Social Media Addiction in Children

DISCLAIMER!
*This thread is just my personal thoughts, from seeing the daily situation, so please apologize if there are mistakes, and there is no intention of patronizing or being pretentious
*This thread is a translation of my local board https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=5502386.msg64304124#msg64304124

Surely we have often seen, a child sitting quietly while holding a gadget, whether it's at home, at a restaurant, at a bus stop, or other public places. I often see a small family in a restaurant, where the Parents are busy to eat and talking while the child is left alone with the gadget. Whether he is playing games, watching videos, or just looking at random content on social media.

Based on one study, more than 87% of children in Indonesia have been introduced to social media before the age of 13. And there are about 92% of children from lower-income families, knowing social media even earlier.

source : https://mediaindonesia.com/

In this digital era, social media has become an integral part of everyday life, including for children. While social media can provide benefits in terms of connectivity and education, But there's no denying that social media addiction can have a serious impact, especially on children's development.

As long as the child is quiet and calm, it is not a big problem. But over time it will become a habit / become an addiction in the long run,
some of the negative impacts of Social Media Addiction on children that should be a serious concern for parents:

Social and Emotional Development Disorders
Children who are overly fixated on social media are likely to experience impairments in direct social interactions, They may have difficulty developing healthy communication skills and empathy towards others. Have you ever seen a child who immediately cries or getting worse, tantrum uncontrollably when their gadget is taken away?

Mental Health Issues
Social media addiction can contribute to increased stress, anxiety, and depression in children. Various studies show that excessive usage can harm their mental health. Most social media platforms display things that are very glamorous, perfect, and cool, so they will compare themselves and feel like, "why can't I be like that (Influencer)" which leads to anxiety and low self-esteem.

Lack of Physical Activity
In the past, we were often scolded by our parents for playing outside too much. Now, it's the opposite; children tend to prefer staying at home quietly with their gadgets. Children who spend too much time in front of social media screens are likely to be less physically active, which can lead to long-term health issues such as obesity and related diseases.

Several factors that we may recognize that can contribute to children becoming addicted to social media

Psychological Factors
The excessive desire for attention or validation can propel children to continue using social media. Back then, we used to do this a lot, like showing off what we can do to other people , but now most of what is shown is inappropriate (sexy dancing, for example. There's no problem with sexy dancing, but when it's a kid doing it, I think it's kinda weird.).

Platform Design
Features like constant notifications and algorithms designed to keep the user's attention also play a role in increasing the risk of addiction in children. Back in the day (until now), when we open Facebook or Twitter (X), we had to enter keywords to search for interesting stuff, unlike TikTok/Instagram/YouTube Shorts, where the algorithm automatically arranges them to show what we often watch.

Lack of Parental Supervision
Children who do not receive sufficient parental supervision regarding social media usage are more susceptible to addiction., this is a key factor in all of it.

From now on, parents should start educating their kids about the dangers of social media addiction and the importance of using technology in a healthy way. Set a clear time limit for using social media and make sure that time is spent on activities that are more physically and mentally benefits. Parents need to actively keep an eye on their children's social media activities and provide the necessary guidance. Encourage kids to participate in physical and social outdoor activities to reduce dependence on social media.

So, the social media addiction in children is not a problem to be taken lightly. With a better understanding of its negative impacts and the right preventive efforts, we can help protect the future generation from unwanted risks due to uncontrolled use of social media. Parents, educators, and the community as a whole have a crucial role in creating a healthy and safe environment for children to grow and thrive.

Input, sharing experiences, or different perspectives are greatly valued by me, don't hesitate to write down your opinions!
"Thank you"