Positive, negative effects of social media on teens

Social media has both negative and positive effects on teens. Positively, it helps them in their academic studies, make them feel connected and stay in touch with friends and family. It also provides a lot of opportunities for teens to discover new information, learn about current events, make money and build networking skills.

Social media can be a source of inspiration, self-expression and a means for teenagers to develop social skills, helping them to provide confidentiality and promote exchange of ideas. It also has negative effects on youths which are pornography, peer influence and distraction from formal studies.

They also use the internet to harass, threaten, embarrass or target victims. It can also lead to improper sleeping due to spending too much time on the internet.

It is important that parents and guardians teach their children by setting daily limits on social media use, following their accounts, monitoring their online activities and to also learn about the apps they are using.

• Olawunmi Arowolo is on internship in Tribune

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