Social Media's Effect on Children

2056 Words5 Pages

The way society defines and uses media has consistently changed throughout history, however, for as long as man has communicated media has been social. Media is our medium to communicate with one another. The evolution of this medium into social media has raised controversy for over half a century. The argument regarding children and the use of social media has been a constant in this controversy. As the simplicity and ability to use a large variety of technology in social media has grown so, have the concerns for what type of social media we are using. The age at which we introduce children to these technologies is falling at an alarming rate. This progression is taking place both in and out of the home. Children are interacting in the medium of social media before they can read, using computers, and gaming systems. By emphasizing the use of technology, we encourage them to create a virtual world. With this constant push to learn and use technology and the medium of social media, we are failing to teach children how to behave and function in the real world. Because they are not interacting on a personal level, they are failing to learn fundamental skills in socialization. Social media negatively affects childhood development because it limits their ability to understand social cues, to understand conversational tones, and to communicate face to face.

Since ancient times, socialization has been a ritual originating in the home. Socialization is the process of acquiring culture (O’Neil, 2011). The skills taught to children, which will help them to interact with the world and people around them, begins with the practice of interacting with members of their own family. Socialization is a key element in the development of our perso...

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