Social Networking and Children

Social Networking and Its Effects for Children

Chelsea M. Cappiello

Mercer County Community College

Abstract

This paper will educate the mind about Social Networking today. We will look at its pros and cons, as well as how it effects humans everyday. Articles will discuss the factors of Social Networking and children. This paper should address the issue as to wither Social Networking web sites are appropriate for teens, or if their access to such websites should be restricted. We'll explore the dangers of Networking sites for children and the possible ways we can lower the risks of Social Networking sites being dangerous for children.

Social Networking and its Effects on Children

Social networking today is one of the most prominent parts of the internet and peoples daily lives. Social Networking is a way for individuals to communicate and keep in touch. A basic social networking site is a place on the internet that allows you to create a profile. In such profile you put up information about yourself for the public to see. You are not restricted to put up any more or less information then you want. Anyone with a profile can post as much or as little as they one, from nothing to every detail about their life. You can advertise your favorite books, movies, TV shows, sports and favorite teams. Most commonly there is a section for your personal information including your birthday, hometown, current locations, race, religious views, sexuality, and relationship status.

Along with all the information to post in your profile some sites have web logs allowing you to blog everyday about what you did or have done. They allow you to post a status as often as you can informing people of your location, what you're doing, what you're thinking or just a random statement. There are many arguments as to why this is a good thing or a bad thing. Someone can argue that if someone doesn't want to know they don't have to read it or look at your profile. This is completely true, but is it even safe to post your location? Along with statues and personal information you can talk to eachother, comment on others pages, message, and post pictures and videos.

There are hundreds of social networking sites today. A few of the top rated are Myspacem, Twitter, Youtube, Bebo, Flicker, Xanga, and many others. Yet, the most popular Social Networking site today is Facebook. There are approximately 500 million active users on Facebook. Two hundred and six million of United State internet users have a Facebook profile. That means that 71.2% of America is on Facebook. 48% of 18 to 34 year olds check their facebook right when they wake up and about 28% check it on their phones before they even get out of bed. With all this information already in your head take this one in. 57% of people talk more online then they do in real life! (Battishill, 2011) These facts alone are shocking and they are only facts about one of these growing social networking sites.

A large amount of young children today have computer access. Many of them have come to find Social Networking sites such as Facebook, Myspace, Xanga and Youtube. These young children are learning fast to where they can now post pictures and videos of themselves. They are talking and shares their information on the web available for anyone to see. Most services only request a minimum age requirement of 14 years old. But all they ask is for a month day and year allowing children to adjust the year to be an age they are allowed to have a site.

Pros for children and social networking sites are simple. They gain social skills by learning to communicate with others. They keep in touch with family and friends around the country or even the world without having to pay long distance prices. Children can express themselves freely on these sites allowing them to share and learn about other peoples similar likes. Social networking sites clearly teach kids how to navigate the internet and how to upload download and do a lot of technological things which is a great to know with the technology in the world today. Yet, there are many other ways to do all of these things. They can join clubs and sports outside which will allow then to gain even better social skills and share and express themselves with others. They can also be on the internet and learn things without having to be socially out there sharing personal information.

There are far more cons to this issue then pros. Kids are becoming