Abstract
This paper explores how Social Networking Sites (SNSs) are detrimental for adolescents and children. According to the Australian Communications and Media Authority (2014) SNSs are an important part of youngsters worldwide. Adolescents often use platforms such as Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and Tumblr to express themselves, share and build an online identity. There is enormous amount of research papers, articles and books that discussed the positive side of SNSs despite the dangerous consequences that it may cost. In this conference paper, we will discuss how teens are victims of sexual predators, distorted body image and cyberbullying as well as how SNSs is affecting youth mental health. In an article by San Murugesan he explains how web 2.0 is a “more dynamic and interactive than its predecessor, web 1.0, letting users both access content from a web site and contribute to it”. This paper discusses how SNSs are traps in disguise for teenagers through the opportunity of identity creation, communication and participation that it gives.
Keywords: SNSs, body dissatisfaction, cyberbullying, sexual predators
INTRODUCTION
Social networking sites are emerging, it helps users to stay connected with relatives and friends who are abroad or even just keeping in touch with everyone, it also helps to develop once identity and build new relationships. The rise of adolescents and children presence on social networking sites are raising concern and “in response, the internet industry has developed a range of consumer strategies and technical tools to minimize these risks, ranging from a straightforward attempt to ban children younger than 13 years old from using these sites, or in certain cases to design SNSs strictly for children, to the provision of safety tools such as privacy settings, ‘report abuse’ buttons, reactive content moderation services, management of default safety settings, and safety guidance for children and parents.” (Livingstone & Olafsson & Staksrud, 2013) strategies are being created as adolescents and children are being victim of SNSs. In this paper, I will discuss how SNSs are being used as a dating sites for sexual predators and paedophiles, how exposure to content published on SNSs can bring along body dissatisfaction, the effects of cyberbullying and the effects that SNSs have on the mental health of youngsters. My arguments are the main ideas of the dark side of SNSs for teenagers and the articles used in this conference paper are more focus on Australia but there are some that are worldwide. I will also present some counter arguments and limitations of the article.
Sexual Predators
Social networking sites are crowded of teenagers and children but also of sexual predators. In the year 2006 there was approximately fourteen million youths utilizing SNSs (Mitchell & Finkelhor & Jones & Wolak, 2009) and that is why this is now a commonplace for predators. Sexual predators, according to Levenson, Baker and Brannon (2007) are thirty-four percent relatives, fifty-nine percent acquaintances and twenty-seven percent strangers. Some of the online predators “contact victims using deception to cover up their age, gender and sexual intentions” (Mitchell & Finkelhor & Jones & Ybarra, 2008) which means teenagers are victims of, catfishing; the action of lying about your identity. It is easy to take up another identity on social media many times grown up men pretend to be a girl of thirteen and ask for inappropriate things. In an article Seto, (2009) explains that paedophilia is more likely to be frequent with male than female but still there are some few cases. There are various ways in which they prey on their victims, Rufo (2012) explores “The 10 P’s of the predation process” this process consist of “proficiency” which means that they are skilled, “prefer” they have a certain criteria so during the search process they focus on that, “puberty” searching for children that are not experienced but yet are very curious, “plan” this is the longest part it consists of analysing behaviours and use gratification, “patience” along with perseverance are used to have higher chance of having the trust of the victim, “praise” they express admiration and comfort, “persuasion” to lure the child, “privacy” where they try to meet in an isolated place, “pleasure” where they seek any kind of sexual contact and “power” which they exert over the victim for them not to disclose the truth. This process is also known as the online grooming. Sexual predators are often attracted to youngsters because they want to be idolized, want to feel powerful, are scare of engagement or the enjoyment of risky situations (Chan & McNiel & Binder, 2016). Similarly, to the biblical story of Adam and Eve, the mind of the offender is attracted to the forbidden and wooing younger partners make them feel as young while they can show the experience they have. There are different cases regarding the use of social networking sites to prompt minors to get engage into sexual interactions or improper talks. A real life example is ‘the murder of Carly Ryan’ in 2007. (Carly’s story, 2018). The victim was aged fifteen-year old and became ‘friend’ with her murderer who was a serial paedophile. Carly Ryan was the first victim of an online predator in Australia. Since then there are laws that have been implemented; the section 204B (2) of The Code punish “the use of ‘electronic communication’ with the intent to: procure a child they know or believe to be under the age of 16 years to engage in “sexual activity” or expose a child they know or believe to be under the age of 16 years to any “indecent matter”. Adolescents and children are at that time fully exposed not only to predators but also to content on SNSs that may develop body dissatisfaction.
