Adolescence and Internet Use Essay Example

the internet, with 80% using SANS. Although the intention behind these networking sites is generally positive, they also pose risks to vulnerable and immature individuals, particularly within the teenage age group.

According to Google Ad Planner's United States Demographic Data 2010, the average age distribution on social networking sites should be taken into account when assessing how teenagers adapt and handle their interactions in this new social medium. It is noteworthy that even middle school students, with a percentage of 94.7%, have used social networking sites (SANS) and about 72.4% have reported encountering unwanted behavior directed towards them on their social networking profile (Element 10).

This paper aims to explore the hazards that social networking presents to young individuals, who are particularly vulnerable to social influences and peer pressure. It will specifically address the dangers associated with sharing personal information on social networking sites (SANS), the prevalence of online bullying (Weber-bullying), the presence of online predators, and breaches of privacy. The objective is to assess the impact of these issues on teenagers and suggest preventive and corrective actions. According to "A Parent's Guide," 28% of teenagers admit they would be uncertain about dealing with online harassment or bullying (4).

The purpose of exploring teenagers' experiences with privacy and exposure to online cruelty is to improve protocols for social sites, ensuring safer use for these users. This paper focuses on the dangers faced by teenagers on SANS sites, excluding other risks less prevalent in this age group. It presents current facts and numbers to highlight the risks adolescents face when using SANS and suggests measures society can take to enhance their security on these sites.

THE SOCIAL NETWORKING PHENOMENON

Social networking platforms are web-based services that allow users to create public or semi-public profiles, connect with other users, and navigate their connections within the system. In simpler terms, these sites provide users with an online identity and the chance to interact with others on the platform.

This also replicates real-life situations by facilitating social interaction and enabling individuals to connect and "meet" strangers. This would be otherwise impossible in the physical world. The origin and evolution of social networking began with the popularity of the internet, as people sought a convenient and fast method to share information with their friends and acquaintances like Emily (Kennedy & Mack). Although there were pre-existing services for communication and interaction, the demand for a platform that could cater to a larger audience and mimic society led to the emergence of social networking sites (SANS).

The popularity of these sites increased significantly as entrepreneurs began utilizing them for business promotion. This expansion of social media was primarily driven by Backbone, which initially started as a college networking site but quickly grew to become a global social networking platform with 800 million active members. The site's popularity also soared among teenagers, and its development was fueled by advertisements ("A Parent's Guide" 4).

Social Networking is a popular platform that offers various features such as personal profiles with multimedia content, games, quizzes, and applications. It also allows users to freely express their thoughts on different topics, while friends in their network can comment, share insights, and participate in discussions. The information shared by SANS users about themselves can be seen by their network or the general public

depending on privacy settings (Figure 2).

The public display of SANS is a vital and appealing aspect because humans are naturally social and have a desire to engage and connect with others. These websites have become a cultural phenomenon as they provide a platform for this, and much more. In addition to facilitating communication, these sites also foster various other activities, such as conducting business, making transactions, entertaining oneself, reconnecting with old acquaintances, and meeting new people. Figure 3 illustrates the purposes for which users use SANS.

Figure 2: What Users Reveal About Themselves on Source: Smith teal 12

Figure 3: How Social Networking Sites Are Used Source: Smith et al 7

Encouraging Participation For an online community, content is very important. That is why SANS aggressively encourage their users to share information regarding themselves, for without content discourse would not be possible since there are no intersecting points and opinions and hence no social interaction (Social Networks Research Report 20). Also, to stand out in social sites, users must have some unique information that they can share that can be the talk of the cyber society.

Hence, it serves as a fertile ground for exchanging contentious and scandalous subjects as they are highly captivating themes or comparable topics that can stimulate conversation and interaction among users, whether positive or negative.

DANGERS AND RISKS FOR ADOLESCENTS

Figure 4 depicts the risks and problems linked to the use of SANS as identified by students. In the upcoming sections, these risks will be appropriately classified and defined. The risks or problems associated with SANS include cyber bullying, which is a highly significant concern for

users.

