Being a parent to a teenager is challenging and fun at the same time, especially now with technological development.
The Internet has provided our teens with various benefits that are part of their daily activities. Social media is one of them, and it means the world to our little/grown teens.
Social media enables our tens to interact, connect, and communicate with their people virtually. But sometimes, our sweeties can take it too far and parents should consider limiting their children’s social media usage.
After all, you can surely agree that real socializing is way better than social media. So, limiting your teen’s social media usage is a great parenting step should take.
Social Media Are Very Popular Among Teenagers
Teens are addictively glued to their smartphones and social media, even in their classrooms (some classes are boring but it still isn’t an excuse).
They are active on several social media platforms at the same time. It’s almost like the more social media platforms children use, the more they are popular among friends.
Discussion About the Pros and Cons of Limiting Teenagers’ Use of Social Media
Our teens rarely use social media to engage in searching and learning opportunities. Most of the time, they use it for virtual communication, which can affect them physically and mentally.
Somehow, children put online communication above education and natural offline communication. So limits must be put.
In the following paragraphs, we’ll go over the exact pros and cons of limiting teenagers’ use of social media.
Pros of Limiting Teenagers’ Use of Social Media
Adolescence is a period of kids’ life when children are physically ready to become adults but mentally not. They get to know a new version of themselves and are confused about their wants and needs.
So, although you probably know that limiting teenagers’ social media is like taking away their ability to breathe, the limits you set can help avoid unpleasant situations that we’ll go over in the next few paragraphs.
Avoiding Isolation and Low Ambition
Constant absence and isolation are the first signs that should alarm parents to limit their teen’s social media activities. Lack of sun exposure and fresh air can also be a reason for health issues.
Moreover, staring for hours at screens, stalking others, or communicating motivates teens to lose every interest in school and future ambitions.
They don’t have the same concentration and focus on learning, so they become passive students.
Avoiding Low Hygiene
Teens are in a period when they should especially pay attention to their looks and personal hygiene.
But on the contrary, they lose interest and forget about personal hygiene when they’re stuck on their phones 24/7.
There is no need for a bright smile when they don’t see each other, and filters are always there to help.
Avoiding Socializing Problems
Low social skills happen to be a consequence of too much screen time and isolation. Children that often use social media are shy, nervous, and confused when interacting in person.
So, limiting social media from a young age can contribute to making independent children that later on won’t face difficulties when interacting with others.
Avoiding Mental Issues and Addiction
Teens’ social media overuse can develop strange and unpleasant behaviors and emotions, such as:
- Anxiety;
- Depression;
- Addiction;
The number of tech-addicted teens is nearly 50%! That is a huge number. Also, exposure to inappropriate content on the internet can be detrimental to your child’s mental health.
Cons of Limiting Teenagers’ Use of Social Media
Well, we saw the pros of limiting social media usage. But teenagers don’t always respond well to these limits.
In the following paragraphs, we’ll go over some of the negative effects of social media usage on teens.
Negative Impacts on Teen’s Social Life
With social media, our little (or big) ones express their thoughts and feelings easily. Also, social media offers teens the opportunity to connect with a large auditorium and make a personal image and brand with zero costs.
The Need to Keep Up With What’s New
Back in my day, the news was in newspapers, radio, and later on TV. But today’s children aren’t interested in boring news. They want to know what kind of crazy outfit their favorite celebrities wore to some show, or who they’re dating.
So, according to teenagers, taking away their social media is like cutting them off from the fast-developing world.
Talking to Your Teen About Balancing Social Media Use
Talking and having an open conversation are the best way to encourage teens to balance social media usage. But if you want to convince your teen to limit social media usage, then you first must put yourself as an example.
Of course, you shouldn’t stop using social media, but try to limit your use so that teens can follow your example. Also, because they think they’re big enough, talk openly about the risks of overtime social media usage.
The Proper Approach to Building Healthy Social Media Habits
Firstly, you’ll want to be absolutely honest with your teens (you don’t want them to cut you off from their lives).
Teens don’t want to be treated as babies, and they expect to hear the truth. So if you, as a parent, plan on limiting your teenager’s social media usage, make sure to tell them.
Explain all the damages that tech overuse can bring to their life but also state the benefits as well. Building healthy social media habits is a hard and slow process, but with the right approach, it can be beneficial for your teens.
Conclusion
Family bonding and strength are crucial to developing trust and affection between members. Our teens will accept our advice if we’ve built strong relationships from an early age. When limiting social media, don’t be too harsh and authoritative.
Instead, encourage face-to-face communication and prepare your teens for future expectations. After all, teens need to grow into responsible adults with professions and families.
FAQs
What age group is most negatively affected by social media?
Studies show that girls between the ages of 11 and 13, and boys between the ages of 14-15 are most negatively affected by social media.
What percent of teens use social media?
Studies by Pew Research show that 35% of teens are regular users of at least one social media platform.
How social media affects teens?
Social media can affect teens both positively and negatively. The benefits of social media include keeping up with new trends, socializing with friends, relaxing, etc.
But social media can be negative for teens because it often causes addiction that may lead to other problems with social skills, and mental and physical health.