Body Image
According to Lawler and Nixon (2009) teenage years are the most significant cycle where changes in the body occur and teenagers facing the exposure to the large amount of pictures allow them to do body comparisons. “Social networking sites are available for viewing content, creating and editing 24/7, on mobile devices, anywhere, anytime, allowing for exponentially more opportunities for social comparisons and dysfunctional surveillance of pictures of disliked body parts than were ever available with the conventional mass media.” (Perloff, 2014) Teenagers often compared themselves to images that have been altered by professionals. Instagram and Pinterest are the biggest image related social networking sites. “Instagram is an image-based social media platform, with over 80 million images uploaded to Instagram every day.” (Instagram, 2016). After exposition to these contents, they proceed in two ways in which this affect them; first, by internalization where they have set standards about what is the perfect body and try to replicate these standards (Lawler & Nixon, 2009), the second is comparisons where they compare themselves generally to mannequin and famous personalities (Fardouly & Pinkus & Vartanian, 2016). Teenagers hype “using applications and other editing devices, such as Photoshop, to alter selfies” (Makwama et al, 2018) to fit into a certain category. Using applications can affect the mental health while they post pictures and struggle to look as the edited pictures and cannot accept their real self which can lead to self-deception. On social networking sites many influencers and celebrities tend to project a ‘perfect’ body image while using photo editing applications. Teens tend to compare themselves to “popular socialites Kim and Khloe Kardashian” who have “utilized Photoshop to post edited selfies for their Instagram accounts” (Makwama et al, 2018). Many teenagers look upon them as models but they have had various surgery, professional make-up artists, personal dietician and nutritionist along with professional photographers who can enhance their pictures to their advantage. Teenagers resort to editing as a kind of cheating to be more like them, that illustrates the degree of non-acceptance of their bodies and the need of reshaping, covering, airbrushing along with other tools. Being exposed to these kinds of images is sometimes detrimental for teenagers. Content that social media projects can have dangerous mental effects, namely “low self-esteem, depression, perfectionism, internalization of the thinness ideal and centrality of appearance to self-worth” (Perloff, 2014). Social media presents a diet culture and teenagers normally fantasize about the body presented to them. Poor body images also have an effect on the mood of teenagers, they do not enjoy eating or can fall into over-eating thus obesity which brings along other diseases. Bulimia, anorexia and obesity do a lot more than only damaging the way the teenagers eat. These also damage the dental health, stomach, oesophagus, throat and other organs. Sometimes not fitting in a certain category can lead to cyberbullying.
Cyberbullying
According to Smith (2012) “cyberbullying can be defined as an aggressive act or behaviour by electronic means against a certain group or an individual repeatedly and over time online.” Bullying and online terrorisation can be toward race, sexual orientations, based on physical appearance. Hemphill and Heerde (2014) conducted a study among Australian youth and came to the result that “5.1 % of young people self-reported they cyberbullied, 5 % reported being bullied online only and 9.5 % reported both cyberbullying perpetration and being bullied”. According to Nocentini, Schultze-Krumbholz, Calmaestra and Ortega-Ruiz (2010) cyberbullying being one complex term also takes various forms, one is “flaming” which means that users send abusive messages due to fiery topics, “harassment”, “cyberstalking” referred when a user is repeatedly using messages to threaten someone or even look upon their activities, “impersonation” is when someone create a fake account using a user’s name and picture then causing harm to their image and “cyber threats” which is when someone voluntarily trying to harm a computer system. With the emergence of incognito message platforms like Ask.fr or Sarahah, there are even more bullies roaming online. SNSs are now giving various opportunities to bullies, the different features including accessibility to a large public, the bullies cannot perceive the victim’s emotions and there is a kind of anonymity (Gualdo & Durkin & Hunter & Sanchez, 2015). The action of cyberbullying comes with destructive consequences. Bullies, bully-victims and observer, will have aftereffect of this act. (Gradinger & Strohmeier & Spiel, 2013) Consequences may be emotionally, mentally or physically. Furthermore, victims and bullies have higher risk of getting into depression and to try to commit suicide or committing suicide. (Hinduja & Patchin, 2010) These research show that the action of bullying does not have an effect only on the victim but that the bullies are already in a bad state of mind for example there is a greater chance that they suffer from social isolation. There are various ways to avoid getting affected by cyberbullying; Woda Tim (2015) states there should be “open communication”, cyberbullying should not be a taboo parents should educate their children on the topic, also for children not to be bullies parents should be “teaching their children good citizenship” to know the values of others and to respect other, and last by “showing them how to use privacy setting”, children are more exposed on SNSs and most of time they do not how to protect themselves or their profiles so it is important that they parents explain it to them for security. Parents should keep in mind that cyberbullying can affect the mental health of children and adolescents.
