Side effects of adolescents’ use of social networks
Apart from social networks, messaging apps have become an integral part of our lives to the point that some people have just bought smartphones because of the need to use apps like Telegram in their work.
Despite all the advantages of these sites and applications, their negative effects on life and health can not be ignored. Universities, research institutes, and government institutions regularly conduct various studies and researches on the various damages that lead to misuse and unconventional use of new technologies. With the advent of smartphones, digital life and the use of the Internet entered a new phase.
At present, 65% of the time spent in the digital world is spent on smartphones and tablets, and personal computers have become a secondary tool with 35%. It remains to be seen what fate awaits us with the advent of the next generation of gadgets and smartphones, the fifth generation of mobile internet and the pervasiveness of the Internet of Things and our growing connection to these devices.
Negative effects of social networks on children and adolescents
The destructive effects of social networks on children and adolescents in adolescence
The impact of social media on adolescents and adolescents, known as Generation Z, is particularly important because they are a vulnerable group on the one hand and one of the most numerous users of social media on the other hand. According to a survey, 75% of teens in the United States have social media accounts, of which 68% use Facebook as their main social network. Although the use of social networks undoubtedly plays an essential role in the development of social communication and learning communication skills, its dangers can not be ignored.
Lack of self-regulation and susceptibility to stress make adolescents vulnerable to problems such as Facebook depression, pornography, and cyberbullying. These problems are real threats.
Other problems, such as obesity caused by virtual networks, Internet addiction, and lack of sleep, are being carefully studied.
Other problems, such as obesity caused by virtual networks, Internet addiction, and lack of sleep, are being carefully studied.
Three common problems with using social media
The American Psychological Association defines bullying as aggressive behavior by one person that upsets another. Virtual bullying ranges from direct threats and unsolicited emails to anonymous activities such as cyberbullying. Thirty-two percent of teens who use the Internet admit to experiencing a variety of forms of cyberbullying. While unsolicited messages or emails are the simplest forms of virtual bullying, they are probably less common than other types.
Only 13% of teens have received threatening or aggressive messages. Even sending other people’s personal notes to a group without the sender’s permission is a form of virtual coercion.
A study by the Pew Research Center found that 15 percent of teens became anxious about sending or posting personal messages in public groups and forums. Also, nearly 39 percent of teens who use social media have been subjected to some form of virtual bullying, compared to 22 percent for those who use the Internet but are not active on social media.
Cyberbullying involves deliberately committing acts such as spreading hatred, racism, religious bigotry, misogyny and arguing or creating discord among individuals on the Internet. These actions, which are often performed anonymously, are very common on social networks. The rate of doing this among Americans is about 28 percent.
Serious effects of social networks on the body and soul of children and adolescents
One of the most important causes of cyberbullying is the possibility of anonymity on the Internet. According to information published by Stopbullying.gov, cyberbullying is more likely between two groups of people; Famous people and people driven by society. The first group does such things to stay famous or to feel powerful.
The second group does this to join a new group or community or return to a community they have been excluded from. The US National Crime Prevention Council has conducted various studies to find that three-quarters of victims of cyberbullying eventually discover the identity of the bully and, as a result, remain anonymous, as some think, in the face of the consequences. Their actions do not protect.
Virtual bullies are often friends or acquaintances of the victim. Of course, if they can really be called friends. Only 23% of bullying victims reported being harassed by someone they did not know.
Virtual bullying seems simple to those who do it because they do not see their victims and their reactions, and as a result, the unfortunate consequences that these acts have on the victims have little effect on them.
In the real world, the devastating effects of these actions on victims vary from lifestyle changes to suicide or the need for psychological care. People’s activities on social networks are ironical of an individualistic and individualistic nature. Because of this, it is difficult to identify victims of cyberbullying.
However, criminals or victims often talk to others about what happened in the virtual or real-world and how they can be identified. Symptoms such as not using gadgets (computer, mobile phone, tablet) or being anxious and confused when using them and sudden changes in behavior patterns can also help identify them.
Posting obscene pictures and images of yourself or sending messages containing vulgar words or concepts to individuals or groups is another common activity among teens on social media. Surveys conducted by the National Campaign to Adolescent Support across the United States found that, shockingly, 20 percent of teens engage in the spread of immoral content. While male adolescents are more likely to send messages containing obscene or provocative words and concepts, female adolescents are more likely to send inappropriate pictures of themselves – usually to their friends.
However, the persistence and breadth of the Internet have made it a good place to spread such information, as fast and as rapidly as viral diseases spread.
Social networks and gadgets shut down after sunset
17% of pornographers share messages and photos they receive with others, and 55% send them to more than one person. Because pornography causes psychological damage and feelings of inferiority, it is a crime in some countries and states in the United States.
Facebook depression is defined as the distress and emotional turmoil caused by teens and children spending too much time on social media. This is a very real problem right now.
Recent studies have shown that comparison is a major cause of Facebook depression. Both Facebook-based comparisons (comparing yourself to people worse than yourself) and upward comparisons (comparing yourself to people better than yourself) are very common among Facebook users. Of course, in this case, there are reports with contradictory results.
Another study found that Facebook makes us happier and increases social trust and member engagement. Given that the human brain is built to communicate, it makes sense to expect social media to create a sense of self-resilience from psychological satisfaction by enabling sharing.
Digital sunset and blackout of social networks
Researchers say that just as the sun sets a few hours before we go to bed, we must turn off our gadgets a few hours before we go to sleep to improve the quality of our sleep. Research shows that sleep disorders and increased risk of depression and anxiety are more likely to occur among teens who use social media overnight.
A study by researchers at the University of Glasgow in Scotland asked 460 middle school students about their habits of using social media, especially night-time sites such as Facebook and Twitter. Studies have shown that in general, the use of social networks affects the quality of sleep.
Adolescents who take to social media at night to check out notifications and respond to what has happened are particularly affected. However, it is not yet known whether using social media causes sleep disorders or whether teens use social media because they cannot sleep for a variety of reasons.
What does social media do to children?
The study found that even 11-year-olds use Facebook and Twitter significantly. Some students go online in the early hours of the morning and use several gadgets such as cell phones and tablets to browse different social networks at the same time. Puberty can be a period to begin to increase vulnerability to depression and anxiety, and poor sleep quality can play an important role in this.
It is important to understand how the use of social media is related to this issue. Evidence supports the link between social media use and health, especially during adolescence, but the cause remains unclear.
The study also asked students between the ages of 11 and 17 to answer a questionnaire to measure their sleep quality, self-esteem, anxiety, and depression. In addition, about the level of emotion when using social networks, the pressure they feel from being available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and the anxiety caused by not responding immediately to new posts on social networks. Was asked.
Preliminary analysis of the data of this study shows that the use of social networks, especially at night, is associated with poor sleep quality, lower self-esteem, and more anxiety and depression. Using emotions on social media has a similar effect.
Preliminary analysis of the data of this study shows that the use of social networks, especially at night, is associated with poor sleep quality, lower self-esteem, and more anxiety and depression. Using emotions on social media has a similar effect.
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