3 Social Media Apps Tweens Must Avoid
Ah, the advent of social media changed the way people connect forever. Between 2005 and 2008, MySpace was all the rage with its diary-like attributes. However, it was the juggernaut Facebook that redefined communication through better features – groups, pages, chats, and more.
Nearly two decades have passed since its inception, and it seems like even this platform has received some tough competition. Today, app developers are introducing such virtual networking capabilities that people of all ages (especially the younger demographics) are addicted to social media.
The New York Times published a report which found that children as young as eight are engrossed in their parents’ phones, running social media apps. There has been a whopping 17% increase in social media usage among tweens (ages 9-12) in the past two years.
Is your child also a part of this statistic? If yes, it’s time to put a stop to at least those social media platforms famous for all the wrong reasons. In this article, we will discuss three social networking sites tweens should not be using. Alternatively, we will talk about apps that pose no major threats (albeit when used moderately).
We’ll keep this list in the order of the social media platform’s level of risk. Accordingly, Instagram is the first platform that tweens must not have access to. Even adults need to use this social app with much caution.
Back in 2017, it was rated the worst social media platform as far as mental health is concerned. This is because it allows people to share ‘curated’ versions of their lives through pictures, videos, and short reels. Also, the app’s algorithms are designed to indefinitely feed the user with enticing content.
It is not uncommon to find young people spending hours just scrolling mindlessly through their Instagram feeds. Besides wasted time, this platform promotes unhealthy comparisons, dissatisfaction with one’s ordinary life, and anxiety.
Children may begin questioning their identity and experience body image issues at the age of chasing after dragonflies. The situation is so dire that an Instagram mental health lawsuit exists across Federal courts. This litigation is filed by over 33 US states to protect children’s mental health.
According to TorHoerman Law, individuals and loved ones are filing a lawsuit against Meta for issues like depression, body dysmorphia, eating and mood disorders, and self-harm. Are app developers aware of the effects on young users? Yes, and it’s a classic case of preying on the innocent for profits.
Your child is better off without the dark shadow of Instagram casting over their life.
Snapchat
Closely following Instagram, Snapchat ranks second among the worst social media platforms. The primary reason why this app is dangerous is because it promotes FOMO or the fear of missing out. Users often complain of feeling like their peers are enjoying life while they are struggling.
This dissatisfaction leads to issues like depression and anxiety over time. Then, there are questionable features on the app. For instance – ‘disappearing’ messages are a tempting feature for youngsters to exchange compromising photos of themselves.
Also, the Snapmap feature makes it possible to share real-time locations with other users, which is scary. Tweens run the risk of oversharing and engaging in conversations with predators. The Snapstreaks feature is more like gamification on the app, which can easily turn into an addiction.
Finally, Snapchat’s filters are incredible but unrealistic. If your child clicks pictures using those, they may form unreasonable expectations for their appearance and fall into depression. With all the said issues, is Snapchat worth it? Not even for an adult, let alone a pre-adolescent!
TikTok
The ideation that led to the development of TikTok is a benign one. This social media app was supposed to allow users to express themselves through short videos. There are plenty of ways to do so – comedy, dancing, lip-syncing, singing, and more.
It may have started well, but things quickly spiraled downward as trolling and cyberbullying became commonplace on this platform. Keep in mind that this social app has around one billion active monthly users. Your child will be putting themselves up for public scrutiny.
It’s possible that some of their videos may not be funny or successful enough. What originally started as a means to celebrate others has now become a means to tease and ridicule. Unfriendly remarks from strangers can severely impact your child’s self-esteem.
Also, their privacy is at risk as they display their lives in front of people from all parts of the world. Encourage your child to employ their creative faculties, but don’t let TikTok be their outlet. Sometimes, doing certain things for an audience of a few or simply for the joy of it is completely fine.
Social Media Platforms Safe Enough for Tweens
In the above-mentioned top three apps to avoid, we have not included Facebook. It is primarily because of this social platform’s stagnancy owing to its recent counterparts. However, as far as safety is concerned, Facebook is not recommended for tweens.
They are young and full of vigor to explore all aspects of a site. It could easily lead to an addiction to the app. Furthermore, Facebook allows its users to share real-time data (location) through stories along with personal info like phone numbers, addresses, etc.
Children that young are often unsuspecting and may overshare out of excitement. They may also add strangers and engage in risky conversations. Such hassles can be avoided by introducing them to healthier alternatives like Spotlite, PopJam, GromSocial, and YouTube (with some caution).
The former three can be used to join communities, chat, and watch safe child-friendly content. However, YouTube can be used safely with parental control that only displays inoffensive videos. When done right, these social platforms will allow kids to remain kids by meeting them at their level.
Children will view and share age-appropriate stuff instead of catching depression due to filtered versions of beauty, lifestyles, and relationships. One question that often arises among parents is the right age to start using social media (even healthier platforms).
Most of these sites have a minimum age requirement of 10 years. Sadly, busy schedules and overworked lives have led parents to offer unfettered access to their youngsters.
This explains why those as young as eight are exploring such platforms without screen controls. As per the clinical psychologist, Dr Mitch Prinstein, even 13 is an exceptionally young age for social media access. This may have to do with smartphone usage, which in excess can adversely impact a child’s brain development.
Parents must protect their children for as long as possible, with a minimum bar of 16 years. Even then, it’s important to ensure that the teen is mature enough to understand the repercussions of excessive usage.
For instance – watching YouTube videos six hours a day will affect academia, lead to sleep deprivation, and breed procrastination.
Parting Thoughts
If we are to go by the experts’ advice, tweens cannot be allowed to use social media at all. This should not be a bad thing since most do not need to. It is often an attempt to imitate their peers or innocent curiosity that pushes them to explore.
As a parent, you have all authority to restrict and regulate your child’s online behavior. If your discretion leads you to forbid them from using social media, keep your smartphone out of their reach. Encourage them to participate in real-world fun and games.
If you choose to offer limited access, you must have a household plan for social media usage. For instance – do not permit your children more than an hour a day to watch YouTube videos. Also, install screen control apps to ensure your child does not accidentally land on the wrong site or page.
Finally, engage in meaningful conversations about toxic social media exposure. Your children must practice good judgment someday; this may be the foundation for that necessary developmental process.