Mental Health
According to The World Health Organization (WHO) there ten to twenty percent of children and adolescents who suffer from mental disorders worldwide. During adolescence there are different changes in someone, from their body to their way of being. This is the stage when they develop and create relationships. SNSs are playing are greater role in the socialisation and development of youngsters, how can this exposure be detrimental to their mental health? Non regulate exposure to social media can lead to “social comparisons which alongside rumination, leads to later depression” (Ferguson & Negy & Berryman, 2017). Adolescents are doing constant social and body comparisons on SNSs while “Instagram was ranked as the most negative platform in terms of sleep (quality and amount of sleep), body image (how respondents felt about their looks), and FoMO (the ‘‘fear of missing out,’’ or the fear that people are missing out by not being present in their various social circles).” (Wiederhold, 2018) Furthermore, Instagram allows users to display a fake persona of themselves which can be deceitful to themselves affecting the mental health. A high usage of SNSs can also lower loneliness, but in disguise it pushes users to internalise their problems. (Barry & Sidoti & Briggs & Reiter & Lindsey, 2017), SNSs pushes people to have a social isolation while they are socially active on networks. Social media allows users to connect but these same users cannot get along in a face to face conversation. Teenagers are using social media as an escapism, they try to drown their problems or everyday pressures online. Parents regulation should be important from the time they spent on the SNSs and to the content they are exposed to.
Forming and Preserve Relationships
Social Networking Sites can also be a positive impact on the lives of children and adolescents. There are various of features that SNSs allow us to use to bond with other, for example on Instagram, you can a live video when you are at a show, or record a video and post it on your story instantly anyone can react and send you a message link to your post. “Research shows that teens are mainly using social media to communicate with pre-existing offline friends and spend time together, make plans, discuss everyday issues and gossip.” (Weigle & Reid, 2014) Teenagers can spend time talking to their friends in the comfort of their home without going out and possibly putting themselves in further dangers. Video calling a friend is less investment than going out, and it is easier and can be done whenever. On online platforms users can also meet new people within a similar community and create a friendship based on the hobby they have in common.
Conclusion
Social Networking Sites will continue to evolve so teenagers and children will still be exposed to its negative aspects. It is near impossible to ban all sexual predators online as, as stated above most of them have a fake persona when flirting with minors, users will always compare themselves to pictures they see on SNSs being it adult or teenagers and bullies will always be around. However, SNSs are an important tool as it helps to build up relationships and even enhance those who are already existing. I wanted to have a focus paper on Australia but the articles were mostly broad so I had to try to put it in the context to have a good and relevant outcome.
References
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Hi MThomas,
Great strong title for your paper, it’s very catchy and made me want to read it!
I think you did a good job of highlighting some of the very dangerous aspects of Social Networking Sites as they relate to young people. There is definitely a need for an awareness of all of these dangers.
Like you have illustrated – in the case of online predators it is almost impossible to know for sure if a person is accurately representing themselves online – I look at identity deception in my paper (link below). You have provided some tips on how to mitigate the other dangers of SNS’s to young people (like parental settings and regulation and privacy settings) but do you think that these kinds of safety mechanisms are being developed fast enough to keep up with the development of new technologies and SNS’s?
Thanks,
Ces
Check out my paper:
https://networkconference.netstudies.org/2019Curtin/2019/04/30/linkedin-for-recruitment-no-thanks/
Hi CFitzgerald,
I strongly think that the privacy settings are a way for SNSs to protect their users but also a way to protect themselves – you know like no bad “advertisement” if ever something like that happened on their site and to make users feel more comfortable at using their site but definitely, it is not 100% secure and there is a lot that relies on the user.
Thank you for taking your time and reading my paper, I will surely check yours!
Hi,
This is a very interesting topic with strong arguments. I found it interesting that you explore different ways and the way these can be tackled. I liked the part of body comparison and body dissatisfaction, but don’t you think that it was still a thing during old media days?
Hi,
Thank you for reading and finding interest in my paper. Sure that these were a thing back then with models on billboards and in magazines but I really think that the exposure is more significant but there are still questions need to be raised about how much we want ourselves to be in contact with these contents by following pages and liking pictures.
