Impact of social media on the future of childhood

“SOCIAL MEDIAAND THE
FUTURE OF CHILDHOOD”
Apparjit Chauhan, Girishkumar Solanki
Nureen Qureshi - Amin, Ratna Khullar

INDEX
 Introduction
 Social media
 Types of social media
 Impact of social media
 Statistics
 Health issues
 Potential harmful effects
 Potential benefits
 Positive social consequences
 Lifestyle modification
 Identity status and power
 Recommendation
 Conclusion

INTRODUCTION
 Media technologies (TV, video, games, internet, music, mobile
phones) have brought about a substantial change in the experience
of childhood in our society
 These changes leave many parents unprepared for the challenge
on how to regulate their child’s time with such technologies
 It has become increasingly important to monitor the impact of
media on the future of childhood
 In the next 20 years it will become impossible to break the
attachment between the teen and screen

SOCIAL MEDIA
Definition:
1. Social Media are the platforms that enable the interactive web by
engaging users to participate in, comment on and create content
as means of communicating with their social graph, other users
and the public. (Cohen, 2011)

TYPES OF SOCIAL MEDIA
'Interactive Media' (Definition):
 A method of communication in which the program's outputs
depend on the user's inputs, and the user's inputs in turn affect the
program's outputs, e.g. digital and electronic devices, software,
multi-touch tablets, app, video games and interactive (nonlinear)
screen-based media: Face book, My Space, Gaming sites, virtual
worlds such as club penguin, blogs, video sites such as YouTube

TYPES OF SOCIAL MEDIA
Noninteractive Multimedia (Definition):
 Noninteractive media does not provide an interactive experience.
These include the content electronic devices which would not
alter, such as songs, movies, and photographs, as well as online
content that can not be modified, such as news articles, online
videos, and banner advertisements.
 It includes certain television programs, DVDs, CDs and streaming
media now available on variety of screens
(Fredman, 2013)

IMPACT OF SOCIAL MEDIA
There are three broad ways in which electronic media can impact,
child development and wellbeing:
 In terms of the impact of its content
 In terms of the impact of interactive activity
 In terms of other activities which it replaces

IMPACT OF SOCIAL MEDIA
 Because of their limited capacity for self-regulation and
susceptibility to peer pressure, children and adolescents are at
some risk as they navigate and experiment with social media

STATISTICS
 At 2 years more than 90% of all American children have an online
history
 At 5 more than 50% regularly interact with a computer or tablet
device
 At 7 or 8 many children regularly play video games
 Teenagers text an average of 3,400 times a month
 By middle school children spend more time with media than with
their parents or teachers or other activities

STATISTICS
 Fifty-four percent of teens send text messages, and one third of
teens send more than 100 text messages per day.
 The total amount of media use by youth ages 8 to 18 averages 6-
plus hours a day—more than any other activity.
 Many use instant messaging while doing homework and listening
to music on an mp3 player, for example).

HEALTH ISSUES
 Media psychology is now an official sub-specialty in the field of
psychology
 Magnetic Resonance Imaging
(MRI) results reveal how
addiction to social media is
affecting the brain and
behavior of children
 Recent studies validate
the reality of Internet
Addiction Disorder (IAD)
(People's Daily Online, 2009)

HEALTH ISSUES
 Attention spans are decreasing because of exposure to excessively
stimulating and fast-paced media
 Research reveals
relationship between
exposure to media
stimulation and Attention
Deficit Disorder (ADD)
(Yadvichuk, 2012)

HEALTH ISSUES
Increased exposure to media may result in:
 Psychological disorders: Stress, depression, and anxiety
 Eating disorders: Bulimia and anorexia
 Physical health and development disorders: Visual, neurological
and physical changes e.g. sleep disorders, epilepsy, awkward
postures

POTENTIAL HARMFUL EFFECTS
Violence:
Children who watch more violence on the media are more
likely to:
 Become emotionally desensitised to violence
 Avoid taking action on behalf of a victim when violence occurs
 Believe that violence is inevitable
 Believe that violence is an acceptable way of solving conflict
 Believe that world is a violent place, leading to greater anxiety,
self-protective behaviours and mistrust of others
 Use violence themselves

(Walsh, n.d.)

