Social Media And Adolescents: A Psychological Analysis

Improved Essays
As the use of technology seems to be advancing by the days, more and more minors are becoming internet savvy trading in Barbie’s and Books for iPads and eBooks. With social media becoming so easily accessible to our youth, concerns have surfaced regarding their safety. Many feel as if social networking sites such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram can lead to youth being exposed to the threat of cyber bullying and sexual predators. There are some who say without these sites we could stifle a child’s ability and talent to create the next technological phenomenon. It is also believed that this social media usage can impact a child negatively by exposing them to the threats of being cyberbullied or taken advantage of by sexual predators. Considering …show more content…
Predators tend to prey on minors who are easy targets. It could be from a child seeking parental guidance or even a child suffering from low self-esteem. The typical sexual predator tries to find intimacy, but when they can 't find it in appropriate ways they demand it or find a child who has little resistance. Abraham Maslow, an acclaimed psychologist, created a hierarchy of needs. He stated in order for a child to reach their maximum potential, self-actualization, there basic needs must be met. Self-esteem is one of the levels in Maslow’s hierarchy proving that in order for our children to reach their full potential, self-esteem must be met. Children with low self-esteem are the more likely to attract sexual predators. At this stage of life, esteem presents the need for belonging and the desire to be accepted and valued by others. Under these circumstances, deprivation of this need can lead to an inferiority complex of weakness and helplessness of a minor. On the other hand, socializing on web pages can allow shy, socially awkward minors to boost their social skills and self-esteem. These children find comfort in being able to express themselves online in a way they were not able to do in person. However, minors may become too social and this can cause them to reveal information, which makes it easier for sexual predators to target them. Statistics show that in 82% of online sex crimes against minors, the offender used the victim 's social networking site to gain information about the victim 's likes and dislikes. At this stage of a minor’s life, where self-esteem is more prevalent, the risk of them being exposed to sexual predators online is very

Related Documents

  • Great Essays

    Social media is defined by Merriam Webster as forms of electronic communication through which users create online communities to share information, ideas, personal messages, and other content. (Merriam-Webster, 2011). The recent popularity of social media and related technologies has had a negative effect on the mental well being of adolescent users due to the addictions and unrealistic expectations that social media creates. The “like” system panders to users’ needs for validation, which reinforces self -centered thoughts and behaviors. Sites, such as Facebook and Twitter, add more complications and expectations to the lives of users because they compare themselves to others, which can fuel feelings of inadequacy.…

    • 1494 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Great Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Retweet or Delete Social media is growing rapidly throughout the whole world. Originally social media was created for only the military’s access, which made it easier to stay connected. Next, the police got ahold of it and social media became a great source of help to track and locate criminals. When the public learned of this extraordinary technology it rocketed around the world. Each person eager to try this new source of communicating.…

    • 850 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    The emotional status and reputation of children is challenged daily by the use of social media through posts and even personal conversation (Coyl 405). As a result of the harm that ties into social media’s use, children can undergo the ramifications of depression and anxiety at an age too young for complete understanding. From the moment we enter the world we wholly place our trust in our parents, but as we grow to believe in our own independence this open relationship diminishes. Sloviter argues that since social media websites are easily accessible despite their terms and conditions concerning age, parents are pushed…

    • 1346 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Another problem with social media is cyberbullying. “Among social media users, 88% of teens have seen someone be mean or cruel to another person on a social network site. “ (Pew 3) “Because of their limited capacity for self-regulation and susceptibility to peer pressure, children and adolescents are at risk as they navigate and experiment with social media.” (McBride…

    • 1137 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Vicki Haddock’s article, “Teenagers Need Policing Online,” is a thorough review of many of the issues teenagers and young adults face on the internet. The boom of social media has only increased parent’s awareness of the potential risks their children could face by having an online profile. To assist in raising awareness to parents and legal guardians, author Vicki Haddock showcased her 30 years of experience as journalist, reporter, editor and columnist ("Author Vicki Haddock," n.d.). Using her experience, real life examples and statistics to her credit, Haddock proved that parents need to remain aware and diligent of their children’s internet activity to ensure they are not the predator or the prey.…