Hello,
This is an interesting tropic, I like the way you have present your ideas. I am questioning myself on whether these are the only disadvantages?
But in general you have explored the topic well
Hello,
Thank you for reading my paper, definitely, these are not the only disadvantages but I choose to explore those as they are the main problems. I wanted to explore more but the word limit is a problem but I kept my focus on the important things according to my readings.
Hi MThomas,
What an interesting topic to pick for your paper. The title caught my eye, and due to SNS being such a huge part of my teenage years I wanted to read it instantly.
You really highlighted the key dangers that are associated with SNS, in particular how these dangers related to the youth.
You mention changing privacy settings and parents talking to their teenagers about privacy in order to avoid these dangers, however, there was no mention of how to remove the danger in the first place. For example, having to have a legal ID linked to an account could remove the dangers of pedophilia and bullying. Do you think it is more important to avoid the dangers or remove them? Or a combined approach even?
I look forward to hearing your response.
Thanks, Alice 🙂
My paper if you want to check it out: https://networkconference.netstudies.org/2019Curtin/2019/05/05/web-2-0-effect-on-societys-engagement-with-activism/#comments
Hi AMcAuliffe,
Thank you for reading my paper, yes, of course, now that you are saying that SNSs owners should implement these but I think that in any way those people may try to attain the sites. For example, A minor may use the credit card of his parents to buy things online so other people may bypass the laws by lying and providing others identity or even fake identity. So, I thought it would be better than teens would know about the dangers around. Prevention is better than cure but in an overall perspective, both combined would be even better.
Hello,
Your paper is very interesting! The part you had explore on sexual predators and body dissatisfaction is very deep and I think that you did a great job! You could have talked more about mental health and also how it could be detrimental for teenager’s education.
Hopefully I will hear from you!
Hello, Shannen,
Thank you for reading my paper. As you when writing my paper I found these two very interesting and there was a lot of readings about it. I would certainly like to go a little further and to explore how it would be detrimental for family life, education, socialization but the word limit was a problem and I wanted to focus on the most alarming topics concerning SNSs usage among teens and children. I wanted to deepen my thought and research on a narrow topic rather than doing various topics and little research.
Hi MThomas,
Again, just like what everyone else much, a very intriguing paper with several crucial issues being raised regarding social networks. As the current and future generations of young children and adolescents are progressively getting more exposed to these sites lies a greater potential for these issues to pop to a greater extent. As you point out in the child predators section, adults can easily catfish manipulate and groom young children/adolescence into engaging inappropriate via these means of communication. Even with Carly’s Law now incorporating adults who lie about their age, there can be various loopholes predators can a find a way that only they know to lure children. This coincides with the seemingly ever-growing sexualisation of young children on the internet, which in turn, adds to the issue.
Carly’s Law:
https://www.carlyryanfoundation.com/carlys-law
Hello Stephen Yan,
Of course, it depends on each and every situation. Each predator has their way of functioning and many issues can arise that every law will not be able to tackle. Thank you for your interest in my paper.
Hi MThomas,
Sorry for the late reply but as you said they will find a way around the laws regardless, and this is one just issue out of many for adolescents and young children. It is just about raising more and more awareness in schools regarding the issues you have pointed out and various others.
Hello,
Yes, schools and other concerned institutions should have a concern about the risks and inform children and teenagers.
Hi again,
I remember when I was in school (Graduated from high school in 2015), the main issues mainly revolved around cyberbullying from other students, stranger danger early on, before somewhat adding in issues like mental health and body image . However, as your paper has pointed out, the issues can be far more substantial than this. As confronting as issues like Carly’s case and serious mental health issues like depression are, I believe they should be discussed further more to reduce the likelihood of future tragedies occurring. This will at least lead to teens and children becoming more vigilant in their online use even if the examples petrify them.
Hi MThomas,
Your paper presents a very clear and strong argument, immediately evident in your great title.
I especially like how you addressed incognito messaging platforms such as Ask.fm and Sarahah. When these platforms were released, I must admit that I thought they were quite a backwards development, especially considering that social network sites such as Facebook have attempted to discourage anonymity through regulations which try to limit the creation of profiles under a fake name that cannot be matched to a drivers licence, for example. It also brings into question why we are so tempted by the idea of receiving anonymous feedback when we know it can foster forms of harassment and cyberbullying. Do you have any ideas as to why we allow ourselves to be judged anonymously? Do you think users embrace the opportunity to receive others’ opinions in order to improve themselves, or do you think users are just after a source of drama?
