at school “(Feinberg & Robey, 2009). Whether it is at home, school, or out to the movies, children can experience cyber bullying threw their cellphones, or computer. Cyber bullied children loose interest of going to school or any other functions. They have a low self-esteem and become scared of the world. Social network sites allow ganging-up against a person. Messages travel fast online which exacerbates the damage. A child who is devastated by this type of bullying could very well end his life. Suicide is commonly caused by cyber bullying in children. Being a cyber-victim has been shown to cause poor grades, emotional spirals, poor self-esteem, depression, and in some cases suicide. Victims of cyber bullying are less likely to tell an adult. According to a 2008 study 72% of school aged children have been bullied while online (Juvonen & Gross, 2008).

Social networking has a negative impact on children’s safety. Children are communicating more and more with friends on social network sites. Facebook a popular social networking site allows people to communicate through chat or personal messages. They can also create a profile of themselves which creates safety issues. Anyone can request someone has their friend, but it is the responsibility of that person to accept or deny it. Friends are supposed to be people who the person can trust, support, and has similar values. In social network sites, which has the most friends is what is important to everyone. It is a competitive environment. A child can easily be influence by predators on social networks. For example, a predator could tell the child to give him his name and address so he can send him a special gift, but the predator’s intention isn’t exactly that. There are many hackers who can surpass the system and make an appearance under someone else’s name. “Adult males including convicted sex offenders often invite young teenage girls to become their online friends, and these online friendships can turn into physical meetings resulting in rape or murder with the parents unaware of what was going on” (“New Study Shows That Many Parents are Unaware of How to Protect Their Kids on Social Networks,” 2011). By creating a profile on these social network sites, children are able to share personal information with friends and family such has their birthdate, full name, age, school name, pictures, and the state they live in. Social network are uncensored. Some of the photos and language used by some people is inappropriate for children, but it is viewable by the public. Because children of any age can use social networking sites, everything available to adults is also available to children. Some things should simply not be seen by children.

As social networking sites become more popular through different technology, the increase of negative social effects within children also rises. Children are easily attracted to social networking sites which cause them to fail in school and easily gain weight because of the lack of exercising. We have seen instances of cyber bullying, and more cases of identity theft; as the years go by, we will see further similar instances. The social media is obviously here to stay and technology will only get faster and more complex. We as parents need to teach our children the power to relate to one another in a loving, caring, compassionate ways, by building real connections with people face to face. We can also teach them how they can protect themselves from identity theft and how to safely use these sites. Social networking sites have a negative impact on people’s mental and social health and will continue to do so.

References:

American Psychological Association (2011, August 6) Social Networking’s good and bad impacts on kids. Science Daily.
Retrieved from URL: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/08/110806203538.htm

Facebook. (2012). Retrieved from http://newsroom.fb.com/content/default.aspx?NewsAreaId=22

Feinberg, T., & Robey, N. (2009, march). Cyberbullying. Education Digest, 74(7), P.26-31.
Retrieved from https://ehis.ebscohost.com/eds/detail?vid=2&hid=6&sid=5c9d3aeb-9ffb-4a7f-8d3c-0a1cdc613b0d%40sessionmgr12&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWRzLWxpdmU%3d#db=f5h&AN=37332829

Juvonen, J., & Gross, E. (2008). Extending the school grounds? Bullying experiences in cyberspace. The Journal of School Health, 78(9), p. 496-505. Retrieved October 16, 2008 from Sage Publications database

New Study Shows That Many Parents are Unaware of How to Protect Their Kids on Social Networks. (2011, may). PR Newswire US,, (), . Retrieved from http://ehis.ebscohost.com/eds/detail?sid=d00aec8a-6112-4d78-aac1-cd2ef326d984%40sessionmgr115&vid=6&hid=120&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWRzLWxpdmU%3d#db=bwh&AN=201105031846PR.NEWS.USPR.NY94944

References: American Psychological Association (2011, August 6) Social Networking’s good and bad impacts on kids. Science Daily. Retrieved from URL: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/08/110806203538.htm Facebook. (2012). Retrieved from http://newsroom.fb.com/content/default.aspx?NewsAreaId=22 Feinberg, T., & Robey, N. (2009, march). Cyberbullying. Education Digest, 74(7), P.26-31. Retrieved from https://ehis.ebscohost.com/eds/detail?vid=2&hid=6&sid=5c9d3aeb-9ffb-4a7f-8d3c-0a1cdc613b0d%40sessionmgr12&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWRzLWxpdmU%3d#db=f5h&AN=37332829 Juvonen, J., & Gross, E. (2008). Extending the school grounds? Bullying experiences in cyberspace. The Journal of School Health, 78(9), p. 496-505. Retrieved October 16, 2008 from Sage Publications database New Study Shows That Many Parents are Unaware of How to Protect Their Kids on Social Networks. (2011, may). PR Newswire US,, (), . Retrieved from http://ehis.ebscohost.com/eds/detail?sid=d00aec8a-6112-4d78-aac1-cd2ef326d984%40sessionmgr115&vid=6&hid=120&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWRzLWxpdmU%3d#db=bwh&AN=201105031846PR.NEWS.USPR.NY94944