What are the Real Dangers in Social Media

The world is on social media these days! Well … maybe not everyone, but overwhelming numbers of people interact on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and others. There has been much talk about some of the dangers our kids are facing (not to mention adults, too).


One of the most prominent dangers inherent in social media is what is now coined as cyberbullying. Kids talk and show more than they should … probably many adults do, too. After all, some of us (we will ignore our age) did not grow up with social media and must learn what often turns out to be the hard way … trial and error. Lots of error.


Bullies have an improved platform for their cruel activities. As we know by reading headlines, some teens have tragically decided to end their lives due to bullying, online and in person. This is something that needs to be changed … now.


Lots of kids post pictures of themselves and use their real names and addresses. This makes them an easy target for predators. We know this is true, too … we hear the news stories of abducted kids who are lured into predators’ traps.


Speaking of “tweens,” their brains, particularly the frontal cortex, are not mature enough to manage the many distractions and lures that social media provides.


So, who needs to do something about this? The first line of defense must be parents and other caretakers. However, the owners and managers of social media platforms can also be held responsible for making it more difficult for our young ones to be inappropriate.


This is a hot, relevant topic for the health and wellness industry. What will YOU do about it?!
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