Grooming, cyberbullying, child abuse and other problems of social networks

A study by Monash University finds out that privacy is the most common argument against social networking sites. Privacy is a topic that teenagers do not take into account. They create a profile in a social network but they do not think where can finish all this information they add, adn it can be manipulated.

 There are many problems with social Networking sites and the teenagers that use them. Social networking online involves using Web sites to  information with others and connect with them by creating a profile that may include a personal Web page and a blog. Social networking sites allow users to add friends, send messages and comment on others’ profile pages.

The use of social networking sites has grown dramatically in recent years, and it has become a reference for the Internet communication. At the same time, there has been a public discussion about the convenience of these networks, especially among young people, because there are some legal or family consequences.

Data from a study named “the use of Internet among youth,” published by the Faculty of Psychology (UNED), also shows that 25 percent of young people  often suffer relationship problems associated with the use they make of Internet.

Internet young addicts percentage increases among adolescents aged 12 to 15 years because they spend the most time at home. This has serious consequences such as anxiety or sadness when someone is not connected, loss of sleep, decreased in the school performance, refusal to perform other activities, and tendency to isolation, which also entails a loss of quality of life, family and social relationships.

Amaia Lasa (2009) The Use of Internet Among Youth, Critica.

In spit of the psicologic consecuences that Networking Sites can create, there are others consecuences that are classificied as DANGEROUS.

A study by Monash University finds out that privacy is the most commonly argument against social networking sites. Privacy is a topic that teenagers do not have in account. They create a profile in a social network but they do not think where can finish all this information they add, adn it can be manipulated.

Often young people choose to be open and expressive. The option of protecting their
privacy online often falls by the wayside in favour of wanting to stand out to others
online…. Sometimes personal information was divulged without an understanding of
the potential consequences of disclosure (for example, posting information about
going on holiday and not realising that this could give an unintended recipient
information about their whereabouts).

Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA). 2009. Click and connect: Young Australians’ use of online social media (Canberra, July 2009)

Besides this aspect, using social networks we can find more serious problems:

• Grooming: Strategy which an adult approach to a child in order to get some kind of sexual benefit.
• Cyberbullying: This is the harassment that one person exercises over another using the Internet and / or any electronic device.
• Child Abuse: Abuse of a minor. Hang, download or view any type of content where the protagonists are children with connotations.
• Other: Crimes against honor and privacy. Violation of the right to secrecy of communications and crimes against sexual freedom.

A high percentage of parents are not aware of the problems of excessive Internet use, because reasons as they both work outside home and Internet control is not direct, but especially by the lack of information on the dangers.  This is one of the most common reason  that parents use when they are asked.

The Internet by itself does not engage. Young people with a realaddiction problem, generally come from dysfunctional families, present difficulties insocial skills or experience any problems with impulse control.

Amaia Lasa (2009) The Use of Internet Among Youth, Critica.

To sum up, using social Networking Sites should be controlated when the user is a teenager. Because, as we have seen, there are a lot of negative consecuences that can change our way of live.

References

•  Teenagers, Legal Risks and Social Networking Site, Monash University (2011). http://newmediaresearch.educ.monash.edu.au/moodle/pluginfile.php/2117/mod_label/intro/SNSandRisks_REPORT.pdf
• Ortiz, A. (2008), Adolescentes y Redes Sociales. http://www.error500.net/articulo/adolescentes-redes-sociales
• Sin Mordaza. Ciencia y Tecnologia (2011)http://www.sinmordaza.com/noticia/120670-el-64-de-los-chicos-navega-sin-supervision-en-la-red.html
• Berkman, L y Syme, L. (1979) Social networks host resistance and mortality: a nine-year follow-up study of Alameda County residents. American Journal of Epidemiology,2, 186-203.
• Sanchez, L. (2007), Adolescentes y Redes Sociales http://www.educacionmediatica.es/comunicaciones/Eje%201/Lourdes%20S%C3%A1nchez%20Mart%C3%ADn%20,%20Estrella%20Mart%C3%ADnez%20Rodrigo.pdf

• GARMENDIA, M. (2011). Riesgos y seguridad en Internet: los menores españoles en el contexto europeo, Universidad del País Vasco. http://www.xtec.cat/internet_segura/documents/apdcatdefinitiu.pdf
• SÁNCHEZ BURÓN, A., FERNÁNDEZ MARTÍN, Mª P., (2010). Informe Generación 2.0 2010: Hábitos de los adolescentes en el uso de las redes sociales. Estudio comparativo entre Comunidades Autónomas. Universidad Camilo José Cel. http://www.slideshare.net/ucjc/generacin-20-hbitos-de-los-ad