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Abstract
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Introduction
The rapid rise of the Internet and use of social media poses a new and significant threat to the wellbeing of children. Even in an otherwise safe environment, such as the home, young people can quickly gain access to images, videos, and stories that may be psychologically and emotionally harmful. Social media, in particular, present a number of dangers that were not faced by earlier generations, including cyber bullying, cyber predation, and the posting of private information by children that may prove damaging to them both immediately and in the future. Ninety per cent of teens who participate in social media have ignored bullying they have witnessed, and one third have been victims of cyber bullying themselves. Young people may also be especially vulnerable to 'phishing' (the use of emails that try to trick people to click on malicious links or attachments), falling for scams, and accidentally downloading malicious software.
Statements of the Problem
The pace at which the Internet has evolved and, particularly, the use of social media platforms, such as Instagram, Snapchat, Facebook and so on, has been dramatic over the past decade or so. The proportion of time that children spend engaged daily in online activities has risen steeply. Researchers, educationalists, and policy makers often struggle to keep up with these developments, especially in regard to the effect that social media and exposure to imagery, which can be of an extremely violent or sexual nature, has on young minds. Entirely new forms of risk have arisen for children, which society must attempt to address and overcome.
Study Aim
The aim of this study is examine the academic literature that has been published on the psychological and social risks to young people, up the age of about 18, of exposure to the Internet and social media. It will summarise the findings in terms of the risks in various categories and then discuss these findings
Language: en |