Should kids use social media or not is a topic of debate nowadays. Nevertheless, social media has countless benefits. From young to old, everyone has become a social media addict. Even it’s hard to spend a few moments without a cell phone. Sometimes, risks overlap the positive points since there are many dangers associated with the inappropriate use of social media.

So, why kids should have social media? Kids of 13 and above should have social media to interact with their friends and share their interests. It is a great platform to make friendships and keep in touch with the changes in society. Plus, students need social media for research and communication with their fellows. However, it can also pose risks if too young kids use it without adult supervision.

If you want to know why kids should have social media, this post is for you. Read it and discover the pros and cons of using social media for kids.

What Is Appropriate Age for Using Social Media?

The appropriate age for using social media is 13. It is the start of teenage and a little bit of mature age. But make sure to allow your kids to use mobile under adult supervision. If your child understands and does not start pressuring you, it is better to wait until he is 15. The more mature he is, the more he will understand the world of social media. However, you can allow kids to use child-friendly social media platforms such as Messenger Kids and Youtube Kids.

Benefits Of Using Social Media

The major social media platforms include Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat, Tiktok, Whatsapp, Instagram. Several online gaming sites and chat spaces allow youth to interact and share their gaming interests.

Let’s share a few benefits of using social media:

Entertainment: Teens make fun and develop relationships with friends and family members. Mainly, entertainment is one of the major benefits of social media.

Connection with Global Online Communities: Teenagers and adults connect with global online communities to keep in touch with people of similar interests. For example, children or teenagers with a disability or medical condition share their experiences to make their life easier. Teenagers can also share their comments about TV shows, games, and hobbies.

Educational Benefits: In the recent Covid pandemic, kids’ schooling depends on social media. Your child can share educational content with teachers friends and get help from collaborative learning using social media.

Online Earning: Most kids have started making millions of dollars using digital marketing on social media platforms. It is a great source for teenagers to positively utilize their time on social media platforms and be independent early.

Why Shouldn’t Kids have Social Media?

Kids shouldn’t have social media due to the risks associated with it. There have been reports of deaths and criminal acts by younger kids due to inappropriate use of social media. If your kids use it unsupervised, they can share your sensitive information unintentionally with someone, which can cause a big problem for you as a parent.

The risks of kids using social media are:

Inappropriate Content: Your kids can be exposed to violent, aggressive, and inappropriate sexual content. Often, they encounter embarrassing photos that affect their psychological health.

Cyberbullying: Cyberbullying is harassment or bullying using electronic media. Kids are usually unaware of such risks. They may go into depression if anyone harasses them.

Excessive Screen Time: The excessive use of social media can increase screen time and cause bad effects on the health of kids and teenagers. The common symptoms include sleep disorders, hyperactivity, hunger problems, weak eye-sight, etc.

Sharing Important Info: Young kids can share parents’ personal and banking information with strangers. Consequently, it poses the risk of robbery and online scams.

Should Students Have Social Media?

Students of 13 and above should have social media. If necessary, kids under 13 should use social media only under their guardian’s supervision. In the COVID pandemic, online education could be impossible without social media. In addition, students can build knowledge by exploring and experimenting with social media. 

Final Thoughts:

 Social media has both positive and negative sides. Therefore, it is better to talk to your child about the risks openly. Banning social media in your home is not a solution to keep it away since your kids might be tempted to check it again and again when they are away from home. So, it’s your responsibility to teach your kids how to behave respectively on social media.