 Social Media is influencing people to stay in and stay online
versus going out and being social and doing anything physical.
 More aggressive behavior
 More aggressive thoughts
 More angry feelings
 Less empathy
 Fewer helping behaviors
 Increases in fear

Obesity
Extended use of media will results in:
 Reduced activity because of what they
are not doing whilst they are interacting
with the media
 Increased food and calorie consumption
(that may be influenced by advertising
or result from “snacking”) (Healthline Networks,
Inc, 2013)

Harmful substances
 Media exposes children to harmful substances e.g. alcohol,
tobacco, marijuana, heroin, cocaine
(Guardian News and Media Limited (2013)

Sexual behaviour:
 Potentially harmful messages about sex in the media may lead to
unhealthy sexual behaviour
 Children and teenagers tend to consider media as the primary
source of information about sex
Sexual solicitation:
 In future media may provide easy access to the sexual offenders to
target children

Suicide:
 Reporting and portrayal of
suicide in media may
increase the incidence
of suicides in children
(Pinkney, 2012)

Crime:
 Media-assisted crimes
like identity theft and
child pornography are
taking new forms and
may influence security
of future children
(Birch, 2012)

Cyber bullying:
 Cyber bullying is a growing phenomenon in virtual
communication environments
 Technology has given it a new platform of action at a faster speed
involving a number of people at the same time
(Rohan7things, 2013)

 Future of children is at a greater risk of cyber bullying.
 Cyber bullying can result in anxiety, depression, low self-esteem,
school failure and other stress-related disorders and even suicide
 There appears to be very little that the law, technology, schools or
parents can do to stop it

POTENTIAL BENEFITS
 Educational programs delivered through media will benefit
children’s knowledge and academic abilities
 Well designed programs will engage children in thinking, creating,
problem solving, questioning, critiquing, communicating and
making connections
 Online virtual classrooms will assist students to view teachers and
listen and learn from lectures on YouTube, in their own time.

POTENTIAL BENEFITS
 The use of Social media networks will help youth get higher level
of education,choose better career paths, and build personal
relationships.
 Build a strong network of business relations stay connected in
“real time” (Online LinkedIn Profile – Recommendations,
Reference, Internal Job Postings)

POTENTIAL BENEFITS
 Will allow children to interact with more thought and give more
time to respond e.g. text or Facebook messages
 Video games involving information, academic content and
problem-solving will accelerate children’s learning
 Lead to improvement in IQs due to advances in media assisted
learning and interactive game playing
 Technology will help in developing children’s skills and abilities

POSITIVE SOCIAL CONSEQUENCES
 Enhanced ability to connect with others and form positive
relationship with peers
 Children will develop a sense of friendliness, sharing, cooperation,
sympathy, and acceptance from different groups
 Increased understanding of the world and positive social
behaviours

LIFESTYLE MODIFICATIONS
 Reversal of roles: children with rich knowledge of media and
technology will become teachers for their parents.
 Social isolation: increased use of media leading to decreased
interaction
 Increased use of online learning programs and decreased
institutional learning but better connectivity as depicted in this
video link (From PCs in school to online schooling)

WEBCAST
Technology and Interactive Media as Tools in Early Childhood
Program Serving Children from Birth through Age 8.
The webcast outlines:
 Limitations
 Implications for teachers
 Definition of technology and media
 Recommendations
(Daniel, 2012)

IMPACT OF SOCIAL MEDIA ON THE FUTURE
OF CHILDHOOD
 In this video link Dr. Weiner explores the effects of social media
on children. She also discusses the various pros and cons of social
media and the extent to which children have become dependent
upon them in their everyday lives. It is a really helpful video for
the parents.

IDENTITY, STATUS AND POWER
Definition:
 Identity is “the state or fact of remaining the same one or ones, as
under varying aspects or conditions”
Dictionary.com

IDENTITY, STATUS AND POWER
 Online explosion of social media has lead to creation and
manipulation of multiple on line virtual identities
 Self fabricated identities may be multifaceted, splintered,
concocted, unexpected, ambiguous, distorted, misrepresented and
deceptive
 Identity theft may become one of the biggest dangers for the future
child
 Reputation is the cornerstone of identity but reputations may be
damaged by self exhibition or shaming
(Fraser & Dutta, 2008)

RECOMMENDATIONS
 Select, use, integrate, and evaluate technology and interactive
media in intentional and developmentally appropriate ways
 Focus on the appropriateness and the quality of the engagement
 Provide a balance of activities in programs for young children
 Understand the limits of technology

RECOMMENDATIONS
 Advocate and monitor content of media
 Include media in parent education
 Provide parents with the resources and information to promote
media awareness
 Express support for good media
 Encourage parents to monitor the use of media by their children

RECOMMENDATIONS
 Parents should assess their child's activities on social networking
sites, and discuss removing inappropriate content or connections
to people who appear problematic
 Parents also need to pay attention to the online trends and the
latest technologies, websites and applications children are using

CONCLUSION
 Media studies, media and culture, media and communications
psychology, are central to the early 21st century world.
 Legislation, educational efforts and norms are required that reflect
21st-century realities to maximize the opportunities and minimize
the risks for kids, to give them the safe, healthy childhood and
adolescence they deserve

