Essay

Keziah Ikomi

Wednesday, November 6th 2024

The Right Age for Social Media Use

        As social media continues to shape our modern world, there's been a continuous debate between parents, educators and even policy-makers on the appropriate age for children to have access to social media. While many campaign for children to have unrestricted access to social media at an early age, I argue that children should have restricted access to social media at age 16 and gain full access at age 18. I state this because of the risks like exposure to harmful content, privacy threats, and mental health challenges. Children under 16 may lack the skills to handle such complex situations. 

     According to (Twenge et al. 498), excessive social media use can be linked to an increase in anxiety, depression among adolescents. Another concern of the early use of social media is the exposure to explicit content that children are not mentally prepared for. Although social media is beneficial for communication and socialization, it also heightens the risk of cyberbullying and can  open doors for harassment of all kinds and unhealthy peer pressure. 

          Furthermore, physical interactions and relationships are vital in the development of children which early and excessive access to social media can hinder. (Holt-Lunstad et al. 124) 

Social media can also  slow down the cognitive development of a child and also distract children and adolescents from their academic pursuits. Delaying access to social media until a child is 16 can reduce these risks.  

         In conclusion, considering the numerous harm social media can cause to a child’s mental health, safety, and cognitive development, I firmly believe that children should not have access to social media until they are 16 years of age or older and mature enough to navigate the complexities of the social media terrains. By enforcing such age restrictions, society can protect children and adolescents from potential harm and danger. 

Works Cited

Twenge, J. M., et al. "Increases in Depressive Symptoms, Suicide-Related Outcomes, and Suicide Rates Among U.S. Adolescents After 2010 and Links to Technology." Journal of Adolescent Health, vol. 63, no. 4, 2018, pp. 467-473.

Holt-Lunstad, J., et al. "Social Relationships and Mortality Risk: A Meta-analytic Review." PLoS Medicine, vol. 7, no. 7, 2010, pp. 124-131.