iGeneration
Pre teens and
Social Media
Negative impact of Social Media:
Children's brains are failing to develop properly after being exposed to the cyber world and social media at an early age. More than half of 12-17 year olds are spending 30 hours a week using video games, computers, e-readers, mobile phones, and other screen-based technology. (Paton 1) Because of their limited capacity for self-regulation and susceptibility to peer pressure, children and adolescents are at some risk as they navigate and experiment with social media. The cyber world does not provide a healthy environment for pre teens. Recent research indicates that there are frequent online expressions of offline behaviors, such as bullying, clique forming, and sexual experimentation, that have introduced problems such as cyberbullying, privacy issues, and "sexting." (O'Keefe 800)
Social media allows students to post freely about their ideas and opinions. Students of all ages are posting personal information, conversation threads, blogs, inappropriate pictures with can sometimes include illegal activity like alcohol and narcotics use. (Kite 2) In some areas of the country, gangs are utilizing social networking sites to recruit members, post messages in code, and conduct other gang-related activity. There is no doubt that these online "teen hangouts" are having a huge influence on how adolescents today and creatively thinking and behaving. (Kite 2) Professor Baroness Greenfield of pharmacology at Oxford University states, "My fear is that having an identity which is externally constructed and dependent on the moment-by-moment reactions of others will make people less robust and constantly at the mercy of the outside world." (Paton 2) Social media is also causing distractions in the classroom. The challenge for school educators is to keep pace with how students are using these tools in positive ways and consider how thy might incorporate this technology into the school setting. (Kite 2)
Sexting
According to Graeme Paton's article in the Telegraph, " A generation of children risks growing up with obsessive personalities, poor self control, short attention spans and little empathy because of an addiction to social networking websites such as Twitter, a leading neuroscientist warned."
Sexting can be defined as "sending, receiving, or forwarding sexually explicit messages, photographs, or images via cell phone, computer, or other digital devices. A recent survey revealed that 20% of teens have participated in sexting. (O'keefe 803) There are an array of consequences with sexting. Children may be charged with a felony, suspended, or experience emotional and social distress.
Communication
Cyberbullying
Communication is a huge tool in life. The way children learn to communicate properly often reflects their guardians efforts. Social media has changed the way we communicate immensely. We are no longer having every conversation face-to-face. It is important children learn how to communicate online and in person because both are used everyday. Baroness greenfield, professor of pharmacology at Oxford University stated, "A decline in physical human contact meant children struggled to formulate basic social skills and emotional reactions." (Paton 1) People are good at what they rehearse. If children haven't learned to look someone in the eye, use appropriate body language, and speak properly, they will not be good at it. It is very important for parents to stress proper communicating skills so their children can have mature conversations. We are in a new digital era and it is important to communicate online, but face to face conversation will always have more value.
Online Predators
Addiction
Children of the iGeneration can become addicted to social media if they are often without guidance. It is beginning to show in the classroom environment. Elementary school teachers are beginning to see attention spans shorter than ever before. Many teachers warn that over exposure to technology is damaging children's ability to concentrate in the classroom.
Addiction can lead to an "identity crisis". When young users experience an identity crisis, they do anything they can to receive constant attention from their followers. This often leads to self esteem and social isolation issues. pre teens are in a fragile stage of development, and this kind of crisis can greatly effect them in the long run.
Teenagers are young and vulnerable, and that makes pre teens even less knowledgeable about safety. Children are beginning to add strangers on networks. According to Goldstein's article assessing the Impact of Social Media on Adolescent Behavioral Health in California, "Online sexual predation occurs when an adult makes contact with a minor with intent to engage in sexual activities that would result in statutory rape. (Goldstein 3) The sexual solicitation rate for teens is estimated between 13-19%. (Goldstein 3)
Cyberbullyng and social network sites are initiating numerous problems for school administrators on a national level. A cyber bully is anyone who repeatedly misuses technology to harass, intimidate, bully, or terrorize another person. (Kite 1) According to the article Assessing Middle School Students' Knowledge of Conduct and Consequences of Their Behaviors Regarding the Use of Social Networking Sites, "Instances of cyberbullying remove all the social cues that are learned through face-to-face interactions. Conversly, with cyberbullying, the bully and victim are left with caustic words being exchanged without any interactions." (Frank, 2005) (Kite 2) The NASSP (2006) publication News Leader indicated that 33% of all teens aged 12-17 have been bullied online. Bullying can lead to depression and suicidal thoughts. Acceptance and contact with peers is such an important element in this stage of life. This is why parents need to take an active role in their children's behaviors.
Stalkers
People can easily locate your location in multiple ways. Jack Vale's social media experiment on the homepage shows us just that. One way to avoid stalkers is to turn off the "My Location button." If a child has this button on, it can be a serious safety issue. According to a survey I conducted, many users have the button turned on.
