IndexChildren and essay outline on social mediaIntroductionPositive effects of social media on children and adolescentsNegative effects of social media on children and adolescentsConclusionExample essay on children and social mediaWorks CitedChildren and essay outline on social mediaIntroductionThe changing nature of social media and its impact on communicationThe importance of understanding the effects of social media on children and adolescentsPositive effects of social media on children and adolescentsCreative expression and information sharingLearning opportunities and support for school-related activitiesInteraction social, connecting with peers and overcoming shyness Sharing interests and hobbies Seeking support and advice Engaging in social and political causes Negative effects of social media on children and adolescents Impact on mental health, including depression and anxiety Narcissism, antisocial behavior and aggression Cyberbullying and its consequences Online sexual predators and privacy issuesInfluence of advertising and spending habitsAcademic performance and moderation in social media useConclusionThe need for awareness and balanced use of social media by children and adolescentsRecognition of both positive and negative effects for informed decision makingSample essay on children and social mediaSocial media is evolving rapidly before our eyes and it is almost impossible to refuse and hide from this new form of media. Not only is it an important part of socializing within peer groups, but it is now used to market and motivate people to become part of a larger community. It is undeniably changing the way we communicate and the way we find and share information. Most websites offer communication through the use of Facebook, Myspace, Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn, and many different blog formats. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay With new apps on smartphones and photography and video made digital, media can be created, edited and shared quickly and once it is in this new digital cloud it is no longer yours. Through these new technological advancements you can share things about yourself with the world and before social media you would have to communicate and share physically. These social media sites offer teens new ways to access communication and entertainment, and the long-term effects are still unknown. For this reason, it is imperative that parents are more aware of these new media and what they offer, for better or worse, to our children. Five aspects of using social media: few restrictions on creative expression, easy way to share information. informal support for the work of others general understanding and respect for others' forms of expression an alternative way of socializing (Chau, 2010) Positive effects of social media on children and adolescents: there are many ways in which social media can be used by young people in a positive way. It's not just a way to socialize; children and adolescents can be creative, interact and learn (Chau, 2010). Social networking provides an alternative way to engage students in learning in a new and previously unconventional medium (Rosen, 2011). It can also help with “homework and group projects” (Clark-Pearson, O'Keeffe, 2011). While social media isn't just used for social interaction, it is an important aspect of teen life. Social media provides them with an avenue to stay connected to their peersmet at school, on sports teams, at church, etc. (Ito, 2008). Social networks can also help shy adolescents have a less threatening way of interacting with peers because they do not interact face-to-face (Rosen, 2011). It also provides an opportunity for adolescents to connect with others who share a similar interest (Ito, 2008). Social media sites can provide a place for teens to share their interests in art, music, games, and blogs with others (Clark-Pearson, O'Keeffe, 2011). The teenage years can be a difficult time, and social networks can be places that adolescents can turn to for support and advice when going through difficult experiences (Nielsen, 2009). . Adolescents who use Facebook have been shown to demonstrate greater “virtual empathy” (Rosen, 2011). Social networking can be a positive and somewhat easier way for adolescents to get to know and accept others from “different backgrounds” (Clark-Pearson, O'Keeffe, 2011). In addition to providing social support, social media sites can also provide medical support. Adolescents can seek medical advice easily and anonymously (Clark-Pearson, O'Keeffe, 2011). Children and adolescents are capable of making an amazing impact on their communities and even the world. Social media offers them a variety of ways to make positive changes. Some examples are the implementation of fundraising campaigns and involvement in "political events" (Clark-Pearson, O'Keeffe, 2011). Negative effects of social media on children and adolescents: Although there are many positive aspects of social media, the negative effects on numerous children and adolescents too. Social media can affect the mental health of teenagers. According to research, the level of effect appears to increase as adolescent use increases. Their level of satisfaction may decrease and their likelihood of getting into trouble or depression may increase (Rideout, 2010). Furthermore, adolescents who use Facebook tend to be more narcissistic, antisocial, and aggressive (Rosen, 2011). Many forms of cyberbullying are also a problem and can lead victims to experience depression and anxiety. Cyberbullying has also been the cause of many suicides among young people (Kowalski, 2009). It's bad enough that there are teenagers who are victims of negative comments from peers, but many are also victims of strangers. Many young online users are attracted to online sexual predators (Ybarra, 2007). As adolescents and their parents are concerned about the risks mentioned above, more and more adolescents are concerned about privacy issues (Youn, 2009). One privacy issue is that many adolescents are unaware of the privacy policies of the social media sites they use (Cox, 2007). Please note: this is just an example. Get a custom paper from our expert writers now. Customize EssayMany teenagers are influenced by the powerful advertising they see on social media sites and this strongly influences their purchasing habits. Many of them are unaware that they are being targeted individually because the sites track their habits and demographics. These young people and their parents need to be aware of how they are being targeted so they can make smarter choices about their spending habits (Clark-Pearson, O'Keeffe, 2011). As with almost everything, social media should be used in moderation. Studies have shown that teenagers and even college students who use Facebook too much have lower grades (Rosen, 2011). Works Cited Chau, C. (2010). YouTube as culture