Cell phone and Social media use by children 1

Cell Phone and Social Media Use by Children

Autumn C. Risch
Minnesota State University, Mankato

Cell phone and Social media use by children 2

Abstract
With the growth of technology in todays society, many other components of society have
changed. In this new generation of hand-held technological use, it is important that users keep
tabs on the level of their interaction and comprehend whether it is truly healthy or not. With the
use of technology comes a large responsibility, especially when taking cell phone and social
media day to day use into account. While some may argue cell phone use has not yet gotten out
of hand, it is plausible to ask, how, or more importantly when is the level of cell phone use going
to be considered abuse? One of the most prominent issues surrounding this growth is use by
children that cant yet make wise decisions regarding technological devices and social media
portals. For that reason, it is important that society explores why cell phone and social media use
by children has become a problem as well as how we can turn the predicament we are in around.
Cell phone and social media use by children is a prominent issue, but through education and age
restriction it can be solved.

Keywords: age, cell phone, social media, technology

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Cell Phone and Social Media Use by Children
Society has made outstanding technological gains in the last decade. Those gains have
made large impacts on industries, culture, and the individual. Because of the amount of gains,
technology has created significant changes on a societal level that have been criticized as both
positive and negative. People of all ages have adapted to cell phone and media use. Now the
question posed is, what age is it appropriate for individuals to begin cell phone use? While it
may not be black and white as to what age someone should receive a cell phone specifically, it is
clear that a kindergartener should not be the answer. Some argue that cell phone ownership by
children is a sort of security blanket and that social media use can benefit youngsters because
they are exposed to real world problems faster, however, evidence shows that this early use by
children is a huge problem due to the early exposure to inappropriate content, less exposure to
real world contact, and the maturity children have to begin with to understand the impact
technology can have on their lives. Cell phone and social media use by children is a prominent
issue, but through education and age restriction it can be solved.
With the incline of technology use the average age for beginning ownership of a cell
phone has decreased. The average age for an individual to receive a cell phone is currently six
years old (Scribner, H). Security is the main reason parents give their children cell phones at
such a young age. As discussed in The Mobile Connection: Cell Phones Impact on Society, 82%
of people agree cell phones are useful in an emergency (Ling, 37). Also, largest majority of
parents said they purchased a cell phone for their child for security reasons, so my child could
always contact me. (Study: 53% of kids get a cell phone at age 6.). This is a clear connection to
exactly how and why parents feel so strongly and rightly justified in giving their children a cell
phone at such a young age. Besides the relationship between parents and their children, some

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argue that children that have access to phones at an earlier age have more opportunities for
community engagement and collaboration and exchange of ideas with others over social media
cites (Bauchner). In turn, they say, children are able to form their own opinions on important
topics at an earlier age.
Although cell phones might make parents feel more confident in their childs safety, the
risks of early exposure to cell phone use and social media outweigh the positives. Some risks that
will be discussed more in depth later include early exposure to inappropriate content and less
exposure to face to face interaction, privacy concerns, and more specific online risks such as
cyberbullying and online harassment. More importantly, parents should feel more confident in
their childs safety because many other forms of technology besides cell phones have been
formed to increase security. As a specific example, Chicago announced Operation Virtual
Shield in 2006 which at the time was the most extensive virtual security system in the country
("The History of Video Security Cameras [Infographic]"). In the past ten years there have been
even better laws and security systems put in place in order to keep children safe. Lastly, the
argument that children have more opportunities for community engagement and collaboration
and exchange of ideas with others over social media cites is easily countered by evidence that
shows how technology leads to less real world experience. More specifically, social media can
negatively affect a childs ability to develop strong interpersonal relationship and can even lead
to social media addiction is severe cases which is the opposite of connecting to the community
(Santhosh). Community engagement and real world exposure happens around us, not over a
cellular device.

