“Children should not be in social media ”
You hear about it all the time: children, under the age of 13, on social media platforms like
Facebook, Instagram, snapchat etc.. “Children have to play outside and meet their friends” is
what we hear from the older generation. But what impact does social media have on
children?
Social media platforms have a minimum age, 13 years old for Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat
etc.. For YouTube the minimum age is even higher: 18 years old. This minimum is there for a
reason.
There are multiple reasons why social media isn’t right for young children. Their brains are
still developing and too much online time doesn’t allow them to develop real life skills. This
is why young children shouldn’t be on social media.
Human brains haven’t fully developed the cognitive structures until 12 years old. These
structures enable us to think ethical. It is extremely hard for children to consider the impact
of their action upon others or themselves.
Now let’s discuss the statement in the intro: “children have to play outside and meet their
friends”. When playing outside children develop real life skills. They have to find creative
solutions and deal with stress factors. Children who spend too much time online don’t
develop these skills. Staying online can disrupt them from taking part in other activities like
learning, sports or meeting friends.
It’s true, social media allows children to stay connected with friends from school, clubs or
from all over the world. However, because it’s so easy to connect, it’s also easy to get in
touch with people with bad intentions, including sexual predators. Sexual predators mask
their real identity to form a relationship with someone. Children aren’t able to consider the
impact of their actions, causing catastrophic results when contacted by a sexual predator.
This is why it’s better for children to avoid social media. Their brains haven’t fully developed
the cognitive structures, causing them to make impulsive decisions. Children don’t learn as
many life skills online. Staying online is causing them to stay inside, disrupting them from
taking part in other activities. Social media gives us the ability to meet people from all over
the world, including people with bad intentions. Sexual predators are able to contact young
children. To sum it up: the elders are right. Children should play outside and meet their
friends, instead of staying in and staying on(line).
Rafaëlla Waasdorp
400 woorden.
You hear about it all the time: children, under the age of 13, on social media platforms like
Facebook, Instagram, snapchat etc.. “Children have to play outside and meet their friends” is
what we hear from the older generation. But what impact does social media have on
children?
Social media platforms have a minimum age, 13 years old for Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat
etc.. For YouTube the minimum age is even higher: 18 years old. This minimum is there for a
reason.
There are multiple reasons why social media isn’t right for young children. Their brains are
still developing and too much online time doesn’t allow them to develop real life skills. This
is why young children shouldn’t be on social media.
Human brains haven’t fully developed the cognitive structures until 12 years old. These
structures enable us to think ethical. It is extremely hard for children to consider the impact
of their action upon others or themselves.
Now let’s discuss the statement in the intro: “children have to play outside and meet their
friends”. When playing outside children develop real life skills. They have to find creative
solutions and deal with stress factors. Children who spend too much time online don’t
develop these skills. Staying online can disrupt them from taking part in other activities like
learning, sports or meeting friends.
It’s true, social media allows children to stay connected with friends from school, clubs or
from all over the world. However, because it’s so easy to connect, it’s also easy to get in
touch with people with bad intentions, including sexual predators. Sexual predators mask
their real identity to form a relationship with someone. Children aren’t able to consider the
impact of their actions, causing catastrophic results when contacted by a sexual predator.
This is why it’s better for children to avoid social media. Their brains haven’t fully developed
the cognitive structures, causing them to make impulsive decisions. Children don’t learn as
many life skills online. Staying online is causing them to stay inside, disrupting them from
taking part in other activities. Social media gives us the ability to meet people from all over
the world, including people with bad intentions. Sexual predators are able to contact young
children. To sum it up: the elders are right. Children should play outside and meet their
friends, instead of staying in and staying on(line).
Rafaëlla Waasdorp
400 woorden.
