How social networks affect children

Recent observations have shown that adolescents and young people who spend too much time on social networks, many parameters of mental development reminiscent of-year-olds. Recognizing the undeniable benefits of social networks, scientists see in them a threat, calling on users to increasingly practice digital detox.

  • GENERATION OF THREE-YEAR-OLDS
  • LOW SELF-ESTEEM AND SOCIAL NETWORKS
  • TO EQUATE THE GADGETS TO SMOKE
  • DIGITAL DETOX: TO SAVE THE KIDNAPPED BRAIN

Generation of three-year-olds

The famous English scientist, writer, member of the house of lords, Baroness Susan Adele Greenfield recently told the publication The Daily Telegraph about the negative impact of social networks on mental health of children. Scientist warns that social networking and video games are shaping a generation of children with mental and emotional maturity of a three year old child.

Our observations and studies show that because of social networking and video games children are losing the ability to think for themselves. They are not able to empathize, but many have difficulty in communicating with each other. Social networks teach children to instant gratification in their leisure. This behavior is similar to a three-year old children who need to be constantly distracted. Such children have serious problems with concentration, and they have relatively low level of internal thinking process. We can safely say that fascination with social networking and video games make children ready to go to unnecessary risk. Such children have identity issues and they have poorly developed social skills.

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Susan Adele Greenfield is a British scientist, writer and member of the house of Lords. Specializiruetsya in the field of neurophysiology. At different times participated in studies of Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease. Until 2010, Baroness Greenfield was the Director of the Royal institution of great Britain.

In 1998 he received the prize from Michael Faraday. In 2000 awarded the Order of the British Empire for his enormous contribution to the popularization of science.

Low self-esteem and social networks

Susan Greenfield notes that in children and adults who are experiencing addiction to social networks, often low self-esteem. Moreover, such people are prone to depression

But why is this happening? Why does a person who communicates in social networks, upload photos and share their emotions in the network has such problems?

The fact is that life is real and virtual is different. You are unlikely yourself to be photographed in the morning, just waking up, and expose it to the network. No, you will clean up, do a few dozen shots and, certainly, will choose the best. You’ll also add photo effects, smooth out all the rough edges and show yourself in the best light.

That’s how the logic of social networks that people show all the best. The user may simply give the impression that everything is living the perfect life are traveling, eating delicious food, beautiful dress up and enjoy life. So there is a false perception of reality, which decreases self-esteem.

To equate the gadgets to smoke

Baroness Greenfield says that children need to engage in such activities that has a beginning and an end. For example, reading books or sports. The Internet, with all its positive aspects, boundless Child with labile psyche is immersed in this information morass, and get out of it. So there is dependence on the Internet and social networks.

Children, who from morning to night surfing the Internet, have problems with imagination. It is difficult for them to adapt to the world around them, they can’t focus their attention not subjects or phenomena. It becomes harder to understand the world.

Based on the data of their research, and research fellow Susan Greenfield supported the idea of introducing special legislation that would oblige the social network and the producers of computer games to protect children from the harm that they themselves pose.

I’m sure that most people have simply rebelled against gadgets and information technology, if fully learned how to actually manipulate them. I’m trying to convey to parents that important information. If modern parents are aware of the risks posed by technology, then they would forbid their children to use them, as well as Smoking.

Digital detox: to save the kidnapped brain

Columnist For The Wall Street Journal, Jeffrie. Fowler devoted a lot of time in order to understand how social networks are addictive. First and foremost, the journalist wanted to solve the problem of addiction and then help others to overcome cravings with social networks.

The person who mindlessly scrolls through a ribbon of a social network, Fowler likened to a laboratory rat.

Lab rats habitual movements press the button or lever, expecting to get some kind of treat. So the user scrolls through the ribbon every time includes your smartphone, hoping to see there something new. And suddenly someone mentions me? And suddenly Donald trump wrote something on Twitter? What if someone liked my photo? So we develop in laboratory animals who are constantly updating the pages in the hope to get the same treat in the form of likes and news in the friends list on.

A neuroscientist from the University of California Adam Gazzoli strongly recommends practicing digital diet a digital detox. The scientist advises to disable notifications, use as little messengers, and to carry out the work, if possible, with disabled Internet or on computers and gadgets of the old generation that do not support connection with social networks. So you will not be distracted by little things and will be able to concentrate on work.

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