My Social Media Life

Many adults may find it difficult to understand why teenagers use social media so much. It’s like they're always online, and always distracted from happenings around them. So, those perplexed adults are probably asking, “What is Social Media”?

(Culled and edited from www.parents.au.reachout.com)

What is social media?

Social media refers to any digital platform, system, website or app that enables people to create and share content, and connect with each other. Here are a few of the most popular sites that teenagers use, and how they work:

Facebook

A free site where registered users (aged 13 and up) can share pictures, links, videos, and other content with their 'friends'. Friends are other registered users you have connected with within the network. Most of the time, anything you share will only be seen by the people you have 'friended'. Facebook changes it's privacy settings regularly so it's important to stay up-to-date with their settings and policies.

Instagram

A free image sharing service that is used mainly on mobile devices. On Instagram, it's common to connect with people you don't know but share common interests with (for example, Taylor Swift). You can have a public account or a private account where only friends can see your posts. Instagram also has their own privacy settings to stay up-to-date with.

Snapchat

A mobile phone messaging application that allows you to send video or picture messages to one or more people at a time. The messages are only viewable for a few seconds at a time, as determined by the sender. However, there are ways of saving the images using other phone functions.

Tumblr

A blogging website where people can publish their own articles and share it with people who follow their blog or profile. They also view the content of people they follow. On Tumblr, it is more common to connect with people you don't know in real life than people you do.

WhatsApp and messaging services

WhatsApp and messaging applications let you contact friends using internet data (or wifi) instead of your mobile carrier, which reduces the cost of messaging. It can be used without a sim card if connected to a wifi network. It is popular because it allows you to send messages to a group of friends at one time.

Other games and sites

YouTube, Club Penguin, or online games like World of Warcraft are also considered social media because of the way they enable social interaction.

I heard young people weren't using Facebook anymore!

Not true. Data shows us that young people are using more social media sites, but they're not rejecting others. Their time spent online is expanding as social media become more and more ingrained in their daily life.

Why are they always checking social media?

Social media is a way for teenagers to stay in touch with their friends, like hanging out at the bus stop after school or chatting on the phone. It is an important part of socialising and connection in the modern world. Some of the main reasons teenagers regularly use social media include:

·         talking to friends

·         joining in on group conversations

·         learning about current events and staying up to date with online content

·         meeting new people

·         not having anything to do, or feeling bored

·         feeling like they might miss out if they aren't always up to date with social media.

What are the benefits of using social media?

Being socially connected is very important for the psychological development of the teenager, and in this day and age, the online environment is where they get a lot of this. By connecting with others through social media, they could:

·         develop better social skills

·         feel less isolated

·         learn about new cultural and societal ideas and issues

·         bond with their friends

·         have fun

·         be creative and share their own ideas with friends

·         be better equipped to be active citizens in society

·         develop real world skills to help them become more independent

·         learn about world events and current affairs outside of their immediate environment.

What are the risks of using social media?

Like any form of social engagement, social media comes with risks. Some of the most common risks include:

·         spending too much time online and being disconnected from the real world

·         being the victim of online bullying

·         damaging your online reputation

·         having your personal information shared online

·         being harassed or annoyed by someone you do not want attention from

·         being the victim of an online scam

·         having reduced self-esteem (for some teenagers)

Sometimes teenagers can feel a 'compulsion' to check their social media accounts frequently, but this is generally only in extreme cases. Teenagers can develop positive habits like taking regular breaks from checking social media, and making sure notifications are turned off so that their mobile device isn't distracting. This can help reduce the compulsion to check in with social media so often.

When to know if something is wrong

Some teenagers can be so absorbed in the social media that their behaviour and their wellbeing are disturbingly affected. Watch out for big changes in:

·         your energy levels and enthusiasm for offline life

·         your engagement in normal conversation

·         the amount of time you spend doing other activities, like sport, homework, and other hobbies

·         your self esteem and sense of self worth

Then it might be good to think again about your use of social media.