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Cell phone use by children has become widely acceptable when in fact it is harmful to
their development. Being sucked into cell phones, children continue to get less and less contact
with their peers. Today, social media surfing is among the most common activity of children and
adolescents (The Impact of Social Media on Children, Adolescents, and Families). Although cell
phones allow constant connection with friends, they in fact have led to a new era of unsocial
individuals. According to a recent poll, 22% of teenagers log on to their favorite social media site
more than ten times a day, and more than half of adolescents log on to a social media site more
than once a day (The Impact of Social Media on Children, Adolescents, and Families). With
children being exposed to cell phones at such a young age, they are now shaped around an early
life of more social contact through technology instead of face to face. Because of this, problems
can be seen in communication. Resolving conflicts is especially an area that has changed.
Cyberbullying and online harassment has spread quickly because individuals feel tougher behind
the screen of a phone (Bauchner). They dont have to face their victim, and often, their victim
isnt strong enough to fight back. Children often say things they wouldnt say in person behind
the screen.
Children should also not use cell phones because they are not mature enough to
understand the impact the use of cell phones and social media can have on their future. It is
scientifically proven that the frontal cortex, the area of the brain that controls reasoning and helps
us think before we act, develops later than most. This part of the brain is still changing and
maturing well into adulthood which is why children are more likely to act on impulse and engage
in dangerous or risky behavior and are less likely to think before they act and think about
possible consequences of their actions ("Teen Brain: Behavior, Problem Solving, and Decision
Making"). Also, children are not mature enough in the perspective that they are easily influenced

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without understanding what they are being influenced into. It is said that media doesnt change
attitudes and only reinforces them, but what does it do for those whose opinions are not yet
formed? Social media is very two dimensional and doesnt show all spectrums of opinions (Katz,
138). This can have a large impact on younger generations because they are viewing issues
through tunnel-visioned portals. Since children are so easily influenced, it should be made sure
that they are at least allowed all the facts to base their opinions off of.
Lastly, cell phone and social media use are harmful to children due to early exposure to
inappropriate content. Many parents do not understand the extent of the different kinds of content
that social media sites possess. While sites are meant to be safe, many posts slip by unfiltered.
Cell phone use also allows for sexting which is becoming more common among the youth
(Bauchner). Through both social media and cell phones inappropriate content can be shared that
children wouldnt normally have access to without the use of technology. The content causes
thoughts and beliefs that the acts or images in posts are widely acceptable (Santhosh). This often
occurs because children are joining systems that are meant for older individuals that dont filter
their content for younger users. There are pictures that are sexualized and contain alcohol or
many other things that children would not normally be exposed to at such a young age if they
were not on the social media sites. Children then try to follow trends that are set by older
individuals that are not appropriate.
One of the most prominent ways we can start to move forward is through education.
Parents arent completely at fault for giving their children cell phones at such young ages when
they dont understand the impact the devices can have on their children. Since newer technology
is better understood by those brought up with it, parents are often trying to catch up with their
teenagers understanding of the use of the cell phone and the social media within it. Programs

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can be created to educate parents on the harmfulness of early exposure to this technology
because of the developmental harm, maturity problems, and inappropriate content on the sites.
A solution to the specific problem of the early exposure to social media sites is regulation
of use by these sites. It is clear that sites want to have as many users as they can, but the
government can help begin the movement of age regulations to these sites. Currently, Facebook
holds the age regulation of 13 years of age, but what about Instagram and twitter? Also, many
children lie about their age to use sites. Since social media use is a serious problem, these sites
should have more controlled age restrictions with the help from the government if necessary.
In conclusion, cell phone and social media use by children is a large problem in our
society that can be reversed. Although the technological gains our society has made have
improved our lives, it is important for everyone to understand when the right time is to begin use
of certain technologies in order to better our lives and not hinder them. While cell phone and
social media use by children is supported by some, they would change their minds if they saw
the evidence of how harmful it can be. Early use needs to be reversed so children get more face
to face contact, begin use when they are mature enough to understand the consequences of their
actions, and arent exposed to inappropriate content too young.

Works Cited

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Bauchner, H. (2011). Benefits and risks of social media use in children and adolescents. Journal
Watch.Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine,
doi:http://dx.doi.org.ezproxy.mnsu.edu/10.1056/PA201104200000002
Santhosh, H. (2016, January 19). Positive and Negative Effects Of Social Media On Children.
Retrieved March 10, 2016, from http://www.momjunction.com/articles/negative-effectsof-social-media-on-children_00353633/
Study: 53% of kids get a cell phone at age 6. (2015, April 7). Retrieved March 13, 2016,
from http://abc13.com/technology/study-53%-of-kids-get-a-cell-phone-at-age-6/636328/
Katz, E., & Szecsk, T. (1981). Mass media and social change. London; Beverly Hills,
Calif.: Sage Publications.
Ling, R. S. (2004). The mobile connection: The cell phone's impact on society. San
Francisco, CA: Morgan Kaufmann
"The History of Video Security Cameras [Infographic]." Video Security and CCTV
Surveillance Blog -. N.p., 16 Jan. 2012. Web. 01 Apr. 2016.
The Impact of Social Media on Children, Adolescents, and Families. Retrieved March 15,
2016, from http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/127/4/800.short