Credit: Special Arrangement
Yes:
First, let me define what is social media. Social media encompasses websites and applications that enable users to create and share content or to participate in social networking. You can connect with others, and find groups of people that have similar interests.
I have two reasons why kids should be allowed on social media. The first being, social media not only includes entertainment but also informational platforms such as news channels. Let’s take YouTube for one. YouTube has content that is both fun and educational. You’ll find plenty of video explanations about a wide variety of subjects. You can learn a lot from these videos.
My second reason is quite particular. Many kids around the world are shy and don’t really interact with their peers in real life. But social media helps them connect with like-minded people and make friends. It also provides them with entertainment that makes them feel happy.
Therefore, I would like to conclude that kids should be allowed on social media, but, with parental restrictions.
Samanvi Elsa Menezes, 12
Bengaluru, Karnataka
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No:
No, never! Parents throughout the world are battling with the problem of rising social media addiction among children. At an age when their brains are still developing, social media exposes children to inappropriate and potentially harmful content. This has a negative impact on their academic performance and mental, psychological, and physical health, impeding their overall development as a responsible and healthy future citizen. Children are readily drawn to the glitzy life on social media because of their high inquisitiveness and lack of awareness. Several behavioural issues emerge and become deeply ingrained in them over time, including a loss of interest in studies and social interactions, a sedentary lifestyle, increased aggression and procrastination, disobedience to teachers and parents, unrealistic life expectations, a loss of self-esteem, an inability to accept defeats and failures, among others. Excessive social media use combined with uncontrolled use of digital devices might result in visual and hearing issues. Despite a broad list of negative consequences, limiting children’s social media usage has become extremely difficult. Schools, parents, social media companies, and governments have to work together on this delicate issue.
Niharika Laddha, 16
Hyderabad, Telangana