Theese days most of the teenagers use social media sites. They create profiles that tell a lot about them online. However, is social media really safe for them to use or can it mislead them in wrong ways?
As I previously mentioned, the profiles teenagers create tell others a lot about them so the thought of judgement and being left out makes them feel pressure to always look perfect. Firstly, this pressure might lead them to changing themselves just to fit in a group of like-minded people or standarts. They use makeup and filters, and instead of sharing their real-life experiences they post an edited version of themselves. Moreover, social media can affect teenagers in many serious ways. When teenagers spend a lot of time on social media, they may slowly forget how important real-life communication is. Instead of talking to friends face to face, they often prefer texting or calling or sometimes just scrolling through videos. This can make them feel lonely, even if they always text. Over time, this loneliness can turn into stress, anxiety, or sadness.
Another problem is that social media often shows unrealistic lifestyles. Teenagers see expensive clothes, luxury holidays, and “perfect” bodies every day. Because of this, they may think that being successful or happy means looking, living or being like those people. When they cannot reach these goals, they may feel disappointed with themselves. This can lower their confidence and make them feel like they are not good enough.
Social media can also influence teenagers to follow dangerous trends. Some challenges or viral videos might lead to risky behavior just to get likes or attention. Teenagers may copy these actions without thinking about the consequences, which can sometimes cause serious harm. In addition, false information spreads very fast online, and young people may believe everything they see without checking if it is true.
To help solve these problems, parents and teachers should help them understand that social media is not like real life. Setting time limits, talking about feelings, and encouraging hobbies like sports, reading, or spending time with friends can help teenagers use social media in a healthier and better way. If used carefully, social media can be helpful, but without control, it can easily become harmful.