The inappropriate use of social networks It occurs when there is a lack of control and the negative effects of its use outweigh the positive effects. Some of these negative consequences are cyberbullying, sexting, loss of productivity and addiction to online shopping.
Although nowadays the use of social networks is almost inevitable, it is necessary to take certain precautions so that they do not become a problem. Ideally, you should learn to use them properly and in moderation..
There are studies that express that 50% of the world population uses social networks, with the majority of users being adolescents and young people, who use these platforms for 3 hours a day. In addition, these values are increasing year after year..
Social networks themselves are not bad, they can keep people who are estranged in contact, or even help you meet new friends. However, they can also have unwanted effects. It all depends on the use that is given to them.
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Some of the causes for inappropriate use of social networks are the following:
The fact that social networks give the possibility of establishing friendships can cause a dependency to people who are going through a period of loneliness, using these to cover an emotional void that is being experienced.
For some people, interacting with other human beings often carries a great emotional burden, sometimes frustrating the individual. This is why they prefer social networks to communicate, causing an addiction and generating more and more stress when having to face face-to-face situations.
Social networks like Facebook, Instagram or TikTok are designed to be addicting, with their designs and functions. This means that when a person begins to use them they can easily become addicted, without realizing how they are being controlled by the applications.
The human being tries to show a positive image towards other people and this is also true in social networks.
The photos and stories that are seen on social networks are, for the most part, trying to show an image of perfection, seeking at all times the acceptance of followers. This seriously affects people's self-esteem, who will feel better depending on the amount of "likes" they get for their posts..
The coldness that virtuality gives when giving an opinion about something or someone, makes it possible to generate comments without taking into account or respecting the feelings of the person who receives them, causing stress and anguish to the receiver..
The innocence or poor judgment that adolescents have about the possible risks that are generated in the use of social networks, makes it necessary for parents to control them, guiding them towards a correct use of them, taking care of their privacy and exposure.
Here are some examples of inappropriate uses of social media:
Cyberbullying, also known as cyberbullying, is a problem that has a higher incidence in adolescents and children. It occurs when a person is attacked or threatened through text messages, comments in publications, or showing shameful videos without their consent, among others.
Unfortunately, between 15% and 20% of young people who are subjected to cyberbullying, by not tolerating the situation, end up committing suicide.
Sexting consists of sending photos or videos with sexual content, of oneself, privately to another sender. The inconvenience that arises is that, on occasions, these photos are published without the author's consent, causing an exposure that the author did not authorize..
The ease that social networks provide to comment on any topic or person, can lead to the feelings of the other person not being taken into account.
One of the most negative uses of social networks is the viralization of fake news. Certain people or organizations take advantage of the networks to publish news with false information but that are striking.
Grooming is when an adult impersonates a child to interact with them, with the aim of committing sexual harassment or abuse. The possibility that social networks give to create false profiles, makes this type of practices possible.
The disclosure or exposure of personal data on social networks, or information about the location at all times, can produce situations of insecurity for users, since the intentions of the people who have access to this data are not always known..
Some of the consequences of inappropriate use of social networks are the following:
The excessive use of social networks at all times causes alterations in the habits of rest, causing them to sleep less hours than recommended.
Criminals can use social media to target potential victims, from thieves trying to gain the trust of people they will ask for money, to traders of illegal products, to cyberbullies..
It's common for people of working age to spend too much time on social media and lose productivity. Having the smartphone close by or having easy access to the networks makes them aware of them and cannot focus on work.
If children or young people who use social networks do not have appropriate control, they may be exposed to inappropriate content for their age.
Due to the need to constantly post, you lose track of the personal data that is disclosed. Giving information to people who, in some cases, do not know each other.
The constant use of social networks can produce a distancing in personal relationships, leading to the interaction between people to be carried out only in a "virtual" way.
The continuous comparison and competition, to achieve more “likes”, that exists in social networks, focus attention on appearance and the need for approval from other people.
When you are aware of what is happening on social networks, you stop paying attention to the environment, which generates distractions and a lack of connection with the people around you.
A series of measures can be taken to try to prevent the inappropriate use of social networks, these are:
Having a schedule for the use of social networks can cut the dependency that these generate. In this way you can do other types of activities, or rest the necessary hours, without distractions.
To moderate the use of networks, there are applications that allow you to limit the time spent with each application. Although it may seem little, an appropriate use limit can be 30 minutes a day.
If the hours of the day are not established at which social networks are to be reviewed, you can lose track of their use. Some people can check their smartphones hundreds of times.
To avoid this, it is important to establish the hours at which the networks will be accessed. For example, at 8 in the morning, 2 in the afternoon and 8 in the afternoon. It is advisable to check the networks at least 2 hours before sleeping, in order to have a healthy sleep free of the possible stress that misuse may cause.
In general, the rules are essential to avoid problems when living as a family or as a couple. When it comes to social media, one of the most important rules is not to use social media when eating or going out to practice family activities.
Face-to-face contact between people is very important, that is why group activities with friends or colleagues should be encouraged to maintain healthy social relationships.
In addition, it is advisable to carry out healthy activities, especially sports, without accessing the networks while practicing.
Minimizing the amount of data that is given on social networks is essential to prevent it from reaching the wrong hands.
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