CONCLUSION
 The issue of identity portability is a question that remains open
and unresolved
 New knowledge is emerging. We presently know a lot more than
we understand. As responsible parents and citizens, we must "pay
attention“ to the future of childhood

BIBILIOGRAPHY FOR IMAGES
Birch, S. (2012). International Private Investigators & Global
Background Checks. Retrieved from
http://globalinvestigations.blogspot.com/2012/04/how-to-spot-
most-common-identity-theft.html
Guardian News and Media Limited (2013). The UN drugs report
2011: what's happening to cocaine and heroin use? Retrieved
from http://www.guardian.co.uk/news/datablog/2011/jun/24/un-
drugs-report-afghanistan
Healthline Networks, Inc. (2013). Healthline Blogs.Retrieved from
http://www.healthline.com/health-blogs/healthline-
connects/social-media-to-combat-childhood-obesity-120312

Johnson, C. (2010). Reality TV and Its Effect. Retrieved from
http://threalityofrealitytv.blogspot.ca/
Pinkney, E. (2012). Student mental health: minding the gap.
Retrieved from http://www.guardian.co.uk/higher-education-
network/blog/2012/dec/05/student-mental-health-university-
responsibility
People's Daily Online. (2009). Help our children! 10 million Chinese
minors troubled by Internet addiction. Retrieved from
http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/90001/90782/6702472.html

Rohan7things. (2013). How To Get Rid of a Bully or Psychopath!
Retrieved from
http://rohan7things.wordpress.com/2013/02/17/how-to- get-rid-
of-a-bully-or-psychopath/
Stevens, J., E. (2012). The Adverse Childhood Experiences Study --
the Largest Public Health Study You Never Heard Of, Part Three.
Retrieved from http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jane-ellen-
stevens/the-adverse-childhood-exp_7_b_1944199.html
Walsh, D. (n.d.).Video Game Violence and Public Policy. Retrieved
from http://culturalpolicy.uchicago.edu/papers/2001-video-
games/walsh.html

Yadvichuk, T. (2012). KitKat: have a break from social media.
Retrieved from http://www.searchcowboys.com/socialmedia/1881

ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY
Austin, H. (2013). BLOG: How social media can positively impact educational
processes. Retrieved from http://www.milliganstampede.com/2013/04/19/blog-
how-social-media-can-positively-impact-educational-processes/
The author talks about how teachers can use media in the classroom by creating
online, virtual classrooms with the use of video. Online classrooms are
especially beneficial to students who find it difficult to pay attention in the
classrooms with all of the distractions.
Chamberlain, J. (2011). Facebook: friend or foe? American Psychological
Association. 42(9). 66. retrieved from
http://www.apa.org/monitor/2011/10/facebook.aspx
This article is about kids getting negatively affected by overusing different
social media outlets. The author also talks about parenting styles and rules
instructed of when to use Social Media for their children to control the usage
and not over use it.

Clinton,C.& Steyer, J.P. (2012). Is the internet hurting children? Retrieved from
http://www.cnn.com/2012/05/21/opinion/clinton-steyer-internet-kids
James P Steyer is the CEO and Chelsea Clinton is a board member of Common
Sense Media, a nonprofit advocacy organization focused on media. They state
that the explosive growth of social media, smartphones and digital devices is
transforming our kids' lives, in school and at home with various statistical data.
“From PC’s in school to online schooling”. In this video Athena Jones reports
on the going trend of online education and its impact on students.
Cohen, H. (2011). 30 Social media definitions. Retrieved from
http://heidicohen.com/social-media-definition/
According to the author, as social media continues to evolve and its uses change
and expand, so does the definition of social media. Cohen surveyed active
participants of social media and got a wide range of responses. Based upon this
survey the author has come up with 30 definitions of social media.

Common sense media. (2012). Social media, social life: how teens view their
digital lives . Retrieved from
http://www.commonsensemedia.org/research/social-media-social-life/key-
finding-2%3A-teens-more-likely-to-report-positive-impact--
This article emphasizes the impact of Social media on the emotional well being
of teens. Some of the key points in the article are about teens and how they
don't think their use of social media affects their social and emotional well-
being one way or the other. With conducting a variety of surveys it represents
the belief that teens believe that there is more of a positive impact of social
media use on their emotional well-being than a negative one.

