Surprising Benefits Of Social Media For Your Teen

Cyberbullying is a topic that regularly appears in the news. It is not surprising that the majority of parents associate social media with something that is negative for kids when you consider this and the fact that those who are the targets of cyberbullying frequently experience serious repercussions. 

And while it's crucial for parents to establish positive social media usage behaviours in their children, such as setting limits and keeping an eye on their online activity, it's also critical to understand that social media is not necessarily a bad thing. It only turns into a problem when individuals abuse it for insulting, humiliating, and rumour-spreading. In fact, study shows that using social media has several advantages.

Social Media can Strengthen Friendships among Teens

Without a doubt, friendships play a significant role in a teen's life. Children who have strong friendships feel more confident and connected to their surroundings, as well as accepted for who they are. Additionally, friends can provide kids with life advice and inspire them to follow their dreams.

Additionally, studies have shown that having at least one strong friendship can significantly reduce bullying. In actuality, bullies frequently target adolescents who are isolated or alone. However, kids who have a close-knit circle of friends frequently have an added layer of defence against bullying.

The majority of teenagers think that social media improves their friendships.

In a Common Sense Networking survey, 52% of students said that social media helped their friendships, while only 4% said the opposite. Furthermore, the study discovered that about 30% of social media users think that networking online makes them feel more self-assured and outgoing.

Social Media Is a Platform for Positive Action

Social networking may assist teenagers in having an impact in their areas, whether they are planning fundraisers or donating to a worthwhile cause. Teens using social media to raise awareness of a problem have inspired certain social movements.

Teenagers now have more influence on the world around them thanks to social media, whether they create YouTube videos or Twitter campaigns. Additionally, their voices are becoming more noticeable.

Children are exposed to important global issues through social media as well as those in their local communities. They come to understand that social media allows them to support and assist others, even when they are far away. They can immediately affect issues like African hunger, the preservation of the rainforest, or the provision of educational resources for underprivileged children.

Social media reduces loneliness and feelings

Researchers have shown that while social media can make adults feel more lonely, kids may experience the opposite. According to one study, despite having fewer friends than they did ten years ago, teens today report feeling less lonely than their elders. Additionally, they claim to feel less alone. According to researchers, social media and technology make a difference. 

Teenagers are growing more individualistic, outgoing, and self-assured as they find their niche. 

Teens feel safer in their current friendships and experience less overall loneliness as a result of their greater individualism. This is especially true if the friendships in question are strong ones.

According to this research, teen social skills are improving as a result of their use of social media. As technology influences more aspects of daily life, effective online communication skills are crucial. Teenagers get skills for social networking sites and other online communication channels through social media. They become more good communicators as a result of our increasingly digital society.

Social media is an authentic source of support.

Teenagers used to frequently feel isolated and stigmatised if they had an odd interest or were struggling with who they were as a person in the past. Teenagers today have access to people who share their interests, goals, and worries. They feel accepted and confident in who they are thanks to this relationship.

Online communities are a further resource for teen help. For instance, young people today can receive support and assistance online without ever leaving their homes for problems like drug addiction and eating disorders. Teenagers who live in remote places or small towns with few resources would especially benefit from this.

Teens who are feeling suicidal can even immediately access leading internet support. A Reddit Minecraft community's success in encouraging a teen to not commit suicide is one instance of internet support in action. More than 50 of the users used audio conferencing in addition to posting encouraging comments and texts to convince the adolescent not to follow through. This is an ideal illustration of how modern technology and social media can help teens.

A Network Can Be Built Through Social Media

Using social media, your teen can start to establish an online presence that will catch the eye of colleges and potential employers. For instance, some teenagers create YouTube videos or blog postings about subjects they find interesting.

A young teen who loves to read and write might write book reviews or make videos where they share their opinions. They might even build a fan base if their work gets traction online, which might include writers, literary agencies, and publishers.

The youngster can then use their social media accounts as references on college applications when they apply for college. 

Teens can get a lot of opportunities and establish a good online reputation by creating a social media site. They may be introduced to college networks, scholarships, and even potential careers as a result. Additionally, it might alter how they view social media. It's more than simply a platform to share stupid photos and watch online drama anymore. They can use it as a tool to express their interests and eventually identify a professional path. 

Social Media Promotes Individual Expression

Digital technology is the ideal medium for expressing one's originality and uniqueness. Whether children prefer acting, singing, or writing, they can express these talents to others. Kids can express themselves online if they are interested in fashion, makeup trends, or creative hobbies. Giving teenagers these means of self-expression is crucial.

According to research, self-esteem and confidence are directly related. Children who are given opportunities, to be honest, and true to themselves are happy in general because they are satisfied with who they are. 

In contrast, kids start to question whether there is something wrong with them when they do not have many opportunities to express themselves or when they do not know others who share their interests or passions. They inquire as to why they differ from everyone else. 

Social media is a resource for information gathering.

For many teenagers, social media has evolved into a source of news and information. They can follow almost anyone who has a social media account after they start social networking. They have access to a wide range of knowledge, from authors and athletes to celebrities, chefs, nonprofits, and periodicals. ​

Teenagers can learn about topics that affect them or their friends. For instance, they can gather information if they have concerns that a friend may be struggling with an eating disorder or a drug addiction. Or, people can use their social media profiles to learn more about a presidential race, or climate change, or even discover fresh healthy eating ideas.