You explore the risk of sexual predators very thoroughly. I think it’s becoming increasingly difficult to recognise when users have these motives. As seen with the case of YouTuber Chris Ingham who allegedly sent inappropriate messages to some of his fans who were as young as 16, we never truly know who someone is or whether their online identity is an accurate representation of their true self, regardless of how much of their lives they share online.
It is truly mind blowing to think of all the risks we are exposed to when using SNSs, do you think that the cons of using SNSs will eventually overwhelm the positives? Or do you think it will mostly remain half and half?
Looking forward to your reply,
Thanks,
Devyn 😊
Feel free to read my paper, if you’d like!
https://networkconference.netstudies.org/2019Curtin/2019/05/05/active-now-how-web-2-0-allows-for-the-formation-of-online-communities-capable-of-initiating-change-through-activism/
Hi DRonaldson,
Thank you for reading my paper. I truly think that if serious measures are not taken, the cons will take over the pros. Teens and children are more and more exposed to content that is not suitable for them which definitely have an impact on their perception and behaviors. I think that letting a child learn from social media is a catastrophe, parents and other institutions have to take back that role before it is too late. I also think that social media will always form part of our lives now, so better to educate them on the topic, because letting a child using social networking sites without a good talk and warnings is equal to letting them out into a dark jungle without any means of survival.
Hi MThomas,
I found your title very catchy and strong. I had a great pleasure reading your conference; you have well analyzed and discussed about the effects of causing the downfall of teenagers and children. I also discussed some points that you highlighted in your paper such as mental health. Mental health is one of the first thing that is damaged with the negative effects of social media as our psycological state can be easily weakened. You have mention some counter arguments in your paper. Do you think that one day this downfall of the younger generations would stop?
Hello MSeechurn,
I honestly that it will not stop, but there is a way to decreasing the number of teenagers who fall into the trap. As you said the mental health of teenagers and children are damaged easily.
Thank you for reading my paper.
Hi MThomas,
I found your topic very interesting and you covered a number of aspects of the concerns of social networking very well.
In particular I think you address the topic of cyber bullying very well, and I agree with you point on creating an open conversation in regards to cyber bullying and the removal of any taboo or embarrassment of the topic.
This is a very important issue for many, and I think you addressed it very well.
Sophie
Hi Sophie,
Thank you very much for reading my paper, cyber-bullying is a very serious topic concerning social networking sites.
I wanted to explore it without jargons but yet deep enough.
Thank you again.
Hello,
I have been amazed reading your paper. The content was great and the title is very straight forward. I like how you explore multiple topics very clearly and was intrigued by how you explore the subject of sexual predators and also mental health. I also liked how every of the aspects you cite was related to mental health. I want to know however if the ‘solutions’ you mentionner for the problems will be effective.
Waiting for your response!
Hi Melissa,
Thank you for taking the time in reading my paper. I wanted to relate all the subtopics to the ‘mental health’ issue as every one of them has a psychological effect.
The solutions I mentioned may help, but it is not only that. I think that professionals should have an extensive debate on how to put those drawbacks out.
Hello,
Your topic is very interesting and I can say that you explore it in a way that your audience won’t have any difficulty to understand. You cite Rufo who explore so much about grooming. Do you think that every predator proceeds that way?
Hello Christo,
Thank you for reading my paper.
The citation from Rufo is indeed a very well researched and explored one as he has an entire book on the subject.
I do think that every predator has its own way of proceeding but the one I mention is the most used.
Hi MThomas,
I enjoyed reading your paper. The content and they way you address the topic was very interesting and well articulated. Its amazing how you address multiple topics, the facts that Adolescents often use platforms such as Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and Tumblr to express themselves, share and build an online identity is a very true statements, however it is also true that sharing too much about their feelings is not good. the fact that the social media platforms is not also a place for teenagers and children but also for sexual predators is very intriguing. It is very true that the amount of sexual predators online are far from being ban due to fake accounts. Do you think that the mentioned solutions will be effective? Do you think that parents also need to have a conversation with their teens and children in order to create awareness and to prevent them from getting trap in cyber-bullying as well as in the hand sexual predators(For instance, not accepting people that they don’t know online)?
Waiting for your response
Thanks
Varshanabye
Hello Varshanabye,
Thank you for reading my paper. I really think that the solutions I mentioned are effective but not on their own. As you say parents and other socializing institutions such as schools and families should have a concern about the topic and have serious talks about the subjects. Children and teenagers are more at risk in this digital era, so precautions must be taken. There are various features that can be used to protect our social media pages and some teens don’t even know how to fully make use of these.
