The virtual world is well anchored in the real one. By combining social and individual needs, it can satisfy our need to relate and increase our self-esteem. In fact, this is where the fabulous success of the social networks Facebook or Twitter came from.
The extent of the phenomenon of virtual communication through social media has to some extent transformed the life of the current generation. Many teenagers spend all their free time in front of the Internet.
And while virtual friends multiply, those in real life decrease. Studies by specialists show that teenagers and children who are fans of social networks get poorer results in learning and are even more susceptible to diseases.
Communication with parents is important
One of the reasons why teenagers take refuge in the world of socialization is the lack of communication with their parents. A friendly relationship, the foundation of which is laid early, can help the teenager to make smart choices in the online world, not only in real life. The dangers appear when the teenager confesses to strangers, becoming vulnerable in front of dubious people.
Is addictive
Social networks fulfill real communication and manifestation needs, which can lead to addiction – especially among teenagers who are not yet fully able to organize and manage their various daily activities.
They often end up wasting a lot of time in the virtual space, thus distancing themselves more and more from the real world. What teenagers do not know is that the networks, used in excess, do not solve real relationship problems, but on the contrary, they isolate and accentuate dependence.
Instead of “working” to build lasting friendships with people with whom to have experiences and memories, to go, for example, to pizza, to the movies, to the match or to the bike, they end up spending all their time in front of the computer losing, in fact, social skills.
When parents see addiction in a child, things must be taken seriously by acting immediately and trying to bring the junior back as soon as possible to socialize in the real world through: sports, group vacations, trips, camps.
– Explain why too much information about one’s personal life is excessive and dangerous exposure.
– Talk to them clearly and openly about pornography and pedophiles, about virtual crime which, according to experts, is constantly increasing and about the fact that thieves and kidnappers are also present on social networks!
– Tell him that the activity on the networks can also have unpleasant consequences and that we need to be aware of the disadvantages in order not to become victims of dangerous users! Regardless of the security measures that network administrators take, the best method of protection still remains the personal one.
