Social media has revolutionized the way young women interact with the world. Whether connecting with friends, participating in political discussions, or even finding love, social media has completely changed the lives of many young women. But does social media have a dark side? Unfortunately, the answer is yes. There are some serious adverse effects for young women who spend a lot of time online. As the mom of 2 teenage girls, what’s happening on social media is always the topic of discussion.
Below are the main issues I have:
The pressure for young women to look perfect and fit a certain standard of beauty is unbelievable. In which can devastate their self-esteem. A girl’s connection with her peers is key in helping her develop into an independent woman. However, if these connections are based on superficial things like how pretty she looks or how much weight she has lost, it can lead to eating disorders and depression.
It can be difficult for parents to help their daughters avoid the harmful effects of social media in reference to body image. One way is to encourage them to get involved in activities that don’t involve using a screen. Eric and I are lucky in this respect. Liya is an equestrian and spends lots of time at the barn riding horses. However, that doesn’t mean we’ve escaped negative body image altogether.
Talking with the girls about the dangers of comparing themselves with others is also essential. It’s okay for them to be aware of what other people look like and what they’re doing. But it shouldn’t affect their self-esteem or body image, although this is easier said than done.
Social media can cause young women severe mental health problems such as anxiety and depression.
I am aware of these risks and have taken steps to protect their mental health. And that is by limiting exposure to social media and teaching them the proper etiquette for using it. In addition, Apple has a tool that allows me to modify how much time is spent on each app.
Conforming to society’s definition of beauty can be harmful. Girls are taught from a young age that their looks are important. We are taught that our looks matter more than anything else, which has led many women to buy into the idea that they need to look good to be taken seriously.
Every time you turn on the television or open a magazine, there are advertisements telling women how they can make themselves more attractive by using specific products. The same thing happens for men, but in different ways. Men are shown images of women who have been Photoshopped and airbrushed to look perfect are everywhere. This teaches people—specifically young boys and girls—that appearances matter more than anything else.
You may be aware that social media has many adverse effects on young women, but you might need to figure out what to do about it. Thankfully, there are plenty of ways to protect our girls from the potentially harmful effects of social media:
• Set limits on how much time she can spend on her device each day and enforce these rules with consequences for failure to comply.
• Teach social media etiquette. Girls must learn proper etiquette, so they don’t accidentally alienate friends or make themselves vulnerable to cyberbullying.
• Protect your daughter’s self-esteem. A girl who feels confident will be more resistant to pressures from bullies online. So keep an eye out for signs of anxiety or depression and seek help if necessary!
Social media has many benefits for young women. First, it can be used as a tool for empowerment and self-expression, which can help young women gain confidence in themselves at an early age. It can be an educational tool to help people find friends or know what is happening around them. The problem is that we need to teach young women about these positive aspects before they start using social media, so they don’t fall into the negative traps that come with it.
How do you educate the young women in your life about the perils of social media?
You might wanna read: The Positive Effects of Social Media, Instagram vs. Reality
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