They should have the ability to distinguish the good and bad, and also to protect themselves as they will be aware of the dangers.
I also think that the consequences should be underlined so that they know that they know that each of their actions is not without consequences.
Do you think there are better solutions for SNSs to protect their users?
Hi MThomas,
I really liked your paper as you have highlighted some interesting points. It’s true that social media is used to connect with people, communicate and share their views and opinion online. There is indeed a rise in users on social media especially teenagers. With this, there is also a rise in catfishing and cyberbullying; which leads to aggressive behaviors towards individuals. These behaviors might change badly both online and offline and which may affect people’s lives offline as well.
In addition, this social media leads to mental health as well, where individuals might suffer from depression and social isolation; and where they might have the tendency to suicide as well.
Your paper links to mine, as I have also written on cyberbullying, and mental health. Feel free to read mine if you are interested
https://networkconference.netstudies.org/2019Curtin/2019/05/05/the-risks-of-using-facebook/
Thank you
SPrayag
Hello!
Thank you for taking the time and read my paper.
Yes, all of this can affect the offline world and the relationships around that particular user. Noting that children and teenagers are still discovering themselves and building their own identity.
I will surely read your paper, the title seems very interesting.
Thank you.
Hi,
Your title is very interesting. I liked how you explored your subtopics, especially sexual predators and cyberbullying.
I have learned things that I personally did not knew before.
I think that the mental health part lacks a bit but it is very interesting.
Thank you for sharing with us.
Hello Vanessa,
Thanks to you for taking your time and reading my paper.
All of the subtopics mentioned were chosen based on the real-life cases around the world and also some are things that were already present in the offline world, but the technologies available right now made it even easier.
Hello,
As you suggested me to have a look at you paper, I did so!
I must admit you have written a very good paper and it was very interesting to read since you have stated various facts which I myself can relate to.
Adolescents tend to share a lot of stuffs on their social media profiles without actually realizing that these can lead them towards many negative issues like you mentioned cyber-bullying and mental health issues. Also, they spend most of their times on social networking sites. They tend to live a virtual life instead of being in the real world.
I would like you to also think about issues like for example they have the tendencies to be more attached to people they meet behind the screens rather than people of their surroundings. You can also reflect on physical health issues like poor eyesight due to too much concentration on the screen or obesity as they poorly do exercises and focus mostly on their mobile phones/PC.
Looking forward to have a response from you soon!
Thank you for having suggested me to read your paper,
Khuzaima
Hello Khuzaima,
Yes, of course, Social networking brings other disadvantages as you mentioned but I wanted to focus on things that could be directly linked to mental health and also to add up things that were already in the real world but how they are even more present now with social media.
For example, bullying has been around many years and years ago but with social networking sites, it is even easier to criticize behind a screen just as sexual predators and body image were also very common before the emergence of SNSs.
Hello! Your paper is very interesting ! Your title is catchy and a very good attention grabber ! Your focus on sexual Predators, cyberbullying and body image is very well explained and very related to this digital age.
Concerning body image do you think that some of the influencers should be more activist ? For body positivity ?
Looking forward to your reply!
Hello,
Thank you for reading my paper.
Of course, there is a lot of body positive activist online but not all influencers use their niche for empowerment. There are many others who are known to reflect a certain type of body image. For example, the Kardashians, are a huge group of influencers who have a huge fan-base and with children and teenagers following them and looking up to them as a model but these people have nutritionist/dietician/coach and surgeons so these people really work for their body and their body is somehow their way to win, so promoting diet teas and other things are more fit to their image.
Hi! Your paper paper is very well searched, and represented. I liked how you put an example of Carly, to help your audience understand more.
Knowing that teenagers and children sometimes disclose some information that should not be public without knowing this can cause themselves harm.
The linked to mental health is very good too, do you think that there’s a way this can be avoided in general?
Thank you for this good paper.
Hello Audrey,
Thank you for reading my paper, in general, I think that it all starts in the family. Parents should make a specific education based on social media.
Your paper is very interesting and your title caught me attention.
After reading your paper it made me to want to know more about the topic.
Your part about sexual predators is well researched, but I am questioning myself as even before social networking sites sexual predators/paedophiles existed and with no necessary measures they will still hurt more people, thus how do you think we can stop this on social networking sites?
