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Course Number: English 1
Date: 08/10/2023
APPROPRIATE AGE FOR SOCIAL MEDIA USAGE
Introduction
Children between the ages of 15 and 16 should be allowed to use social media, with an
average age between 15 and 16 years old depending on the platform. Younger individuals cannot
manage social media responsibly, as it raises issues like cyberbullying. As a young person
without access to social media, it is crucial to learn how to maintain safety and deal with the
various issues it brings.
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One may argue that letting children under the age of 15 use social media outweighs the
risks since it helps them learn about the world. Furthermore, because they are connected to their
peers, the children may acquire greater social skills. They are, however, more likely to be
subjected to cyberbullying as a result of this. According to 2018 statistics (comparitech.com),
56.4% of parents with children aged 11 to 13 claimed that their children were bullied. After
school and the bus, social media is the third most prevalent place for youngsters to be bullied.
One-fifth of all bullying occurs online (Montiel 19.12, 7364). Even if it is done online, it can still
have an effect on a person’s personal life. In the fall of 2020, 42% of youngsters on Instagram
reported being victims of cyberbullying, compared to just 25% of teens. A 2018 study found that
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young people under the age of 25 who were subjected to cyberbullying were twice as likely to
commit suicide or participate in other types of self-harm. According to a 2019 study, teens who
are subjected to cyberbullying are more likely to suffer from insomnia and depression.
Furthermore, according to 2019 research from the Cyberbullying Research Center, 36% of US
12- to 17-year-olds had experienced cyberbullying in the past 30 days. Despite the fact that
parental controls may help prevent cyberbullying, just 43.4% of parents use them. The majority
of parents simply talk to their children about online safety.
Conclusion
Finally, the age of social media usage for children and young adults is a complex issue
with benefits and risks to mental health, cognitive development, and online behavior.
Establishing a minimum age for social media usage prioritizes children's well-being while
allowing controlled and instructional technology connections. This delicate balance protects
digital innovation's benefits without jeopardizing their physical and mental development.
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Works Cited
Henares-Montiel, Jess, et al., "Cyberbullying and associated factors in member countries of the
European Union: a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies with representative population
samples." International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19.12 (2022):7364