Should Children be Exposed to Social Media?
Learning Team C
BCOM/275
June 18, 2012
Dr. Nicholas Sherwin

Should Children be Exposed to Social Media?
The most popular way to stay connected to family, friends, coworkers and classmates is via social media. Today, there are numerous sites available and with technology are readily accessible to anyone of any age. For children, becoming a member of these sites can expose them to situations and experiences that can have both a positive or negative effect. It opens the door for them to be cyber bullied or can expose them to a new form of peer pressure. Social media sites allow round the clock access to everyone so that we can all be “connected”. Is the cost of this access worth the benefits of staying “connected”?
Social Media In todays world, media technology is a fundamental part of children’s lives. American children are heavily exposed to all forms of social media through many different channels of technology. Media is an instrument used as a form of communication, like a newspaper, radio, television, and the internet. Social Media is the main component of communication and is dramatically changing. Individuals can communicate with family and friends in more detail as more contents are created and shared on these social media websites. The most popular media used by children today are: the internet, cell phones, and a wide range are joining the social networking sites like Facebook and MySpace (The Future of Children, 2008).
One advantage of social media is interacting with family and friends who may live across the world. It is a convenient source used to communicate and keep you connected with anyone who is short or long distance. Social media is used also to post announcements for family and friends giving them the capability to RSVP right online in a few short seconds. Studies show that nearly three-quarters of children have profiles on MySpace or Facebook.
The dangers of social medial can sometimes outweigh the benefits. It is argued that social networking sites can expose children to predators, and promote short attention spans. Social Networks do not have the capability of verifying people who join these sites, which leaves people vulnerable to solicitations from basically anyone. Social Networking sites have also made it possible for children to become victims of cyber-bulling. Parents in Massachusetts are trying to understand the what bullying could cause the damage that apparently led their fifteen year old daughter to commit suicide (De Nies,Y.,2010). The main disadvantage would be the content that our children are subject to with social media. I think an article on the future of children said it best when they stated, “content matters” (The Future of Children, 2008). Rather than focusing on the type of technology used or how much time is spent with media, parents and policymakers need to focus on what is offered to children on the various media platforms.
Social Interaction Social networking sites are created by complicated connections between many people. These interactions can take place through different media online, and it can be very helpful to understand the different ways in which people can connect through social networking sites (The Components of Social Networking, 2012).
Social networking sites have several different components. Each can include friends, walls and boards, profiles, and photos and videos. Friends on social networking sites allow friends to see each other’s profiles, pictures, share music, and post messages to one another. A child will make their friend list longer to ensure their popularity, which in turn can increase the risk of online predators looking at his or her network. Unlike private e-mailing, a wall is like a virtual bulletin board that allows friends to post messages on each other personal pages (The Components of Social Networking, 2012). Walls and boards are used to create group conversations in which people can share their opinions. Social networking walls are not a place for private conversations, incriminating or disrespectful messages, or crude language. Profiles are great outlet for self-expression, and a great way to make connections and stay connected with friends (The Components of Social Networking, 2012). Profiles usually consist of the individuals name, favorite books, movies, video games, interest, skills, and can include intimate details such as hometown, location, phone number, and birth date. All social networking sites allow users to upload personal videos and photos. Unfortunately, many photos and videos posted by children on social networking sites contain sexually inappropriate imagery or incriminating behavior (The Components of Social Networking, 2012). Social networking sites have been said to have altered the landscape of social interaction, especially among young people. Solid psychological research demonstrating both the positives and the negatives of social networking sites was done by Larry D. Rosen, PhD, professor of psychology at California State University. Rosen discussed potential adverse effects including teens who use Facebook more often show more narcissistic tendencies while young adults who have a strong Facebook presence show more signs of other psychological disorders including antisocial behaviors, mania and aggressive tendencies (Social Networking’s Good and Bad Impact on kids, 2011). Facebook can be distracting and have a negative impact on learning. Over use of media and technology can lead to depression, anxiety, and other psychological disorders in children, preteens, and teenagers. New research has found positive influences linked to social networking. Young adults who spend more time on Facebook are better at showing “virtual empathy” to their online friends (Social Networking’s Good and Bad Impact on kids, 2011). Social networking can help withdrawn children learn how to socialize behind the safety of various screens. Social networking can provide tools for teaching in ways that will engage students. Almost everyone is a member of social networking. The law in this area is still relatively unsettled. The main areas where users can get themselves into trouble are through the posting of defamatory content or content that infringes on intellectual property rights (Understanding the Legal Issues for Social Networking sites and Their Users, 2008). The user will be liable if he or she is found to have posted defamatory content. If material is posted that invades another's copyright, the user will face liability for the intrusion. Also keep in mind that many states are passing laws that create obligations to verify a user's age (Understanding the Legal Issues for Social Networking sites and Their Users, 2008). Social networking users are not granted any of the immunities under the law concerning social networking sites. Acting appropriately when posting messages or files is how a user can protect him or herself from the laws.
