As adults, we are aware of how we should traverse through the internet. We are aware of all the pros and cons, which allows us to keep ourselves safe online. However, that is not the case with the youth since the internet is notorious for influencing young minds.
Many aspects, such as cyberbullying and self-esteem issues, can influence youngsters. However, with the proper guidance, you can prevent all of these issues and make the internet a safer place.
Here is a detailed overview of how the internet negatively influences young people.
Common Mental Health Issues
Social media is good for everyone but to an extent. Excessive use of social media can lead to mental health issues in the youth.
In some cases, teens start feeling excluded as well. When teens see certain pictures on the internet, they start feeling left out or they start developing a sense of low self-esteem. Excessive use of the internet and social media can also lead to loss of sleep, which can further lead to problems like insomnia. Therefore, it is important to reinforce an idea of self-worth in the teens.
Cyberbullying
The thing about bullying is that it doesn’t only exist in the real world; unfortunately, it also exists on the internet. Bullying on the internet is commonly termed “cyberbullying.” You would be surprised to know that in 2024, not only did nearly half of teens face cyberbullying but 41% of adults and 95% of content creators did as well.
Cyberbullying links directly to depression in the case of the youth; therefore, it is necessary to keep a keen eye on who your child talks to on the internet. You can add a layer of security by using an internet service at home that is known for its security features. For instance, Xfinity Internet comes with advanced security features, such as parental controls that can allow you to limit your child’s internet usage and monitor what they do.
Lack of Social Skills
If your child spends too much time in front of a screen and on the internet, then they’ll only limit themselves to online interactions. They won’t be able to socialize with people outside the internet which can prove to be problematic for them later in life.
Spending too much time on the internet disintegrates your child’s ability to read social cues and engage in face-to-face interactions. They will also have a difficult time forming meaningful relationships with people in real life.
Therefore, you must encourage your child to go out and interact with children their age so that they can make new friends!
Poor Academic Performance
There is no doubt that the internet is a huge distraction, especially when you are working on something important. Using the internet for too long can hinder the kids’ academic performance, making it imperative that you monitor their internet usage.
You can also use the internet as a method of positive reinforcement for your child. For instance, you can tell your child that they can use the internet for a bit after they are done with their homework or prepared for an upcoming test. This way, they’ll look at using the internet as a reward for something that they do.
Exposure to Indecent Content
There is content on the internet that no parent would want their child to see. However, one way or another, your child can get exposed to such content if you are not careful about it. This can lead to problems such as addiction to it down the line, so it is best to nip the evil in the bud.
Again, having an internet connection with extensive parental controls can help you out here. You can filter out and block websites that would be potentially harmful to your child. You can also block certain keywords so that your kids don’t open such websites by accident either.
A Bonus Tip
It is also important that you be open with your child about things and have a deep conversation with them whenever you get the chance. This will help you groom your child and strengthen the bond between you and them.