Skip to main content

Main menu

  • Playground
  • Surfacing
  • Parks
  • Athletics
  • Aquatics
  • Play
Home
  • Playground
  • Surfacing
  • Parks
  • Athletics
  • Aquatics
  • Play
  • Build a Sandbox
  • The Play Value Of Sand
  • With Community Helpers the Play Lady Receives the Fred Rodgers Helpers Award
  • Texas Legislating Recess
  • Keeping the Fun in Fundraising
  • See Accessibility Through the Eyes of a Child
  • Outdoor Play for Children with Intellectual Disabilities on Playgrounds
  • The Impact of Social Media on Children, Adolescents, and Families

Breadcrumb

  1. Home
  2. Play
  3. Games
  4. The Impact of Social Media on Children, Adolescents, and Families

The Impact of Social Media on Children, Adolescents, and Families

Games
June 22, 2021
Profile picture for user Alex Lysak
By Alex Lysak on
  • facebook-f
  • twitter
  • envelope
  • print
308
The Impact of Social Media on Children, Adolescents, and Families

The Impact of Social Media on Children, Adolescents, and Families

Social media has changed the way people communicate with their friends and family. It can penetrate almost every aspect of a young person’s life. Marketing companies and scholars alike have done plenty of research on the impact of social media on society, so how does it affect your lives? Alex Lysak, a digital marketing expert, discusses how it affects adolescents, children, and families. 

Communication Skills

There’s been a consensus among the researchers that social media helps children and adolescents practice their communication skills. They can communicate with people from around the world, which can help kids and teens learn empathy and talk to people from different walks of life. 

Education

Using forums on various platforms, watching videos, and having discussions with people who hold similar interests, one of the social media effects on children is a broader education. Children are exposed to topics that school curriculums rarely cover. Podcasts are a big part of the information that kids get. 

With the launch of the new platform, Clubhouse, kids and teens are now exposed to even more information. Various reports have stated that Clubhouse may be the future of podcasts. Clubhouse is an audio-only media that recently rolled out the Android app, where it was solely available to Apple users before. It’s invitation-only and hosts celebrities, influencers, and experts from the U.S. 

Safety

Clubhouse has received some scrutiny about the safety of its various rooms. People have commented that many rooms aren’t adequately moderated, but this is likely growing pains, something that every social media platform goes through as it becomes more popular. 

The safety of these platforms is part of how social media is changing family relationships. Parents should monitor their children’s movements to ensure that they understand the risks and know how to keep themselves safe. Children and teens can view this as their parents interfering in their personal lives, or it can be time to spend with their parents. 

How is Social Media Changing Family Relationships?

What are the social media effects on adolescent development? According to the Mayo Clinic, there seems to be a reason to worry.  Besides being a distraction from important tasks, social media has also been shown to disrupt the sleep patterns of teens, something that can be detrimental to their health. It also exposes them to bullying and the spreading of rumors. 

Dove points out how social media can also create unrealistic expectations for youngsters. They try and get likes on their posts, sometimes in unhealthy ways, and it can be damaging to their self-esteem. 

What can You Do?

Parents can help their kids navigate the complicated world of social media by explaining what is acceptable and what not. Encourage family time where no one is on a device, and monitor your child’s profiles. You can have conversations about social media, what the research says, and how your child can make good choices. You should also encourage face-to-face social time with friends. 

Final Thoughts

Social media has many pros and cons. Regardless of how you feel about your kids and teens using these platforms, it’s something that’s here to stay. Help your kids to get positive impacts through social media. 


Sources:

  • https://www.dove.com/us/en/dove-self-esteem-project/help-for-parents/social-media/social-media-affect-on-teens.html
  • https://givingcompass.org/article/how-using-social-media-affects-teenagers/?gclid=CjwKCAjw-e2EBhAhEiwAJI5jgxI0w8f_OB4mLZoOtVuG6ck7U-l_6m9umadzGB7Arh9IWHMtk0qgFhoCP7QQAvD_BwE
  • https://childmind.org/article/how-using-social-media-affects-teenagers/
  • https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/tween-and-teen-health/in-depth/teens-and-social-media-use/art-20474437#:~:text=However%2C%20social%20media%20use%20can,much%20social%20media%20teens%20use.
  • https://scanteam.pro/will-clubhouse-kill-podcasts-and-radio/
  • https://www.internetmatters.org/hub/news-blogs/what-is-the-clubhouse-app-what-parents-need-to-know/
  • https://onlinedegrees.unr.edu/online-master-of-public-health/impact-of-social-media-on-youth-mental-health/

Add new comment

The content of this field is kept private and will not be shown publicly.
About text formats

Plain text

  • No HTML tags allowed.
  • Web page addresses and email addresses turn into links automatically.
  • Lines and paragraphs break automatically.
Profile picture for user Alex Lysak
Alex Lysak
Published 2 years ago
Last updated 10 months ago
308
2
min read
A- A+
  • facebook-f
  • twitter
  • envelope
  • print

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter

More About Games

Kids playing with VR goggles
Feb 26, 2018
Games

Future of Play - Evolving a Kid-Friendly XR Ecosystem

PGP
Mar 01, 2004
Games

The Joy of Being a Kid

Playground Magazine
Ways to Get Tech-Loving Kids to Play Outside
Feb 15, 2022
Games

Ways to Get Tech-Loving Kids to Play Outside

Cora Gold
Nov 19, 2014
Games

You CAN Solve the Rubik's Cube

Shane Rhinewald
boy throws ball at home bowling toy
Jan 19, 2021
Games

5 Indoor Games to Keep your Kids Busy

John Martins
Why is Internet Safety Important for Kids?
Jun 29, 2021
Games

Why is Internet Safety Important for Kids?

David Peterson
Pokemon Go
Jul 26, 2016
Games

Pokemon GO, Play and Parks

Jay-Beckwith
5 DIY Escape Room Ideas at Home
Jun 30, 2021
Games

5 DIY Escape Room Ideas at Home

Priyanshi
How To Choose The Best Online Games For Your Kid
Jun 15, 2021
Games

How To Choose The Best Online Games For Your Kid

Inna Atwood
Video game ratings
May 11, 2021
Games

Video game ratings: What to know before your kid starts playing

Luke Strauss
Travel Binder Printables for Kids
Jun 09, 2020
Games

Travel Binder Printables for Kids

Karlyn Mckell
Is TikTok Safe for Your Kids?
May 04, 2021
Games

Is TikTok Safe for Your Kids?

Sophie Isbell

Games Professionals

Toviga
Toviga
Manufacturer
More
M&P Amusement
M&P Amusement
Manufacturer
More
Biba
Biba
Manufacturer
More
Starlux Games
Starlux Games
Manufacturer
More
Home

Follow Us

Play and playground news and information since 2001

  • instagram
  • facebook-f
  • twitter
  • pinterest
  • linkedin

Company

  • Playground Magazine
  • Contributors
  • Advertise
  • Subscribe

Copyright © 2001 - 2023 Playground Professionals, LLC

Footer menu

  • Contact
  • Privacy
  • Terms and conditions