Advantages and disadvantages of using Social Networking's
What are twitter’s Good and Bad Impacts On Kids
Social media present risks and benefits to children but
parents who try to secretly monitor their kids' activities online are wasting
their time, according to a presentation at the 119th Annual Convention of the
American Psychological Association.
"While nobody can deny that Twitter has altered the
landscape of social interaction, particularly among young people, we are just
now starting to see solid psychological research demonstrating both the
positives and the negatives," said Larry D. Rosen, PhD, professor of
psychology at California State University, Dominguez Hills.
In a plenary talk entitled, "Poke Me: How Social
Networks Can Both Help and Harm Our Kids," Rosen discussed potential
adverse effects, including:
1. Teens who use Twitter more often show more
narcissistic tendencies while young adults who have a strong Twitter presence
show more signs of other psychological disorders, including antisocial
behaviors, mania and aggressive tendencies.
2. Daily overuse of media and technology has a negative
effect on the health of all children, preteens and teenagers by making them
more prone to anxiety, depression, and other psychological disorders, as well
as by making them more susceptible to future health problems.
3. Twitter can be distracting and can negatively impact
learning. Studies found that middle school, high school and college students
who checked Twitter at least once during a 15-minute study period achieved
lower grades.
Rosen said new research has also found positive
influences linked to social networking, including:
1. Young adults who spend more time on Twitter are better
at showing "virtual empathy" to their online friends.
2. Online social networking can help introverted
adolescents learn how to socialize behind the safety of various screens,
ranging from a two-inch smartphone to a 17-inch laptop.
3. Social networking can provide tools for teaching in
compelling ways that engage young students.
For parents, Rosen offered guidance. "If you feel
that you have to use some sort of computer program to surreptitiously monitor
your child's social networking, you are wasting your time. Your child will find
a workaround in a matter of minutes," he said. "You have to start
talking about appropriate technology use early and often and build trust, so
that when there is a problem, whether it is being bullied or seeing a
disturbing image, your child will talk to you about it."
He encouraged parents to assess their child's activities
on social networking sites, and discuss removing inappropriate content or
connections to people who appear problematic. Parents also need to pay
attention to the online trends and the latest technologies, websites and
applications children are using, he said.
"Communication is the crux of parenting. You need to
talk to your kids, or rather, listen to them," Rosen said. "The ratio
of parent listen to parent talk should be at least five-to-one. Talk one minute
and listen for five."
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