Technology is now a part of everyone’s life, especially teenagers and kids, whether it’s a camera, television, GPS, and more. The internet can have some good uses, like looking for new cookie recipes or great places to visit during the holidays. However, when you are on the internet, issues and unfortunate things are bound to happen, like changes in your mental health, personality, and how you see yourself. The media can influence bad thoughts, affecting you in multiple ways.
Teenagers and younger kids use electronics all the time, whether it’s a television or any screen. With electronics in the hands of almost everyone, problems are bound to arise.
When you are on the internet you can be discovered by tons of people; predators and bad people are everywhere, and you never know when another will strike next, and who they will target. These types of people can be anywhere on the internet, like video games, or they may even be influencers.
Most internet apps can ‘chat’ with others like Snapchat, you are most likely to be found by creeps when in a chat room with a group of people. Each day there are an estimated five hundred thousand online predators targeting ages 12 through 15. These predators convince young people to slowly give out personal information which allows them to track you down.
Limiting media use on children can help. Without this, it can cause issues such as sleep deprivation, obesity, a negative effect on school performance, and much more.
Cyberbullying
- Cyberbullying can cause major depression or even lead to suicide. Children are major victims of this form of harassment. This can happen at any point in time, and cyberbullying can eventually turn into health issues, for both the victim and the bully.
What is causing our kids to have so much attitude? (Eliana Choma)
Behavior problems.
- The violent content on TV screens may influence children to change their attitudes for the worse and affect their eating habits. Commercials can be scary and a bad influence on kids.
Obesity
- Kids who spend too much time on the internet tend to be overweight because of the screen time they receive. Some commercials show snacking on the couch and watching television. The media can also introduce your child to alcohol, drug use, inappropriate behavior, and smoking. This affects your child’s actions and influences them to do the same.
Our phones are affecting our sleep schedule because of the blue light. (Eliana Choma)
Not enough sleep
- The media can interfere with your child and their sleep which can affect their actions in school, allowing them to be lazy, do badly on tests and quizzes, and even fall asleep during a lesson. Most screens have blue light which causes eye damage and can impact your eyes keeping you awake at night.
Sometimes, screens can be good for schooling, studying, or having fun with friends, but too much can be bad for you and others. You can stop this by limiting screen time for your children and giving them something else to do. Let their creative minds go wild on a piece of paper and some colored pencils.
Dear America, limit the amount of time your children have on phones. It will do them, and us, a lot of good.