    • 788 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Sexting Is Dangerous

    • 511 Words
    • 3 Pages

    All over the world teens are using the internet in their everyday lives, whether it is simply watching a funny video on YouTube or doing research on many different topics for a class project. No matter the reason it is used, the internet has always been very dangerous if not well monitored. Now that teens have greater access than ever to the World Wide Web, parents are facing a new set of dilemmas, such as teens sending inappropriate content, talking to strangers they do not know, and dealing with bullying. Engaging in inappropriate context, such as “sexting”, is a dangerous activity for teens. Sexting is sending, receiving, or forwarding sexual photos or sexually suggestive messages through text message or email.…

    • 511 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Great Essays

    Online Child Predation

    • 1657 Words
    • 7 Pages

    The Reality of Online Child Predation Nowadays, in this generation, we have grown more dependent of the internet to perform everyday tasks, Though the convenience can be an extraordinary thing, it can also be extremely dangerous. Children and teens have gotten their hands-on socializing online, and parents are doing one of two things. They are becoming more aware of what their children do online or backing off allowing their children to do whatever they desire while on the net. Parents need to be aware that their children are at risk of possibly being targeted by online predators and should set restrictions to their device while in the use of their children rather than allow them to have access…

    • 1657 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Great Essays
  • Superior Essays

    However, by focusing on the way the “supposedly” positive effects that these children and teens experience by using these social media sites, the authors overlooks the deeper problem of these social networks. The point is that by meeting new people online and having a relationship with them, without actually knowing who they are, is like inviting predators to harm you, or invade your privacy, cyber-bullying, as well as identity theft to your person. Therefore, as parent it is important to moderate what your child is doing on the internet, as well as putting ground rules on the uses of social media…

    • 1795 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Superior Essays
  • Improved Essays

    6 Endangered Runaways

    • 1029 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Sometimes the predators will even manipulate the victim into posing for pictures or to take their own picture and send it to them. This can eventually be very damaging for teens if someone finds out or if things go too far. Encounters with the predator can be very bad and sometimes deadly and in most cases there will be psychological trauma for years to come. A lot of times teens will run away from home or even result to prostitution. 1 in 6 endangered runaways reported that they were likely sex trafficking victims.…

    • 1029 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Superior Essays

    Are Parents Really Aware of What Internet Predators Are? As the internet and social media have made our lives easier, it has also become an easy way for child predators to get in touch with kids. Parents are aware that there are many predators on the internet, but are unaware of how cyber-predators look for kids ages from elementary school to high school. Predators can come in diverse forms and have different intentions than other predators.…

    • 1574 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Superior Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Albert Einstein once stated, “Technological progress is like an axe in the hands of a pathological criminal.” This quote from 1800s-1900s has become even more relevant in the 21st century, because of the advancing popularity in social media platforms. Adolescents are mainly exposed to modern media sites because they’re growing up in a time where technology is advancing rapidly. Advocates of social media platforms claim that the internet is what connects the world together; it is an efficient and helpful way of communication, a modernized way for students and teachers to search for information and conveniently spreads informative news faster. However, social media manages to put society 's privacy in danger every day.…

    • 1090 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Superior Essays

    In Fleur Gabriel’s “Sexting, Selfies and Self-Harm”, social media present new possibilities for expression and sociality, but the effect that social media are having on young people is a subject of considerable academic and public concern. Social media has given a new view on “growing up. since teens have more access to inappropriate content on the internet. These adolescents have access to a plethora of information on the internet and are able to learn new things every single day. Most of the time young girls feel sexualized while looking a pictures of beautiful, “perfect people.”…

    • 1241 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Superior Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Is the Modern Era Ruining Childhoods Countless opinions exist debating whether or not the modern era is ruining childhoods. Attributes of today's society have led people to pick sides on the matter. Although this controversial topic may never have a definite answer, one thing is for sure, childhood today is the polar opposite to past childhoods. Society now has technology that benefits children.…

    • 929 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Superior Essays

    This early exposure can affect how teens develop. Experts worry that “...the social media and the text messages that have become so integral to teenage life are promoting anxiety and lowering self-esteem” (Ehmke). People use social media for many reasons, including to stay in touch with friends and family, to stay up-to-date with news and current events, and to fill up spare time. Some other reasons people use networking sites are to find funny or entertaining content, share information, opinions, photos, and videos, and to meet new people (Geoff). Geoff, who writes about social media in his article, says, “Most of the top reasons are all linked to ‘passive networking,’ which means that users come to social media to consume content rather than actively contribute” (Geoff).…

    • 1077 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Superior Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Many youths share personal information such as photos of themselves, their cell phone numbers and more. By sharing these private information it can have serious consequences. Online predators can use their shared information to hack into their accounts…

    • 897 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays