Introduction
Social media consumption among teens has a bad reputation, even though several teens make substantial income. The current generation must be technically empowered to seek jobs in the digital workplace. However, the innocence of adolescence may be damaged by the dark side of social media platforms. The DMs of Instagram, Snapchat, and TikTok are often filled with hate messages and cyberbullying, which can complicate interactions with people for teens. This blog highlights the impact of social media and encourages moderate and mindful consumption.
Positive Impact of Social Media
Many parents and health advisers curse social media, claiming that teens and young children are getting addicted to it. Recently, a few lawsuits were also filed against Meta for being harmful and addictive. However, in PEW research, 69% of teens have applauded social media for making it easier to pursue their hobbies.
Even in the education landscape, tablets and smartphones are widely used to modernize education. Students can access free lectures and lessons on platforms like YouTube to better understand the subjects. Many educational influencers share tips and tricks to help students learn faster and retain information better. There are social media communities and influencers dedicated to teaching kids to learn better and improve their studying habits.
Inspired by these educators, many teens even go on to create their own social media accounts to share their work. It triggers healthy conversations and constructive feedback on the student’s work. Art students, especially, are gaining massive exposure by posting pictures of their artwork on platforms like Instagram. Instead of warning the kids to stay away from social media, they must be taught skills to approach social media positively to benefit from it. Awareness about cyberbullying will stop teens from becoming bullies and also teach them how to tackle it effectively.
Negative Effects of Social Media on Teenagers
While social media is integral to the current lifestyle, knowing the negative effects of social media is also essential. Spending too much of the time on social media can have the following bad effects:
- Reduced time for connecting with nature
- Lethargic lifestyle due to reduced physical activity
- A compulsion to compare oneself with other young adults and ultimately judge oneself harshly
- Poor body image due to heavily filtered content on social media
- Alteration in brain response due to increased digital interactions
- Cyberbullying causes mental health issues
- Sleep deprivation due to prolonged social media usage leads to depression symptoms
- The inability of teens to facilitate face-to-face interactions
5 Tips For Mindful Social Media Consumption
Smartphones have become crucial in our lives. It is not possible to ban teens from using phones, but they can learn how to use social media for good. Young individuals can face the world confidently if they can harness social media to their advantage. Here are some tips to benefit from social media:
#1 Seek Awareness
Knowing social media’s benefits and potential issues is the first step to exploring these platforms. Most platforms allow users over 13 years to open their accounts and post content. Teens can share informative posts and be creative with engaging content. You can advocate for a positive change by encouraging discussions within the community. It can be used to mobilize people towards a common goal. A 17-year-old student of North Texas created Be the Light Youth Association and used social media to support disadvantaged students and shed light on such issues.
#2 Show off Creativity
Platforms like Instagram are among the best places to showcase your artistic skills. If drawing or painting is your hobby, you can post pictures on these platforms and build followers. Some may even be willing to pay for your creative endeavors. This can boost your confidence and encourage you to hone your skills. You can also network with people who share the same passion to expand your skills. You can even start generating money from your artwork by selling it, taking art classes, or monetizing your creative works.
#3 Work Towards Personal Branding
Modern-day recruiters check out candidates’ social media accounts before the hiring process. When you consume social media, be aware of the personal branding. Everything you share on social media is a reflection of your personality. Your digital footprint can shape your positive online presence. Going viral for the wrong reasons will not paint a good picture of you.
#4 Strengthen Friendships and Networks
For professional growth, your personal and professional networks are crucial. You can use social media from a young age to build your networks and connections. Finding a mentor for teens who can help shape your career is possible. Being inspired by industry leaders and joining their network will boost your chances of finding a job that aligns with your passion. Social media platforms allow you to strengthen such friendships regardless of the boundaries.
#5 Enhance Digital Literacy
Knowing platform features will improve your digital literacy. Many new-age social media jobs, such as social media manager or influencer, will be easy to reach for you if you are highly knowledgeable about SEO aspects of social media. As a part of it, you can also learn to be mindful of what you post. Always consider the impact of your words before hitting the post button. Take control of your words and spread positivity to inspire and uplift others.
Conclusion
The benefits of the impact of social media on the young generation outweigh the negatives. Many teens are winning over social media platforms with authentic content and a refreshing outlook on lives. Young people are passionate and are not afraid to learn new skills. Sharing meaningful stories and engaging with the audience will help them create a personal brand with which their audience can resonate. This community can be expanded and nurtured to start a full-fledged online business. However, you should monitor and control the number of hours you spend on social media to avoid spiraling down the rabbit hole.
With so many new-age careers in social media, teens need not shy away from using it for their benefit. Check out Mindler blogs to learn how to create your personal brand and get noticed for your skills and passion.