Hi MThomas,
i am quite fond of your conference paper actually it is the direct title ‘Social Networking Sites are causing the downfall of adolescents and children’ which makes us come back to reality that this something which is actually occurring. When we talk about web 2.0 we have the habit i would be saying to view social media platforms as a boon ,however , objectivity prompts us to acknowledge the other side of the coin the prominent drawbacks present. I agree with your arguments that there is a rise in sexual predators, cyberbullying and mainly on how these adolescents and children are made at an early age feel uncomfortable in their own skin.
My query would be mostly how did you come up with this title is it through a personal experience ? And for instance i would like to know when you were an adolescent were you made to feel inferior and uncomfortable in your skin by viewing influencers flaunting their ideal body?
Hello,
I come with the title through personal experience, how I mentioned ‘Sarahah’ and ‘Ask.fr’, I was in my last high school year a victim of cyber-bullying through those platforms from my classmates. I was having anonymous messages and even death threats that I kept to myself. I am right now dealing with body dissatisfaction due to my weight so having exposure to the celebrities ‘ideal body’ is not helping.
Share with me your personal thoughts about the topic of ‘body image’ and social media.
Thank you for reading my paper.
Thanks for replying to my comment!!!
Well, to answer your question and to be honest i didn’t go through ‘body image crisis’. I personally think that’s because before i eventually join the social media platforms world, my parents guided me and explained to me to always question the authenticity present in the online world.Most of the girls and even boys at my high school felt more at more confident posting their pictures online as they got appreciation through Sarahah and through comments on their posts.
Don’t you agree that social networking sites has created a generation of ‘cowards’ who will hide behind a screen and send dead threats to individual? or do you think that has boosted their confidence more ?
A generation of cowards maybe not but a robot generation maybe yes. Most of the time when people go out to eat they wonder if their food is aesthetically presentable rather than delicious. And talking about the ‘coward part’ I think that it is easier for people to get violent or vulgar when they know they are in the comfort of their house, I mean they won’t behave in that way on the streets.
This makes me questions identity even more, do you think that many people projects someone that they are not online? Like they get to choose what they want people to know and what not?
Well, to answer your question MThomas , Web 2.0 has actually the opportunities to individuals to do as they like, personally there is no restriction implemented on them like stringent rules and regulations upon the creation and use of fake accounts for instance.
This is why this is active phenomenon of fake account which is currently on rise creating for me an identity crisis!! While trying to create an ideal or fake online identity they are losing their own in the process.
What are your thoughts on this matter which is on rise?
As you said DRamen, they are losing themselves in the process of creating a fake self but what is even more frustrating is when their environment does not work according to what they portray online. This will definitely resort to self-dissatisfaction and even mental issues like anxiety or depression.
That is why I linked each of my subtopics to mental health, do you think that SNSs will eventually lead to a fake society of pretends? or is the society will still preserve a little bit of its authenticity?
Hi MThomas,
I really enjoyed reading your paper, it was clearly straight forward and presented an interesting argument. Firstly, I appreciated the additional element of ‘key words’ at the start of your paper, I like how this both highlights and inter-relates to the main ideas throughout your discussion. I also particularly liked the idea of the dark side of SNS’s, as I have discovered that this area of academia and literature lacks in fundamental research and should be further explored.
In regards to the sexual predator’s segment, I found the statistics utilised both engaging and quite alarming. I should also mention, I found it quite interesting that you have used a Christian, biblical story of Adam and Eve to provide a metaphor and/ or relate their behaviours to pedophiles. I would be interested to know, why you chose to make this distinct connection between religion and pedophilia? Do you think there has been an increase in sexual abuse and exploitation of minors from peodophiles, as a result of the development of social networking sites? How do you think this has impacted the choices people make to publicly display personal information online? Moreover, I really liked the discussion segments on body image, cyberbullying and mental health. I think you raised some insightful and credible points, with good research and examples to substantiate those claims.
In addition, I completely agree with the issues raised within the cyber bullying segment. This really hit home for me, as I have been a person on the receiving end of cyber bullying when I was a teenager. It was mainly one individual male who persistently bullied and harassed me both in school, physically and verbally everyday for a year, and continued online. I found there was never really an escape, as the cyber bullying brought this abuse into my own home. Consequently, this impacted my own individual mental health throughout adolescence, as I have struggled with depression and anxiety for several years. It saddens me that this still happens, but I am so glad that you have addressed this issue, thank you for that.
