The Impact Of Social Media On Teens
Today I was reading a Time magazine article on social media and its link to depression for overindulgent teens. It is reported that teens who used their smartphones for more than three hours a day are more likely to develop depression and thoughts of suicide. The prime use of smartphones for teens was use of social media outlets like Facebook and Twitter. The average age for children to receive their first smartphone is as low as the age of ten. Teenage suicide is at an all-time high over the last forty years. Things like bullying online is just one of the many reasons that teens are driven to depression and worse.
Its not to say that there isn't any positive uses of social media for both teens and adults, but me and other leading minds can agree that social media deteriorates opportunities for effective face-to-face communication. Social media also breaks up the desire for a teen to engage in beneficial offline activities. My book series, “Hidden” features a depressive bisexual pill-popping cutting teenager who also has a eating disorder. In the series, she finds adventure that will ultimately lead to the end of all her former issues that were all caused by her lack of self-confidence and her original struggle to find genuine friends. The series was inspired by my late friend Jen Hawkins, a girl who died after a bout with mental illness, most being of depression. Don't tell me I don't know what she and other teenagers face online and offline. I am a champion for those who have no voice, and I urge all parents to monitor your children's smartphone use and set time restrictions for their use. You need to also take away smartphones from your children at night, as many teenagers will stay up late on social media.
Social media will always do more bad than good for society. Parents, if you must use social media then, please, set good examples for your child with your own use. Stop the religious and political war online. Most times, I am embarrassed to call myself an adult because so many adults behave immaturely online. Sure, I blast people all the time, but at least I don't do it in a dishonest or deceptive way. This post, in fact, is blasting social media. I use it, but dear god, I despise using it. Will social media get either of my dead friends back? No, but it was partially to blame for both of their deaths. Do you believe this isn't a real problem with teens and young adults? Let's just say there is a reason that people like me and others are researching it and speaking out about the subject.
Think before you post, and heck, get out and travel to see some of those people you spend so much time messaging. Get out and exercise. Do anything to get yourself off your hide and into the light. Too much time on social media can harm adults, too. If you have any interest in my forementioned young adult series, you can read them on www.upliterate.com and www.figment.com Just search “Hidden Away” and “Hidden Close” to read them for free today. You can even download the first one. The second one listed is still being written and it is updated with story parts daily. I want to inspire everyone to be more aware of teen depression and suicidal tendencies. Together, we can rise above it all. Ciao!
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