After working in education for 29 years, I am confident that a lack of internet safety and unregulated social media are having a profound negative effect on our kids and teenagers. There is no doubt of the impact these are having on the growth and development of young people.
Educators have witnessed a steady climb of students visiting the counselor as the use of cell phones and social media increased. Teenage suicide and mental health problems are on the rise. I had suspicions about the cause of these problems for several years, it is becoming more obvious in recent years. The impact of social media and violent related content on the internet is adversely affecting our young people.
As a society, we need to take control of our children’s use of mobile phones, access to social media and the Internet. I’m not only speaking to the parents, but also our government. Young people should not have access to the filth that is available on social media and the dark web. A lack of internet safety is impacting our kids in a variety of ways. The result of open access to all things on the internet is anything from poor self concept in our youth to violent ideologies.
Internet Safety Compared to Movies
Why do we regulate inappropriate or appropriate movies for teenagers when they can experience much worse on the Internet? This doesn’t make sense. I attribute the lack of internet safety regulation to an impact we have yet to measure. As we continue to see more evidence of a negative impact on young people from the internet, we have to take notice.
We are seeing more evidence of the internet sites influencing young people to carry out shootings. Any internet site or social media page whose purpose is to spread and encourage violence should be banned.
Are these dark websites too difficult to ban or find? I don’t know the answer to that question. Does the law protect them in some manner? Is internet safety not important? We cannot continue to sit on our hands enabling our young kids’ development to be impacted by the filth, hate and violence on the Internet. So, what’s the solution?
What is the Answer?
My first proposal would be regulating internet safety by establishing age limits on social media accounts across the board. Any social media account who cannot enforce these age limits will be banned. Put similar age related limits for Internet usage in to place as well. Minimum of 18 years of age to 21 years of age. The government must get involved in regulating the internet. Countries may have to work together on this task. Strict consequences for anyone who does not follow the standards. Will this fix the problem? No, it’s not going to eliminate the problem. But, we have to start making progress in saving a growing percentage of our young kids we are losing to depression and violence. It’s time to take action.
Curren inaction or unregulated web sites and social media are resulting in violence in our country in addition to many more at risk young people. A recent shooter of Charley Kirk was reported to have been communicating on a site in which violence was discussed and encouraged. Why is this content or website accessible to anyone? It seems it is a common theme of those carrying out violent acts in our country, violent internet activity. We must remove access to these websites, strengthening internet safety and the safety of our people.
What else can we do to improve this situation? How can we probit exposure to these things with our kids? Please share your thoughts with me.