Peer Pressure Peer pressure is the way that someone modifies him or herself based on what people of their own age or social class think. Peer pressure can produce a positive or negative impact on a person’s life. Positive peer pressure can involve saying no to drugs because no one in your social group does drugs to helping out in the community because peers will be present. Negative peer pressure is more common. There are so many ways that peers can influence the way a person acts, thinks, or believes. Social Networking has made it easier to communicate with others, especially communication between peers. Making it so easy to communicate will always produce pressure to conform to the “norm” of what peers are participating in. Children especially have a difficult time with peer pressure while using social networking sites because in today’s world, social networking is of the main means of communication and sharing. Pressure to participate in activities that others are participants in and post their experience on social networking sites (Facebook, Twitter, etc.) is considered the “norm.” According to a survey by McAfee (which is the leading provider of internet security), “Teens today increasingly face pressure to live up to peer expectations and are basically growing up faster than the normal standards,” said Stanley Holditch, online family safety advocate at McAfee. “We encourage parents to understand the different realities their teens are dealing with, and recommend they stay informed of what their kids are doing online by maintaining open dialogue with them, and monitor their online use with monitoring software” (2012). To combat the effects of peer pressure, teens should be exposed to a certain amount of peer pressure, in order to know what to expect, but should also be monitored and questioned about what they are taking in and would want to convey about themselves. A person that is more confident in the choices they make will more than likely make good choices on peers to interact with. The same goes for a less confident person, they more often make less positive peer group choices. This is primarily because a child who has been taught self awareness and self confidence will likely leave a group that has a negative impact on his or her life, as opposed to a non-confident or non-self aware person will likely want to be accepted. The Journal of the European Economic Association conducts a study on confident, self-aware children and states, “There are two important drivers of endogenous groups with peer pressure. First, pressured agents benefit from positive pressure while they can suffer from negative pressure. Thus, to avoid being pressured, agents might leave a group when facing negative peer pressure, but not when facing positive peer pressure. Second, exerting pressure is an expensive activity, regardless of the type of pressure. Thus, if agents face some limit on the number of others with whom they can interact, then agents will prefer to be matched with agents who do not need to be pressured, all else held equal” (2010, p. 80). Children will face peer pressure at some point during their lives, but not all children will conform to it. Children need the love and attention it takes to make a self-aware, confident, and goal oriented individual. They must be taught that there will be choices in life, but the popular choice isn’t always the right choice.
Cyber-Bullying
Cyber-bullying is derived from an old problem, packaged up and exacerbated by today’s technology driven online super highway. Online bullying, called cyber-bullying, happens when people use the Internet, cell phones, or other devices to send, post, or text images intended to hurt or embarrass another person. Cyber-bullying is a problem that is currently affecting almost half of American teens. ("National Crime Prevention Council", 2012). In today’s technology driven society where Moore’s law, (Moore’s law is a rule that describes how every twenty-four months technology doubles in size and capacity) is ever prevalent. Parents must stay apprised of the latest technology to ensure their children are not being subjugated to cyber-bullying. Children and teens that rely more on text messages to communicate with their peers are more susceptible to being bullied through technology. Teens who constantly post messages on Facebook or Twitter accounts can be adversely affected, mentally and socially because of negative comments peers post about them. There are many theoretical reasons teens partake in cyber-bullying. One of these theories is that just like anything else, cyber-bullying is a learned behavior. Teens see their friends cyber-bully others and not only learn the specific techniques or tactics, but also learn to justify the behaviors (it is just a joke, the target had it coming, it is no big deal, they won’t get caught, etc.) ("Cyberbullying Research Center", 2012). Regardless of how children or teens are learning this behavior, the effects of their behavior have had drastic effects on their targets. In some extreme cases young teens have ended their life through suicide to escape this bullying. The internet is severely changing the culture of today’s youth. Companies are solely based online, business opportunity’s become a global market, and the entire world’s economy can be affected by the internet. With the increase in technology, each society must determine if social networking is appropriate for their children. If a society chooses to let their children utilize this networking tool, should parents and school officials be held legally accountable for cyber-bullying? In today’s society where people are held responsible for their actions, should not the parents and school officials that place the technology responsible for cyber-bullying in the children’s hands, be held accountable. Currently, there are more than thirty states that have cyber-harassment measures and other states are in the process of creating similar proposals. Although each state’s harassment measures vary, one message is made very clear: Cyber-harassment and cyber-bullying is not acceptable, and measures are going to be taken to hold people responsible.
Conclusion
In today’s world, social media is everywhere and the primary source of communication among young people. Although this is an inevitable fact, parents, and other adults in positions of authority (teachers, coaches, etc.) should keep a close eye on the young people to watch for adverse signs due to social media. As shown, there are cases which social networking can be of benefit, but when the results are the opposite the consequences can be terrifying and horrific. It is responsibility of the parents to communicate with and know their child to determine if he or she should be exposed to social media and to ensure their child is mature enough to handle both the positive and negative impacts and make the proper choices.

References
50 Definitions of Social Media. (2012). Retrieved from http://thesocialmediaguide.com/social_media/50-definitions-of-social-media Calvó-Armengol, A., & Jackson, M. O. (2010). PEER PRESSURE. Journal of The European Economic Association, 8(1), p. 80
Coetsee, F. (2010). Advantages and Disadvantages of Social Media Networking. Retrieved from http://www.socialmediastrategy.co.za/index.php/social-media-marketing/what-are-some-advantages-and-disadvantages-of-social-media-networking/
Cyberbullying Research Center. (2012). Retrieved from http://cyberbullying.us/
National Crime Prevention Council. (2012). Retrieved from http://www.ncpc.org/cyberbullying
Social Networking Components. (2012). Retrieved from www.parentfurther.com
Social Networking's Good and Bad Impact on Childrens. (2011). Retrieved from www.apa.org
Teens Feeling Pressure to “Grow Up” and Reveal Intimate Details Due to Social Networking According to McAfee Study. (2012). Retrieved from http://www.mcafee.com/us/about/news/2012/q2/20120521-01.aspx
The Future of Children, vol. 18, no. 1, Spring 2008 www.futureofchildren.org
Understanding the Legal Issues for Social Networking sites and Their Users. (2008). Retrieved from www.findlaw.com