What has social media done to our children?

Gone are the exquisite, peaceful and joyous days when we used to sit near the fire place with our grandparents and they would tell us lovely stories. They were intriguing and others were scary; but it brought us together. It was fun and life was simple.

What of these days? Can we compare? There is a huge gap. Technology has taken over, social media has become the heart and soul of men. Young children are becoming friends of gadgets.  They express their feelings, emotions, and  problems.  That is the world we are in today. Social media can be a dangerous huge animal; it has its positive and negative impacts.

  However, we have to deeply understand the generation we are in and where we are headed to. Imagine having a gorgeous, beautiful baby girl, she has just reached her teenage years; she does not have deep thoughts or much awareness on sexuality and sex.  But with the rapid exposures to social media, their eyes are opened, they feel superior.

Social media Influences, peer pressure from friends, and how the world has molded celebrity lifestyle online makes her want to look like the Hollywood movie stars. To dress like them, talk like them, and post photos of half nakedness in social media.   When the like’s hit list reaches 100, 200 plus she feels famous; it’s heavenly and now she is popular.

Social media platforms can affect one’s life. They may get engaged with online sex, pornography, musterbation and the likes. With this they can chat freely with strangers, send nude pictures and do many risky things. Who would even think that there children are doing that? Of course we don't want to imagine!

 I believe it is the parent’s responsibility to understand their children, talk to them freely and teach them the risks they can encounter using so much personalized information in social media.As the bible says, “rescue those being led away to death; hold back those staggering towards slaughter.” Let us help our children, sisters, brothers and friends.

If we teach our children to understand the world and the dangers that can impact their lives through social media, they will contemplate about it and exercise the goodness. It does not have to be a whole lecture, a forceful communication, no! They won’t like that.  Create a comfortable room where there is no tension but a friendly zone that can lead to openness and understanding.

Most company’s look into social media sites of individuals to really outweigh the options and try to understand you well. They would analyze what you post and if you are fit for that particular job. All I want to put across is, we should be keen and responsible for what we post; more so our siblings and children.

I would not want my daughter, son, brother or sister to be part of this tempting situation. I will put all effort to become a good mother. We are not perfect, sometimes we can be carried away by the situations in our lives. But also we want our children to grow as people of respect, dignity, confidence, successful and who can better their lives and those of other people.

It’s upon us to act in a dint of a second and help our children grow well in this challenging society. Parents create time for your children and talk to them openly, it won’t cause any harm but good.
Remember this, “for waging war you need guidance, and for victory many advisers.”