The Impact of Social Media Use on Preteen Mental Health: Exploring the Dangers and Solutions

 Do you use social media or not? Social media is very widespread around the world it is a big part of many young people's social and creative lives. It is everywhere in apps ,games websites and even learning environments.Because of this, we get connected to many types of people on social media, including some shady people and companies who take advantage of us. This makes us debate whether social media should be available for preteens or not. On its own, social media is not dangerous It’s the manner in which it’s used that can be the problem. In my opinion, social media can be very harmful to preteens.

                First, Social media exposes ads to preteens to generate revenue using marketing tactics through posts and advertisements. For example,Facebook is working to launch a preteen-friendly, “training wheels” version of the website. However, their main goal is to boost market share by increasing advertising revenue. What this means for preteens is that Facebook is more interested in advertising to them than in including them or teaching them how to use social media safely and effectively.This Shows that the companies care more about their profits than engaging kids in useful stuff. Also, preteens are highly susceptible to marketing that is targeted at them, and they are already exposed to plenty of advertising on television, billboards, computers, and even in some schools. It is important to minimize preteens exposure to advertising wherever possible, and social media websites are often riddled with ads.This shows that companies use ads that are highly adaptable to preteens to raise their market share and capitalize their trends as preteens carry the brand loyalties to young adulthood. Clearly, social media companies want to earn money by making users addicted to their apps.

                        Second, Social media can make it harder for preteens to find friends in real life and makes it difficult connecting with others. For example, sanctioning social media usage for preteens would be adding just another obstacle to keeping preteens outdoors and active this shows that social media is preventing kids from getting outside and having real-life interactions Also it means that they are not being physically active and playing with real friends . Also, most social media websites make it easy to use pictures instead of words to convey information, and this superficial approach to friendship can make it difficult for adolescents to form deeper relationships.This shows that since social media makes it easy for people to comment or say something through pictures and not use their words, these relationships don’t result in deep bonds or getting connected. Overall, preteens with access to social media will find it hard to make friends in real life and it displaces many things. It’s also important for kids to know that it’s completely unacceptable to cultivate relationships with strangers online.

                  Finally, Social media can lower the self worth of preteens which leads to anxiety and depression.Along the same lines, preteens are also susceptible to body image and self-esteem issues. The reliance on photos and the shallowness of online relationships can foster these issues, lowering the self-worth of preteens.This shows that kids spend most time trying to look good and cooler in the images they post and get depressed if they don’t get enough attention lowering their self esteem. Also, The advent of cyberbullying shows that preteens and even teenagers are often not quite mature enough to understand how their behavior can affect others. Cyberbullying is rampant among young Facebook users. Allowing even younger people to join this social website is likely to worsen the problem. This shows the other big danger that comes from kids communicating more indirectly is that it has gotten easier to be cruel. They text all sorts of things that you would never in a million years contemplate saying to anyone’s face. Cyberbullying can expose preteens to insecurities which will lead to lower self esteem that would’ve never happened if they weren’t using social media. Overall, preteens with access to social media will feel more awful about themselves due to online posts and comments.

                          In conclusion, Social media can be very harmful to preteens as the companies want to earn money by making users addicted to their apps, they will be less likely to make real life interactions, and their self-esteem will lower. If you are a preteen spending too much time on social media apps then you should be mindful of all these things and  be careful how to use it and minimize the usage of social media. It's best if you remove those apps as it may be harmful to you in the future if you keep using them.