There are definitely some problems with social media, as well as dangers that go along with the technology of today.
Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat , TikTok and others have become very popular, not only for us as parents, but for many kids and teens as well. We also now have texting, facetime and snaps available at our fingertips all day, every day. Though these ways of staying in touch with people can be very convenient and enjoyable, they are also not without risk.
Today I’m going to share 7 Problems With Social Media:
These are things to consider as potential problems that can occur when a lot of time is spent on Youtube, Tiktok or other social networks. (This would include texting, and instant messaging also.)
1. Social Media affects relationships
We don’t learn to interact and connect with people face to face. Young people especially can become very good at conversing online, but struggle with face-to-face communication. The more time they spend on social media, the greater the risk.
2. Our phone distracts us from our families.
It can consume us, and our actions may tell our families “Don’t bother me.” For parents, technology can make it easier to ignore or neglect our kids. (our spouse) Young people can get so caught up that they don’t want their siblings “bothering” them, or they don’t want to be interrupted as they are “talking” to “friends” online or through texts.
Being an available parent is an important part of building a strong relationship with your children, and winning their hearts.
3. Social Networking gives easy opportunity to get involved in sinful activities, or conversations.
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Sin is at the door when we mindlessly, or out of boredom, start surfing the posts, looking for someone to “converse” with, etc. We (and our kids) should get online for a set time, and a set purpose to avoid that mindless searching and scrolling.
How can social media destroy your life?
4. We can lose our filter when we are behind a screen.
It is easy to offend others because there is no way to indicate your tone of voice, or your facial expression. You are more likely to “say” things that you would never say face to face.
Texting and online communication takes away the “blush factor”, and make it easier to say inappropriate things. Gradually you become less timid about saying those things, and often it leads to acting on things that you never thought you would do.
5. Quick access to social media creates a desire for instant results.
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I know often there are times when I text or instant message someone, and get impatient if i don’t get an immediate response from them.
6. Our phone distracts from time alone with God.
It’s easy to neglect our time with God in our eagerness to check our Facebook notifications or see if someone commented on our status, etc. Other times, we rush through our Bible reading with our mind thinking about getting back to our social world.
I love this cartoon because it says it so well!
Is social media destroying our youth?
7. The Enemy is on social media, just like our kids.
It’s easy to think “I won’t let that happen to me (or to my kids).” Just remember the warning in I Corinthians 10:12: “Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.”
So what is the solution to these problems?
It isn’t avoiding them, or never letting our kids use social networking, but rather being aware and teaching our children to understand the dangers. The online world is here to stay, so we need to teach and prepare our children to use it wisely.
Let’s ask God to keep us aware of the risks, and not only teach our children how to use social networking appropriately but also set an example for them.
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