Donohue, C. (2012). Intentional and appropriate use of technology tools and
interactive media: The NAEYC and The Fred Rogers Center Position
Statement. Retrieved from http://www.eetcconference.org/wp-
content/uploads/Use_of_Tech_Tools_and_Interactive_Media.pdf
This article by Donohue stresses that technology and interactive media are tools
that can promote effective learning and development but only when they are
used intentionally and appropriately to suit the learning needs of individual
children. This is only possible when educators have the required information
and resources regarding the nature of these tools and the implications of their
use with children.

Fraser, M & Dutta, S. (2008). Throwing Sheep in the Boardroom: How Online
Social Networking Will Transform Your Life, Work and World. Retrieved
from http://library.books24x7.com.library.sheridanc.on.ca/assetviewer.aspx?boo
kid=29493&chunkid=472561837&rowid=420
This book illustrates the concept of social media and how online social
networking will transform your life, work and world
Fredman, J. (2013). Definition of noninteractive multimedia. Retrieved from
http://www.ehow.com/info_12211830_definition-noninteractive-
multimedia.html
According to the author, noninteractive media are those in which the content
cannot be altered or modified like songs, movies and photographs.

Gordon, S. (2011). Social media has good and bad effects on kids: Experts.
Retrieved from http://health.usnews.com/health-news/family-health/childrens-
health/articles/2011/03/28/social-media-has-good-and-bad-effects-on-kids-
experts
This article is about the ups and downs of Social media usage amongst Youth
and the advantages and disadvantages in their personal and school life. The
article is about Social media and how it allows the Youth to connect with their
peers and have a personal space of their own. It talks about the Parent’s role
and how they should stay interactive and connected with their children so that
they can monitor their Social Media activities. It continues to discuss severe
side effects of Social Media including Cyber bullying and “Face book
Depression”.
INVESTOPEDIA. (2013). Interactive media. Retrieved from
http://www.investopedia.com/terms/i/interactive-media.asp
This website defines and explains the meaning of interactive media.

Luskin, B. (2012). The media psychology effect. Retrieved from
http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/the-media-psychology-
effect/201203/brain-behavior-and-media
The author of this article Bernard Luskin is member of the Board of the Media
Psychology Division of the American Psychological Association. In this article
he illustrates the effect of media on brain, behaviour and psychology using MRI
studies. He also tells about the positive and negative effects of media.
National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) & Fred
Rogers Center for Early Learning and Children’s Media. (2012). Technology
and interactive media as tools in early childhood programs serving children
from birth through age 8. Retrieved from
http://www.naeyc.org/files/naeyc/file/positions/PS_technology_WEB2.pdf
This article by NAEYC and Fred Roger Center reflects the ever changing
digital age and provides guidance for early childhood educators about the use of
technology and interactive media. With guidance the various technology tools
can be harnessed for learning and development. Without guidance their use can
be inappropriate and interfere with learning and development.

Paediatr Child Health. (2003). Impact of media use on child and youth. Paedriatic and Child
Health, 8 (5), 301-306. Retrieved from
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2792691/
This article explores the beneficial and harmful effects of media on children’s physical
and mental health. It also identifies how physicians can guide the families to promote the
healthy use of media. The recommendations section of this journal article highlights very
clearly that parents need to monitor and supervise the children when they are using the
media.
Pilieci, V. (2012). “Is social media harming our mental health, researchers wonder?”
Retrieved from http://news.nationalpost.com/2012/03/25/is-social-media-harming-our-
mental-health-researchers-wonder/
This article discusses the mental health state of children who are influenced by Social
Media outlets. The youth are using Social Media as a platform for socializing, social
updates, educational purposes, connecting with peers and gaining popularity amongst
peers. The researchers believe Social media can be healthy until it takes control of our
lives.

Pitman,S.(2008).The impact of media technologies on child development and
wellbeing. Retrieved from
http://www.ozchild.org.au/userfiles/docs/ozchild/research-
papers/ImpactOfElectronicMedia.pdf
In this article Susan Pitman, Senior research officer Oz child, relates the
different ways media can impact the growth and development of children as
well as its potential benefits and harmful effects.
Schurgin, G., & Clarke-Pearson, K. (2011). The impact of social media on
children,adolescents, and families. Pediatrics, 127 (4), 800-804. Retrieved
from http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/127/4/800.full
The pediatrics in this journal article stress that it is important for parents to
become aware of the nature of the social media sites as all of them are not
healthy environments for children. Some parents often lack a basic
understanding that kids’ online lives are an extension of their offline lives. The
article also throws light on the benefits and risks faced by children using social
media.

Weiner, A. (2009). Effects of social media on children. Is social media affecting
our….Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kb4ZS_t4hzQ
In this video Dr. Weiner explores the effects of social media on our children.
She also discusses the various pros and cons of social media and the extent to
which children have become dependent upon them in their everyday lives. It is
a really helpful video for the parents

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