Research is shedding light on the good things
that can happen when kids connect, share and learn online. As a parent, you can
help nurture the positive aspects simply by accepting how important social
media is for kids and helping them find ways for it to add real value to their
lives. For inspiration, here are some of the benefits of your kid being social
media-savvy:
1. It
strengthens friendships. According to Common Sense's study Social Media,
Social Life: How Teens View Their Digital Lives, 52 percent of all teens who
use social media say it's helped their friendships, whereas only 4 percent say
it has mainly hurt their friendships; and 29 percent of social network users
believe that social networking makes them feel more outgoing (compared to 5
percent who say it makes them feel less so).
2. It
offers a sense of belonging. A study conducted by Griffith University and
the University of Queensland in Australia found that although American teens
have fewer friends than their historical counterparts, they are less lonely
than teens in past decades. They report feeling less isolated and have actually
become more socially adept as well, partly due to an increase in technology
use.
3. It
provides genuine support. Online acceptance -- whether a kid is interested in
an unusual subject that isn't considered "cool" or is grappling with
sexual identity -- can validate a marginalized kid. Suicidal teens can even get
immediate access to quality support online. One example occurred on a Mine
craft forum on Reedit when an entire online community used voice-conferencing
software to talk a teen out of his decision to commit suicide.
4. It
helps them express themselves. Both producers and performers can satisfy a
need for creative self-expression through social media. Digital technology
allows kids to share their work with a wider audience and even collaborate with
far-flung partners (an essential 21st-century skill). If they're really
serious, social media can provide essential feedback for kids to hone their
craft.
5. It
lets them do well. Twitter, Facebook and other large social networks expose
kids to important issues and people from all over the world. Kids realize they
have a voice they didn't have before and are doing everything from crowd
funding for people in need to anonymously Tweeting positive thoughts.
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Do we really have to be noticed all the time?
Does every second have to be a beauty contest? Our kids need to stop feeling
that they have to outperform their peers every minute of every day. They need
to know that they don't have to market themselves constantly, and that social
media can be a mechanism for fostering collaborative relationships -- not a
medium for fueling competition, aggression and irresponsible behavior that
contributes to anxiety and depression.
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