May 9th, 2022 at 07:40 am
Is social media good for my kids?
Today’s generation of kids has a lot more options to connect to others from the various social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Snapchat, or tik tok. Most often parents are skeptical about giving their younger children access to social media platforms due to online trolling and cyberbullying by unscrupulous people.
However, if the children are guided as to which sites they can visit and what not, social media can be a wonderful tool in shaping the personality of your child. Here are some advantages to consider if you are deliberating whether or not to grant your child access to the internet.
1 . It helps them form good friendships.
Making friends is an important aspect of life. Therefore, your children getting online is a good way of forming friendships beyond the physical. It is a great way for children who have social anxiety and those who find it difficult to make friends, to build familiarity with other children. Social media helps them connect with people of different cultures, thereby broadening their perspective on several issues.
2 . Social media keeps them informed
Oftentimes, news breaks out in the digital space before the traditional media and this can expose the child to some awareness of issues that matters. It helps them understand what is going on and make them true citizens of the world.
3 . Social media gives them the support they need.
One of the advantages of being on social media is that it offers you a sense of belonging and makes you feel validated. This is because there are people going through something similar to yours. Therefore you form a community where you can share ideas. Conversations about mental health, stereotyping, gender issues, and others give them the chance to accept themselves. And get them more connected to their families. This is because the families will understand what their kids are going through and for some, it is an entry point to their child’s life that is knowing their friends, their likes, and what they normally share on their walls.
4 . Feeling relaxed
Social media helps children release stress by providing an outlet where children can express their frustration, fear, disappointment et al. It is also a means by which they can get distracted from all the chaos happening around them.
5 . It helps them develop digital media literacy.
It is important for children to learn how to communicate online and prepare them for future opportunities. Experimenting on social media is a way of building knowledge and skills to enjoy online activities.
In Conclusion
Social media has become a part of everyday life. Therefore allowing your child to be on social media has its own pros and cons. It is expected that parents guide their children. Because the impact of social media depends on how the parent educates their children about the platforms.