The Value of Social Media Age Restrictions

Signing up for a social media account is simple to do, but hard to get out of. Not having yet developed the traits of responsibility and initiative, it is acceptable to say children are not quite ready to be on social media. In the article “The Importance of Social Media Age Restrictions” it mentions “At around age twelve biologically, most kids have not developed enough robust cognitive functions for impulse control or ethical thinking.” This meaning that children have not yet identified what is appropriate to post and what is not. Therefore, age restrictions should be enabled on social media because it becomes dangerous for a child, it isolates children from their friends and family, and whatever you post on social media stays there for life.

Opening up an account could also be opening up access too harassers, predators, and cyberbullying. At such a young age it is very difficult to handle such situations which could easily be avoided in the first place. Although social media may open up several opportunities, it is more likely to endure the baggage than the success. In the article “The Importance of Social Media Age Restrictions” it mentions ‘A study by knowthenet.org.uk found that 59% of children have used a social network by the age of ten.” On the right sites at the right times children may even encounter a business opportunity, but when used in the wrong way social media becomes dangerous. It is difficult to watch children continuously being predisposed to such harmful sites.

Besides all of the negatives that come with social media, it can also heavily isolate children. In the article “Five Ways Social Media Can be Good For Teens”, the author states “although American teens have fewer friends than their historical counterparts, they are less lonely than teens in past decades.” It’s true that even with social media involved, millenials are currently less lonely than before. However, at such a young age children have not yet distinguished the trait of responsibility causing them to rely on their accounts and notifications. As a result of social media children are now turning to a screen instead of turning to a person.

With the unreliability of children they are most likely incapable of acknowledging that whatever is posted on social media never goes away. In the article “Social Media: It’s Out There Forever” Scott Harvey says ‘Quit acting like you can have private conversations on the Internet, because you can’t.” Others believe that with one swipe whatever you sent is gone forever, but that is sadly not the truth. Every message, picture, video etc. you have ever sent is copied and stored in a server that no one has access to. In fact, according to Harvey he states ‘Within five minutes, I can have almost every snap you have ever sent or received,’ You could easily avoid your child growing up under the spotlight by just applying age restrictions.

Overall, social media age restrictions can shape the way a child thinks. By protecting such fragile minds from the negatives of social media accounts you could potentially save a child’s life. Not to mention giving the children of this generation the social life and privacy they deserve. Adding responsibility on top of all the stress a kid is already going through could only result in detrimental effects. If you’re so worried about how your child will cope without social media interactions there is always other options. Taking initiative over your child’s time periods and other online accounts will only benefit them later on.

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