Social media has taken over our lives. Hard to believe it’s just twenty years old. In that span of time, texts, emails, social networks, and social media have become the primary way we interact. Not just in virtual reality but in real life. How many lament the fact no one actually talks anymore? Phone calls have gone the way of the horse and buggy. It just takes too much time for those demanding immediate responses without actual interactions. Why deal with drama when a text can say it all? Even words have been replaced by abbreviations- LOL, BRB, AFAIK, BTW, FTW… and emojis.
Imagine a post solely written in these conveying the depth, breadth and substance of actual written words.
Only 23 states teach cursive writing in schools. I was shocked an intern in my office couldn’t read a regular clock. Why should she when digital is ubiquitous now?
46% of teens admit they are online constantly. Many almost 5 hours a day.
Since 2010, major depression among teens has increased 161% in boys and 145% in girls. Suicide rates for ages 10-24 year old boys increased 91% and girls, 167%. Studies are just starting to show how much online use is changing our lives and rewiring our brains.
One teen posted on TikTok –
Before you send a meme, that DM, that picture of your new shoes, I’ve probably already seen it.
STOP!
We regulate smoking, drinking, driving, pornography, age protect movies, even define how high a fence must be built around pools, but nothing protects us from this insidious tool often used to manipulate.
We are constantly enticed to watch, to view, to click. And it’s specifically geared for the most vulnerable- our children. The industry has worked to make it even more user friendly and addictive by activating feel good hormones every time we see a like or get a response.
If it was a drug, they’d have to be regulated but here it’s more malignant and nefarious. Here it uses our own brain mechanisms to hold us captive.
In 2023 Apple had profits of over 200 billion dollars.
Facebook, TikTok are also worth billions.
There’s no question they have the money to fix this.
But why would they, when they encourage the addiction?
Check out your screen time each week, you might be shocked. I was. Between researching and writing posts, checking news stories, occasionally shopping… I average 1 1/2 hours a day. Just looking at a screen! I’d have been horrified at such an intrusion on my valuable time a few years ago.
When my daughter was growing up, my issue was what she was exposed to in other homes. It was a constant struggle to keep her watching safe, age-appropriate TV and movies. Monitor online activity when all her homework required its use. Studies were clear, what pre-teens see on TV and movies is hard to differentiate from real life.
Keeping those visions out of her psyche made sense. There were ratings for a reason.
Sex, violence, rape, cruel and nasty behaviors didn’t have to be part of her environment no matter how many times I heard,
“The other kids get to see it.”
The precursor to Facebook, MySpace, didn’t start until she was 13.
I didn’t understand the significance until an article appeared in the local paper asking,
“Are your kids online?”
I was sure the answer was no.
I was shocked at how quickly she was willing to lie about her online presence and what she posted!
I had drilled into her not to talk to strangers, give out her address yet here she and her friends were posting pictures and talking about their schools. Making them all easy targets for predators.
We tend to overprotect them in the real world and under protect online.
Here are some tips on how to start:
- No smart phones till high school, only flip phones for emergencies.
- No social media until 16.
- More free play and responsibilities in the real world.
- Schools should be phone free zones.
- Monitor weekly usage.
Don’t have children? Grandchildren? So why should you care?
Because this is the generation that will decide our fates.
Without regulation they will be targets of unrelenting attacks that will define what data they receive and shape the adults they become. This undoubtedly will affect how they see and deal with every one of us for decades to come.
https://news.gallup.com/poll/512576/teens-spend-average-hours-social-media-per-day.aspx
-https://health.clevelandclinic.org/dangers-of-social-media-for-youth