Social Media is a huge part of life for everyone, from kids to adults, Social media is a way to share, communicate, and explore global information. Social media can mess with kids’ and teens’ self-esteem. With all the flawless pictures and highlight reels it’s super easy for them to start comparing themselves to others and feeling like they don’t measure up. This constant comparison can lead to the feeling of anxiety, plus there’s a darker side of social media like the risk of sex trafficking, Predators can use these platforms to explore vulnerable young people making it a dangerous space for them. Parents and Guardians must talk to kids about these risks and help them navigate social media safely.
Influencers often appear to lead lavish lifestyles with glamorous photos and exciting experiences to share online however, the reality behind the scenes can be quite different many influencers face the constant fear of being stalked by creeps, making them scared to go outside and enjoy their life freely. Additionally, dealing with a barrage of hate comments can take a significant toll on their Mental Health, the pressure to maintain a perfect image combine with the negativity they receive can make their seemingly perfect lives much more challenging than they appear.
Social media can also affect people mentally, teenagers compare themselves to others daily making them insecure and can also lead to depression. Not many teenagers realize what goes on behind the scenes when an influencer posts a picture. They often use photoshop and filters to make themselves look perfect, which isn’t how they look in real life. This creates unrealistic standards and can make other teens feel bad about their appearance. It’s important to remember that what you see online isn’t always real, and everyone has unique features that make them special.
Sex trafficking is another big thing on social media. Not only is it easy for people to stalk you, but it can also be very easy for them to find information about where you live and what school you go to. Not many people realize how important it is to not share much information about yourself online. Some influencers use a false name or a nickname to make it harder for somebody to find out information about themselves, making social media a safer app for them. On social media, people will go out of their way to message you privately hoping to find more information about you.
With many negative effects social media can have, there are many ways to make it safer to use, including using a false name, not posting pictures of your face, and not sharing private information online for many to see. As social media growth increases, it can affect the crowd negatively. Although social media can be a very fun app from trends to memes it can also be a perilous place that not many teenagers understand.
