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VTV.vn - The abuse of social media leads to repercussions in the perception and actions of children, such as resorting to violence when solving problems, adopting a carefree lifestyle, and giving rise to various issues...
As the new school year begins, alongside the joy of children returning to school after the pandemic, parents also harbor many concerns, especially regarding social media issues.
According to a recent survey by the Ministry of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs, children using social media is increasing, with the time spent reaching 5-7 hours per day. According to the same survey, only 36% of children, mostly aged 16-17, are taught about ensuring safety on the internet.
In the first 7 months of the year, there have been nearly 270 calls to the Child Protection Hotline 111. Most calls require advice related to three major issues: counseling on sexual harassment of children in the online environment, safe internet usage, and how to handle situations where children are lured or coerced.
Malicious content surrounds social media
The development of information technology has led to the emergence of numerous applications, from electronic games to social media platforms. Alongside positive information, harmful content also proliferates like mushrooms, causing repercussions when unsuspecting children come across it.
Sensitive content
First and foremost, there are sensitive images and explicit actions that even adults find embarrassing. They appear on all social media platforms that any child can stumble upon without parental control.
Dangerous challenge trends
Dangerous challenges continually arise, threatening children on platforms like TikTok. Challenges involve consuming abnormal substances, and, in some cases, even life-threatening activities like hanging, leading to heartbreaking real-life consequences.
Schoolyard violence
Recently, a series of incidents unfolded: an 8th-grade student was assaulted by a group of male students in Ha Tinh due to conflicts on social media, a 16-year-old girl was attacked, stripped, and had the video posted online by a peer.
It is evident that for students at this age, social media serves as a platform for self-expression and, unfortunately, a place where they become victims of harmful information or school bullying.
And then, the unforeseen consequences on the health, and even lives, of these young individuals have become sorrowful tales in hospitals.
Unforeseen consequences of social media addiction in children
For a 12-year-old patient undergoing treatment at the Children's Hospital, even when doctors inquire and encourage, the child constantly cries, becomes agitated, and easily angered. The family reveals that the child used to spend a significant amount of time each day on social media. Lately, the child has been receiving negative messages that impact their mental and emotional well-being.
Dr. Do Minh Loan, Head of the Adolescent Health Department at the Children's Hospital, states: 'Sending negative messages, content, and images, although frightening, still make children feel bound because peers also encourage and entice them to stay on social media. With such anxiety and fear, children exhibit signs of easy irritability and fluctuating emotions throughout the day.'
In a psychological counseling room at the Early Intervention and Psychological Therapy Center HOPE, 80% of the patients are children with a tendency to use social media for over 10 hours a day.
Dr. Nguyen Thi Thu Hien, Clinical Psychologist at the Early Intervention and Psychological Therapy Center HOPE, shares: 'Using social media excessively will increase FOMO syndrome, the fear of missing out, leading to constant message checking. Some children use social media until 3-4 in the morning. When it becomes a habit, tight control in the present causes significant issues such as threats, violence, and parents feeling overwhelmed in handling these problems.'
An exemplary case is a 14-year-old patient, originally a talented team player, whose academic path was seriously affected due to becoming 'addicted' to electronic games. Attempts at control led to outbursts, destruction, pushing parents away, refusal to go to school, and eventually dropping out. In the main academic year, the tendency to skip classes every week reemerged.
According to Dr. Do Minh Loan, in recent years, the number of children brought to the hospital for examination and counseling due to psychological issues related to social media usage has been on the rise. Treating these children has become more challenging.
Regarding the psychological impact, especially during the developmental stage, they are highly influenced by peers and people around them. Children are prone to resorting to violence when dealing with problems, conflicts with friends, or within the family. Some live recklessly, and there are even those engaged in promiscuous sexual activities. As social media becomes more accessible, the consequences become increasingly unpredictable.
Early Social Media Education for Children
Many believe that children are a reflection of their parents. This is easily understood as the daily actions, gestures, and words of adults significantly impact the intellectual development, moral qualities, lifestyle, and thinking of children.
In the era of 4.0, technology undeniably aids children greatly in learning, entertainment, and connecting with others. However, every parent, school, and community must strive to help children become healthy digital citizens.
Not only creatively engaging in manual activities with his son, but Loan (Hanoi) also developed a habit of reading books to him from pregnancy. Hence, books remain the favorite of the 5-year-old boy to this day.
From every household to the school, electronic devices are gradually being restricted to the maximum. Storing phones in lockers throughout the day is the rule at Lương Thế Vinh Middle and High School, allowing students to fully enjoy study and playtime at school.
Avoiding vulgar language, refraining from swearing on Facebook, and not endorsing inappropriate content—all these prohibitions are communicated to all students at the beginning of the school year. The school's regulations, displayed in the hallways and subtly present in every class period, have somewhat altered the habits of students using social media.
Educating a child is clearly never easy, requiring adults to invest ample time and emotional energy. It is hoped that every little one will grow up in both a real and virtual environment that fosters well-being. They will cultivate a scientific lifestyle, understanding that when they put down their phones, there is a world full of discoveries waiting outside.
