“They can live without their parents but they can’t imagine living without their phone for a second”- the mother of a class XI boy narrated what she has to go through every day to deal with her son’s social media addiction.
The truth is in front of us. There’s no way we can deny it but to learn to handle it in the most logical way possible. Around 92% of all children between the age of 13 to 17 years are online daily. More than 30% of them have internet access on their mobile. And 24% of all teens say they are online constantly while 71% of teens use more than one social media site. With the influence of online games like PUBG and others increasing, the threat is now even higher.
Considering above said practical data, and the daily interactive pattern of generation Y, we are here to know the handling strategies. It is important to note that knowledge and awareness are necessary not to apply them to others, it’s essential to apply them for our own benefit too.
Signs of social media addiction
- Forgets about time assessment when online.
- Compromises with working hours and sleep for being online for longer hours.
- Becomes irritated and throws tantrums if and when being interrupted.
- Very active on social media.
- Prefers to spend time alone with their phone rather than socialize.
- The crosses time limit that has been set for internet usage.
- Loses interest in activities that were enjoyable before he/she had online access.
Social media affects the development of a child
Just like drugs or alcohol, the internet offers children and adolescents a way to escape painful feelings or troubling situations. Social media addiction has serious effects on the mental and emotional health of addicts, leaving them lonely, anxious, and depressed.
Children who lack rewarding or nurturing relationships or who suffer from poor social and coping skills are at greater risk of developing social media addiction. They feel alone, and alienated and have problems with making new friends, they turn to invisible strangers in online chat rooms looking for the attention, companionship, and recognition, that they miss in their real lives. They may come from families with significant problems and they cope with those problems by spending time online. During this formative period of all-around development, social media plays the role of a dominant factor in acquiring emotional, social, moral, intellectual as well as physical developmental skills. We cannot deny the development of sexual concepts is greatly shaped by internet and social media exposure.
Moreover, the internet is hurting their ability to work in groups, talk freely, writing skills, time management, identification, and manage emotions, understand others’ emotions, evaluate and assess relationships, value judgment, direct activity, and physical fitness.
Get hold of your child’s behavior and help him engage in outdoor activities before it’s too late.
We, at TriBeCa Care, care about you, and your family. Our Elder Care is categorically structured to provide the elderly with the support that they deserve. If you have any further queries then feel free to reach us. Call us at + 913366064208 or request a callback. Email us at enquiry@tribecacare.com