The act of using the internet or familiar technology to intentionally harm or embarrass another person by sending or posting text and/or images is known as cyberbullying ("A Parent's Guide 12). Since these platforms primarily center around sharing personal information and spreading gossip quickly and extensively, users can easily become victims. While cyberbullying may not cause physical harm to the victim, its emotional and psychological impacts can be devastating and may lead to depression or even suicide (Hindu & Patching, 2010). It is concerning that American teenagers aged 12-17 are experiencing issues regarding online bullying (Hall).

Invasion of privacy and security are prevalent issues in both the virtual and real world. Even on platforms like SANS, which contain personal information and encourage social interaction, privacy concerns arise. According to Passbooks' privacy policy, Backbone aims to facilitate information sharing among friends and network connections while giving users control over restricting access from third parties. Through Backbone, users can choose the information they share with friends and connections outside their networks.

Our network architecture and privacy settings enable you to make informed choices regarding the accessibility of your information. We refrain from revealing contact details to third-party marketers unless you provide consent. Your information is exclusively shared with select third parties under specific circumstances that we deem essential.

1. reasonably necessary to offer the service,
2. legally required or,
3. permitted by you (Backbone).

Although this statement may seem all-encompassing and infallible, it is important for users to be cautious because the default privacy settings allow the entire public to access a person's profile and other information.

Third parties can

easily access and exploit users' profiles for malicious purposes. Additionally, the ability to share real-time location puts users at risk of robbery or kidnapping incidents as it exposes them when they are most vulnerable. The substantial amount of personal information in unsecured user profiles poses a serious threat by allowing unauthorized individuals to easily access and impersonate someone's identity.

Social networking sites often encourage users to regularly update and modify their profiles. This can involve adding personal information such as real names, nicknames used with close friends, closest friends, interests, home address, frequently visited places, phone numbers, family and relationship information, among other things. According to Nines & Solutes (2005), Backbone users share various personal details on their profiles including photos, contact details, movie preferences, and book preferences. Unfortunately, this readily available information can be exploited by imposters who may impersonate users and gain unauthorized access.

A study conducted by Swart et al. discovered that SANS user profiles accurately reflect users' true identity in real life. The study also revealed a change in the way users express themselves over time, as demonstrated in Figure 5. This research suggests that the internet, specifically through SANS, has brought about significant transformation and revolutionized socializing and communication methods, potentially leading to anti-social behavior offline.

Excessive exposure to digital distractions through the use of technology can lead to limited face-to-face interaction and unsociable behavior. Although it allows for connections with individuals who are not physically present, it can also negatively impact relationships with those in direct contact, ultimately resulting in isolation. Moreover, constantly being bombarded with updates and tweets from others may create a false sense of being informed,

causing users to overlook significant events happening in their personal lives.

According to a study, 1 out of every 7 SANS users feel that using SANS makes them more isolated. Additionally, nearly 70% of users reported seeing posts from people close to them that appeared to be a cry for emotional help. While most students would provide some form of support, less than half would actually visit the person in person (Katmandu News Network). Online predators are criminals who specifically target teenagers in order to manipulate them into meeting for sexual purposes ("A Parent's Guide").

The predators employ tactics such as deceit, blackmail, and guilt to develop trust with their victims and gain their emotional dependence. They gradually create closer relationships with the victims and eventually convince them to meet in person. Additionally, these predators may also use the information shared by teenagers to locate and target their victims.

WHAT THE SCHOOL CAN DO

It should be acknowledged that while SANS may have negative aspects for the development of adolescents, it is crucial to recognize that they are also enhancing their social and technological skills through these sites.

It is naive to believe that we should eliminate SANS as it is a significant social mechanism and an integral part of our modern world. Like any other threat, understanding the nature of the dangers and recognizing the potential sources and signs can help us avoid them. The school, as a primary center for education, is already prepared for this responsibility. The following pages of the paper will outline the actions that the school can and should take to enhance security measures.

