Sunday, May 3, 2009
Social Networks: THE SILENT THIEVES!!!
I’m not a parent yet and I’ve barely survived adolescence but I’m just as concerned as many parents of the alarming increase in the use of social networks by teens. Don’t get me wrong, I have multiple social network accounts that I use to connect with friends and family around the world, but I feel like teens are allowing their lives to revolve around these sites and this may have some negative consequences.
Making decisions and taking responsibility for your actions are very difficult tasks for young teens and this is usually the developmental period of life in which they are learning how to deal with these issues. When I was a teen, which happens to be a few years ago, it was so hard for me to keep my life organized and I would always make awful decisions that my parents would have to bail me out of. The problem with using social networks is that most parents are not equipped to face the evil disadvantages of these technologies and are unaware of the harm it poses. Since sites like Facebook and MySpace forces you to make decisions like, how much of your private life should be displayed to the world, who should be allowed into your personal life and what to do with the content available to you, teens face these decisions alone. YES: Statistics show that a majority of teens are responsible and can survive in the social networking arena unharmed: BUT there is no way to measure the many ways in which these sites are stealing from the lives of today’s teens. Think about that Mr. Statistic Analysis Man!
Along with the responsibility that comes with the using these social networks we also have to look at other obligations such as time management, face-to-face interaction with family, friends and the world and engaging in extra-curricular activities. Those teens that use social networking safely would still spend hours conversing and checking their profiles. This time can be used meeting new people, exploring new talents and facing and learning from the challenges of life. Activities like these develop a teen’s individuality and are vital tool that are used in adulthood. Parents may not see the harm in letting your teen sit at the family PC all day using social networking but any adults would see my point when they think about how the experiences we have as teens has changed our lives and made us who we are today. Think of the liability this would be on the lives of the new generation of adults. Teens need to know that they are missing out on life.
Every hour we spend chatting on Facebook and checking out our friends’ updated profile is another hour stolen from our lives. As a young adult I don’t have half the free time I did when I was a teen to sit at a PC or checking my cell 24-7, but my heart goes out you Facebook and MySpace addicts that do not realize that they are putting themselves at a disadvantage. Everything should be done in moderation and used properly the social network monster is not as cruel it can be when abused. If this blog offends you, chances are that you’re a victim of the silent thieves. So…U BETTA RECOGNIZE!
Making decisions and taking responsibility for your actions are very difficult tasks for young teens and this is usually the developmental period of life in which they are learning how to deal with these issues. When I was a teen, which happens to be a few years ago, it was so hard for me to keep my life organized and I would always make awful decisions that my parents would have to bail me out of. The problem with using social networks is that most parents are not equipped to face the evil disadvantages of these technologies and are unaware of the harm it poses. Since sites like Facebook and MySpace forces you to make decisions like, how much of your private life should be displayed to the world, who should be allowed into your personal life and what to do with the content available to you, teens face these decisions alone. YES: Statistics show that a majority of teens are responsible and can survive in the social networking arena unharmed: BUT there is no way to measure the many ways in which these sites are stealing from the lives of today’s teens. Think about that Mr. Statistic Analysis Man!
Along with the responsibility that comes with the using these social networks we also have to look at other obligations such as time management, face-to-face interaction with family, friends and the world and engaging in extra-curricular activities. Those teens that use social networking safely would still spend hours conversing and checking their profiles. This time can be used meeting new people, exploring new talents and facing and learning from the challenges of life. Activities like these develop a teen’s individuality and are vital tool that are used in adulthood. Parents may not see the harm in letting your teen sit at the family PC all day using social networking but any adults would see my point when they think about how the experiences we have as teens has changed our lives and made us who we are today. Think of the liability this would be on the lives of the new generation of adults. Teens need to know that they are missing out on life.
Every hour we spend chatting on Facebook and checking out our friends’ updated profile is another hour stolen from our lives. As a young adult I don’t have half the free time I did when I was a teen to sit at a PC or checking my cell 24-7, but my heart goes out you Facebook and MySpace addicts that do not realize that they are putting themselves at a disadvantage. Everything should be done in moderation and used properly the social network monster is not as cruel it can be when abused. If this blog offends you, chances are that you’re a victim of the silent thieves. So…U BETTA RECOGNIZE!
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