Problems With Social Networking and Teens

By: Sharon Hurley Hall There are many potential problems with social networking sites and the teenagers that use them. Social networking online involves using Web sites to share information with others and connect with them by creating a profile that may include a personal Web page and a blog. Social networking sites allow users to add friends, send messages and comment on others' profile pages. It is also one of the most popular Internet activities among teenagers. Recent research from the Pew Internet Project suggests that 93% of Americans from ages 12 to 17 use the Internet, and 55% of those teens use social networks. While most of this online interaction is just for fun, there are dangers that parents and teens Popular Social Networking Sites According to the Pew Internet Project, MySpace is the most dominant social network among teens, used by 85% of teenagers who use social networks. MySpace allows users almost unlimited flexibility to create and customize their profile pages, and to share their own content or that of others, including music, videos and writing. Many MySpace users register with aliases. The next most popular social networking site among teenagers is Facebook, which is used by 7% of teens who use social networks. Facebook, once a closed system limited to school and college communities, has recently become more open. Facebook puts a greater emphasis on actually knowing the people that you connect with. Other social networks used by teenagers include Xanga, Yahoo and Bebo. How Teens Use Social Networking Sites Most teens create at least a basic profile, with their name, age, status, photo and interests, but many go much further. Many teens make regular visits to update their profiles and to visit others' profiles. Communicating with others is a key aspect of using social networks. Teens may post public messages or may use bulletins or private messages to communicate with those on their friends list. Most teens use sites such as MySpace and Facebook to stay in touch with their current friends. However, PEW reports that about 50% of teenagers also use the sites to make new friends. Teenagers use the sites to make social plans with their friends, and sometimes to flirt. Positives and Negatives Apart from the social benefits, social networking sites can be used to document school research, promote artistic talents and experiment with other forms of content creation. They provide a way to interact with others who share the same interests and to get constructive feedback on ongoing projects.

Along with these benefits come some risks. Most social networking sites are open to all, especially MySpace, which means that your teen could be exposed to harassment, bullying or sexual advances. Cyber-bullying and harassment are most often perpetrated by other teens and tend to happen most to older girls and to teens of either gender who have a strong online presence. It may take several forms:

publicizing private instant messages, text messages or e-mails posting threatening messages posting photos that will cause embarrassment spreading rumors

It's rare for harassment to spill over into real-world conflicts, but it can still be a cause of emotional distress for teens. A greater danger is that teens may become targets of pedophiles. The anonymity of some social networking sites makes it easy for unscrupulous people to target young teens and engage them in harmful conversations. It's easy for predators to pose as teens and lure children into harmful real-world contact as well. Most social networking sites have privacy controls in place, but teens seldom use them. Active monitoring of profiles and behaviors catches some predators, but not all of them. Another risk is identity theft, which can occur when teens share too much information about their name, date of birth and location. Social Networking Safety It's up to parents to make sure their kids are safe when they use social networking. Many of the same rules that apply to online chat apply to these sites:

Use an alias. Don't give out personal information to people you don't know. A last name and a town are enough for a predator to locate your child. Don't assume that people are who they claim to be. Immediately end any communication that makes you uncomfortable and report it to a parent.

For younger teens, you should investigate any sites they'd like to use. Find out what privacy protections are in place and insist that your teen uses them. For children under 16, that often means a private profile that can only be seen by approved friends. Older teens may want a public profile to promote a band or other creative work. In this case, have your child create a second, public profile for the project while still restricting the personal profile to family and close friends. It's best to set up these profiles with a free e-mail from Yahoo or Google using an alias that can't be traced back to find personal information.

Encourage your kids to tell you if they're victims of cyber bullying or harassment. Many teens will try to deal with this on their own, which can have disastrous consequences. If your child knows who's behind the harassment, involve the other child's parents or school officials. If it's anonymous, remind your child that it's not personal; some people just think it's fun to say mean things about others. http://www.life123.com/parenting/tweens-teens/social-networking/issues-with-teensand-social-networking.shtml

Facebook, Twitter harmful in every way!

BY: RAKESH NARANG

Social Networking is Ironical in its name because it doesnt bring people closer but creates big gaps in relationships with people who really matter the most in our life Parents and Family. Spending lumps of time sitting in front of computer screen is not going to get you friends but living with them sharing happiness and spreading the joy does that. Facebook, Twitter etc. are good but not better! The rift sometimes expands and cant be solved with any efforts. There are many side-effects of staying stuck to social networking websites like Facebook, Twitter etc. and Five most Deadly side-effects follow this paragraph. Disclaimer: Deadly here just means bad and not the dictionary meaning. Wizard Journal doesnt promote any fear against Social Networks. Facebook can cause trouble because

1) It can degrade school Performance

A research conducted in United States over several children proved that students who use Facebook, Twitter and other social networking websites excessively had a low attention span and thus score low grades. Facebook should be used constructively but not like elixir without which you cant survive. Additction to anything is bad, Facebook is addictive.

2) It can get you fired

Take me lightly, play some FarmVille or Texas Hold em Poker in the office and you will see the result. A pink slip despite of a promotion. I know how badly you miss your relatives i know but during work Facebook should be avoided. Recently, a research revealed that an more than 72% employees in every company spent 1-1.5 hours on Facebook, Twitter and other Social Networks during work.

3) It is bad manner to not show up

Just saying Happy Birthday or Happy Marriage Anniversary is not enough, being present with family and friends during rough conditions matters more than anything else. You might disagree but Facebook is depriving you of society and social bonding. It may seem fun but is addictive and thus ought to be used in limit.

4) It is unhealthy to stay up all night long

Facebook is not the right place to seek new friends that could be there for you when you need them, yes it develops connection but not the one which we need, therefore communication with real people who live in your locality, study at coaching and work in following cubicles in much more important. Leaving living Gods biggest gift for internet is not at all a good idea or decision. I think we should limit access to Facebook rather than saying that stop Facebook or never ever use it.

5) Its Dangerous to show everything!

It is good if you want to share all your data, you birthday and latest pictures with strangers, but what if? you know? what you are risking?

Yeah i know that Facebook has privacy setting but when hackers can get your account password in a moment how long do you think it would take them to break security? What if by fate your name spoils on the web for something you have no idea about, it sounds crazy but you never know.

Final Conclusion:
I have no right to tell you waht to do and what not to do, i can just say as a friend that Social Networking Websites are great, Facebook is ultimate and Twitter is like your virtual world but excess of everything is bad! dont use SNS like mad men! I remember a time when i was playing more than 17 social games including Farmville and update my status even at 4 in the morning. Life is to live, there are thousands of things waiting for us in the real world. http://www.wizardjournal.com/social-networking/five-most-deadly-side-effects-offacebook.html

The Effect of Social Networking (Facebook, Twitter, MySpace etc) For Children
BY : DANIAL RAPHAEL

Children who spend much of their time online proved find it difficult to concentrate in the classroom and not notice what is taught. This is not mere assumptions, but based on the study. Not a few teachers who are disappointed to see the students using the chat language as it is commonly used in social networking chat facilities, such as 2mor, msg, lol, and bk, while in English grammar lessons (English grammar). As known, this study JCA involves 500 teachers who aim to motivate personal and social development of teachers outside the classroom or school. This study clearly indicates that students from various levels, from upper class to lower class, they spend more stout in social media, said a spokesman for JCA, which quoted from the Telegraph, Friday, November 19, 2010. Rather than looking to experience life outside the home, study tours, and interact through face to face with others, children are more obsessed with social networking. And, this unconsciously shape their attitude and personality, they explains. As a result, teachers are worrying obsession will have a significant impact on the future of student-siwanya. This is a direct indication of their value on average poor and often failed to complete their homework on time. His condition got worse when they have trouble concentrating in class, said a spokeswoman for JCA. Finally, this study concludes that children who obtained a value of sag in the school are children who spend most of their time on social networking. It was based on research results from 70 percent of teachers in England who is very confident, increasingly obsessed kids on sites like Facebook, Twitter, and MySpace. And, nearly half of the 500 teachers surveyed believed that this disorder and follow the lessons. Also, note about 60 percent of teachers say the quality of childrens homework is deteriorate because they hurry to finish. According Kairen Cullen, an educational psychologist, this is a complex subject matter. Based on my clinical practice that many involving children and young people, was on this day, at that age, access and understand social networks is something that is inevitable, she said. They enjoy social networking, but the real problem arises when the virtual interaction even disturbing childrens emotions in real life, or restrict the childs development socially and emotionally, said Cullen. Supposedly, the time invested in social media and in real life by child must be balanced. Therefore, personal interaction is considered very important for the childs development socially

and emotionally. Direct interpersonal interaction is very influential for social development of children is not distorted in the future, she said.

http://newstodaynews.com/the-effect-of-social-networking-facebook-twitter-myspace-etc-forchildren/12286