adminNow the fight has taken a deadly twist with technology providing a new field for this generation old battle.
Social networks have become part of everyday life especially for teenagers. When the phrase, “if a butterfly flaps its wings in, Japan, a hurricane will happen on the coasts of Florida”, was no less true when it was coined in the early 1960s than it is today.
The world has indeed shrunk. Events, no matter how small they might seem whether political, social or economical, might have far-reaching consequences on another place, thanks to social media.
Some say social networks have brought more harm than good and a lot of children now spend too much time on Facebook, Skype and Twitter and it’s now where they meet their friends.
“I can safely say gone are the days when we would read letters and run around with postage stamps because now it’s all on Whatsapp,” said Melisa from Haig Park.
Melisa, who is 16 years old, said the social media allows people to voice what they want.
A teacher at a local government school said what is wrong with social media is that there is no parental control.
“As good as this might seem social networks are proving to have negative consequences for children.
“If children’s everyday life is structured around a constant stream of posts, comments and tweets, it becomes a social hazard,” said the teacher.
Issues like cyber bullying, online predators, reputation damage and inappropriate content are all unfortunate realities of social networking.
In this regard it is therefore wise for parents to know what their children are doing online.
Brighton Makura, information technology guru at Lion’s Line internet café at Helensvale shops, said some of the consequences that may befall massive users of social networks are that children often do not understand the risks involved in giving out too much personal information on the Internet.
“This is of particular worry when such information is given to an individual who your child does not know personally.
“They may argue that someone is an online ‘friend’ but to all intents and purposes that person is effectively a stranger.
“To many children the online world isn’t the same as the real world and they can often behave in a way they would never do face to face, and say things they would never say.
“This leaves them much more vulnerable in an online environment. They may also be less protective of personal details such as their mobile phone number or address, which could have undesirable implications for them,” he explained.
Teenagers and young people need to be very wary of broadcasting events such as birthdays.
There have been several cautionary headlines involving children who have posted details of house parties on social networking sites to find their event is gate-crashed.
Another negative consequence of social networking is cyber bullying. Cyber bullying happens when malicious statements are posted online.
It may have negative implications on the child’s mental growth as well as emotional growth.
Cyber stalking or harassment on the internet is also one bad result of social networking.
Cyber stalking is when an individual is harassed or continually being pursued by people online whether friends or strangers.
Cyber stalking as innocent and harmless as it seems, might have serious implications such as when it makes the victim feel unsafe whenever on the internet.
Parents complain that the use of social networks has made children lose interest in school or outward games.
Mr Tendai Mhundu said: “The coming of Facebook has impacted negatively on children. My son if I ask him which sport he plays at school he says sports are boring.”
He went on to add: “These days as parents we no longer talk to our children, they are always on Whatsapp, Facebook or Twitter.”
Many parents have also alluded to what Mr Mhundu said, stating social networks are breaking that social fabric that used to bind families together. The talking over dinner is non-existent.
From the interview conducted Cool Lifestyle discovered that many parents now fear that they are being drawn farther andfarther away from their children.
Mrs Murwira, a mother and teacher, had this to say: “This monster called Facebook is slowly taking our children from us,” she said.
“I don’t know who will bury us,” she jokingly added.
Online Reporter