Preferable age for Social Media

In-person communication has decreased to some extent now. People have found their own ways to entertain themselves and distract themselves. Digital technology is ruling the world. Social media is the emerging digital marketplace and entertainment platform.

Social media has undeniably become a necessity in this era. The germs of social media have spread drastically throughout the world. Many people claim that, in this modern period, there should not be any restrictions on children in order to let them reach their full potential and have some sort of real-time exposure. But there is a specific appropriate age suggested legally for young children that specifies when they should use social media. Bower mentioned in his article that, “It is necessary that parents restrict their children from using social media until at least 13 years old” (Bower).

Social media can be beneficial as well as harmful depending on the user’s approach. Everyone knows that there are apparently two kinds of people: the good and the bad. Good people take advantage of it and in return help others in a positive way, whereas bad people misuse it and cause destruction. If we talk about the benefits of social media then, definitely it is true that it has made life easier for both children and adults, especially during the covid-19 pandemic, with many social platforms allowing homework and classes to be taken online. But where there are highlights, there are challenges as well. The advanced era of broad thinking has led to a dangerous level for teenagers.

When children are exposed to social media before the appropriate age, it may lead to their minds becoming corrupted, insecure, depressed, cyberbullying, fear of missing out (FOMO), addicted to sexual content, and having a magnetic attraction to the opposite gender. There are many people on social media who claim to be “Influencers” but actually, they are corrupting the minds of young children by making memes and spreading an inappropriate sense of humor. Especially, the minds of young boys have been manipulated against women’s rights these days while young girls are also being manipulated too and admitting false statements, all due to social media.

The upbringing of children depends to some extent on their parents, which shapes their future and personality. It is the parent’s duty to keep an eye on their children, especially when they are young adults. It is not possible to hand over smartphones, laptops, and tablets before at least 13 years of age and expect them not to use the internet without permission. They are growing, and that phase is full of curiosity. Curiosity is the most complex emotion found in young children, particularly when they are forbidden to access certain things by their parents. Parents should focus on raising their children in a well-balanced way so that they do not lose their potential or the right way, no matter the cost. Suciu mentioned that: “Various parents are allowing children to use social media platforms like YouTube, Instagram, and Tiktok before the age of 13 in order to support their aspirations of being a gamer or content creator” (Suciu).

It is considered mandatory that children under the age of 13 should be restricted from participating in social media, whether as entertainers or viewers. Ultimately, the decision of when to allow someone to start using social media should be based on individual maturity, readiness, and parental guidance. It's crucial to educate young users about online safety, privacy settings, and responsible digital citizenship regardless of the age at which they begin using social media. Ultimately, it's crucial to prioritize the well-being and safety of individuals when determining the appropriate age for social media use, considering both the platform's age restrictions and the individual's readiness for online interactions.