To address these threats,

a possible solution is to include SANS awareness in the curriculum. It is essential to educate users, particularly teenagers, about the information and risks related to SANS (Swart et al 78). This education enables teenagers to be cautious and vigilant when using such websites. To accomplish this objective, educational activities should be customized for teenagers. Moreover, it is important for teenagers to understand the legal repercussions of utilizing these sites. Incorporating this knowledge into the school curriculum is vital as it prepares students for real-life situations and tackles a societal issue.

It should be understood that social networking, despite being online, should not be limited to computer classes and should not be ignored. Just as values education is prioritized in the curriculum, a platform should be provided for students to interact, socialize, and practice these values. While it may be difficult to monitor their online activities, the school should at least teach guidelines for social networking behavior and etiquette.

According to Swart et al. (84), students should be educated about privacy, confidentiality, defamation, and copyright laws to avoid unintentional violations. The school can accomplish this by utilizing its existing resources rather than making major changes or extravagant budgets. One approach is integrating Social Networking Awareness campaigns into homeroom and values education classes. To ensure the success of these campaigns, the school guidance counselor, who oversees students' social and personal well-being, should actively organize activities and symposiums.

In order to counteract the negative effects of SANS on problematic teenagers, the school should improve its programs to foster a harmonious atmosphere for students. This is because certain issues found in SANS, like bullying and anti-social behavior, are

exacerbated in real life. Engaging with the teenagers in SANS could also be a strategy employed by the school to mitigate the risks associated with SANS. Despite appearing perplexing, this approach is actually rational.

SANS allows the school to closely monitor the online activities of students by encouraging teachers to utilize it for their classes. Teachers can create a Backbone group for their subject, enabling them to monitor student interaction. This involvement of the teacher, acting as an adult control, allows for monitoring and also provides students with a social network where they have an adult figure with the authority to provide discipline or assistance.

This is a powerful control in a situation where there was previously little adult intervention and guidance. It is a strategic move to address the threats that SANS faces due to lack of monitoring and security. The school should involve parents in the awareness campaign through PTA meetings, encouraging them to take action to protect their children in this scenario.

Parents are responsible for safeguarding their children from threats and dangers, including those related to the internet such as SANS. They play a crucial role in protecting their children from the negative consequences of SANS. If parents are not aware of their influence in this matter, the school should emphasize their importance, as most SANS activities take place at home. One way parents can be involved is by monitoring their child's internet activities and discussing them together ("A Parent's Guide" 8).

Parents should establish boundaries and guidelines for their child's online behavior, emphasizing the importance of caution when interacting with unknown individuals. Children must understand that social networking platforms, though

virtual in nature, present dangers similar to those encountered in physical social situations. They should be encouraged to promptly inform their parents about any suspicious or uncomfortable encounters while using these websites. Furthermore, parents should restrict their children's exposure and time spent on these sites to mitigate potential risks.

The school should prioritize raising awareness among its students, which can be easily achieved through existing curriculum. The next steps involve teachers engaging in social networking and parents joining the awareness campaign. By actively involving parents and engaging in conversations with the school board, improved school policies and activities can be developed.

The author of this paper does not claim exclusive control over the necessary measures to eliminate these threats. However, by involving parents and the entire local community, it is possible to initiate a movement that will create more effective methods of safeguarding the future generation from SANS.

CONCLUSION

The welfare and safety of users on social networking sites are at risk due to potential threats. Teenagers and young adults, being emotionally unstable and immature, are particularly vulnerable as they are the main targets for many of these dangers.

Given the importance of raising awareness about social networking threats, it is crucial to involve schools in spreading information and awareness to teenagers. By encouraging conversations among parents and teachers, a unified approach can be developed to address the risks associated with social networking. These actions have the potential to create significant changes in the local community and even on a national scale, ultimately fostering a safe social networking environment for all.

Works Cited

1. "A Parent's Guide to Social Networking Sites".