In relation to the mental health section, you mention that teenagers use social media as a form of escapism. Do you think this could possibly be indicative of an addiction? A dopamine hit from perceived connectivity online? How do you think these issues that occur throughout the teenage years, will affect the same individual as an adolescent later in life? I also wonder are adolescents as susceptible to these issues you have discussed? Moreover, I am also aware that there is a loneliness epidemic in Australia, whereby people are suffering from social isolation and a lack of physical connection. Do you think this is a result of social networking sites? What does this mean for the future of sociality? Again, interested to know your thoughts.
Overall, this was a pleasure to read, great work!
Kind Regards,
Alexandra
Thank you very much, Alexandra.
I was pleased to read your comment and thank you for your feedback.
I choose Adam and Eve not to make a connection between pedophilia and religion, but to persist on the thought of ‘wanting what is forbidden’ for example you may tell a child to not eat a bar of chocolate but he will feel tempt only because he was told not to.
Personally, social networking sites have made it easier for pedophiles to get access to a bunch of minors without having to leave the comfort of their houses.
Before SNSs, predators should go around the streets and keep an eye on the ‘perfect time’ to act but now the minors are still secure in their homes but not in security at all and some parents do not have control over their children pages which is even better for the predators.
I have been a victim of online bullying during my high school years, on Sarahah, by my classmates. That’s why I wanted to write about it.
Social Networking Sites surely lead to social isolation, it is time spent in front of a screen without physical presence.
Hello there,
Your paper discusses a very important topic as online communcation technology has been around long enough now that children and adolescents are growing up with it as an essential part of life.
It was very fascinating to read over the issues and effects that this fundamental change in day to day life is having and will have on the future generations.
It is one of these difficult problems that is hard to address because the utility of these communication services and the fact that people will always find a way around restrictions and rules if they are really determined.
Great thought provoking paper.
Hi MThomas,
Your article was fascinating to read – and you raise numerous undeniably valid points that should continue to receive attention, in the hope of improving some of the disadvantages that come with social media. It’s unfortunate that I found your article so late in the conference, because it really offers an interesting counter-argument to mine. In my article, I discuss the ways social networking sites are beneficial to the cognitive development of adolescents (if you’re interested, have a read here: https://networkconference.netstudies.org/2019Curtin/2019/05/06/social-networking-sites-are-beneficial-to-the-cognitive-development-of-adolescents/ ).
I was thereby immediately attracted to your article, for the title ‘SNS are the downfall of adolescents’; the research in my article argues that they are not the complete downfall – and they can be beneficial on a cognitive level. However, in my paper I was very careful not to focus on the social and emotional development of adolescents, for – as you have demonstrated in your article – there are many ways adolescents are negatively impacted by SNS on a social and emotional level.
My first question is, to what extent do you believe that these negative impacts of SNS will decrease, due to further understanding of the harms involved? The current adolescents were born into a world unlike anything their parents could have imagined, and therefore although parents could offer general support – it was difficult for them to completely understand all of the issues and complexities involved as they had not experienced them themselves. Do you believe future generations will be better equipped to help their children through the harms involved, as they will be able to draw from personal experience? And – although I agree that it’s impossible for the authorities to completely combat all of the online crime/risks – do you believe that atleast having an increased awareness of these issues will support adolescents further?
Secondly, in my paper I discuss how social media is forcing adolescents to grapple with complex and abstract concepts such as identity, repercussions of decision-making, and also (after reading your article) I believe relationships, and social values involved in bullying/status/etc. Would you agree that although this makes the period of adolescents extremely difficult, as it accelerates their knowledge and understanding of who they are and what they value, (and their moral development), it could perhaps create more mature/wise/balanced young adults?
I think either way it would be interesting for future research to consider moral development of adolescents to combine both of our articles, and see how SNS has affected adolescents’ moral development.
Thanks so much again for your insightful article,
Miranda
Hi MThomas,
This is an interesting paper that you have.
I appreciate you raising the concern about sexual predators. It certainly is an issue that people need to be aware of! Even with your personal information required to create a social media account, people can just be so deceitful and went to a certain extent to create a fake yet legit profile to catfish others, especially teenagers who are in their development years.
I agree with what you said about how Online media would affect an individuals’ perception of their own body. The impact that social media have, one an individual’s self-worth, it’s crazy and harmful. It creates this expectation over people’s body image. Your body is not your own anymore, I think that’s the way to phrase it? Because of these expectations, people feel the need to comply and if they do not have the “normal” body image, they feel that they are inferior and not acceptable by the community, which would eventually affect their mental health. Good job in bringing that up!
Do you think that people actually know the risk of social media and looking at these “perfect” body images? Why do you think that they are so affected by these body images?
Cheers!