Correct the grammar of essay; rewrite the conclusion.

Xu 1

Lingyi Xu

Prof. Treat

DISC 1313

19 November 2019

Should Children Be Allowed to Use Phones and Social Media?

What happens when a dry sponge meets water? It will absorb as much water as it can. Sometimes children are like a sponge: they will imitate the behavior of people around them or get information from the Internet and incorporate what they see into their lives. Due to the rapid development of the technological age, information on social media and the Internet is diverse. Moreover, in the past few years, there has been a significant increase in the number of children using mobile phones and social media. The data given by Jacqueline Howard in the article “What's the Age When Kids Start Social Media?” reflect the large number of children who own mobile phones and use social media: “The report found that, overall, 56% of the children had their own social media accounts, based on the parents’ survey responses. Among those children, the parents reported that the average age when initially signing up for the account was 12.6 years” (Howard). As a result, parents begin to worry about their children's use of technology and social media. The topic of whether or not children are allowed to use mobile phones and social media has attracted the attention of many parents and experts and generated different opinions. On the one hand, proponents believe that children should use social media to learn basic social and technical skills, to make friends with people around the world more easily, and to learn from their peers online. On the other hand, opponents believe that it would have a bad effect on children's mental health. Cyber bullying may occur and children may be unable to communicate better in real life. There are a number of pros and cons that come with using mobile phones and social media, and parental guidance can make a difference.

People who agree that children can use mobile phones and social media think they can better understand the latest technology and learn basic social skills. The Internet can broaden children's horizons, can help the children know current affairs new, and can help them obtain all sorts of newest knowledge and information. In later life, these children can do research themselves. Through the Internet, children can enrich their minds obtain learn a lot of knowledge that cannot be learned in school by teachers. In addition, they can use social media to communicate with others. Some children lack confidence and dare not talk and communicate with the outside world. Now with the Internet, these kids may overcome this psychological barrier and broaden their horizon in the process of this victual communication. Children can meet other people with the same interests, they can quickly make more friends through the topics they are interested in, and they can learn to build and maintain friendships and relationships. This can benefit for children. According to Ronaldo Tumbokon, “Social networks actually make kids more relationship-oriented, considerate, and emphatic. Kids remember people's birthday and greet them. They comment on pictures, videos and status of their friends. They create longer term friendships by being in touch online even when friends are no longer physically meeting”.

People who object to children's use of mobile phone believe it leads to a decline in school performance and affect pupils' ability to express and communicate. Younger students are obsessed with playing mobile phones and addicted to social media spend hours a day. They have no control and planning ability, which leads to a lot of time reduction in doing homework and reviewing textbook knowledge and a decline in academic performance. In addition, do not understand the class, further decline in academic performance, and then produce weariness of learning. Such a vicious circle makes a small number of students do not even want to go to middle school, and many parents hate their children to play mobile phones, and even use domestic violence means to stop. Still have pupil, have what thing as far as possible code word and schoolmate and teacher communication, affect its language expression and communication ability to a certain extent. Many studies have even found that children's use of social networks affects their mental health. Without a mature mind, it usually gets worse. Moreover, Jean Twenge’s article "Tech bosses limit their kids' time on smartphones: why shouldn't we?" noted that many celebrities limit the amount of time their children use technology. For example, Steve Jobs revealed in an interview with the New York Times that he has banned children from using the newly released iPad and limited how much technology his kid use at home. in addition, “many other tech experts also limited their children’s screen time, from the co-founder of Twitter to the former editor of Wired magazine” (Jean).

Even though there are a number of risks associated with social media use, there are some strategies that can help reduce the potential for harm. As guardians of their children, parents want the best for their children in addition to worrying about their children being hurt. When parents face their children's use of social media, they can first make a series of prevention and protection measures. Parents can learn some basic information about these sites before their children use social media. They should let their children know about the dark side of the Internet. There are risks in using it. Ronaldo also offers some advice, such as telling children to spend more time on real-life friendships and activities, which allow for real face-to-face interaction. As well as encouraging kids to be interested in other aspects, in the real life to do more interesting activities. In addition, when the child use social media, parents can set rules with their child about how much time they spend online. “Mental health peaks at an hour a day of device use, with issues becoming more frequent among those using devices two, and especially three or more hours a day”(Jean). It is benefit for children to use it in a reasonable time. “Should we instead adopt a cold turkey strategy and just take teenagers’ phones away? The research suggests this is not a good idea. Young people who don’t use smartphones or social media at all are less well-adjusted than teens who use them a little – perhaps because teen social life these days requires at least some digital media” (Jean).

To sum up, people have different opinions on this topic. While social media has many benefits, it can also affect children in unhealthy ways. For some adverse effects on children, parents can take some measures to reduce them. People should treat the influence of these technologies correctly. “In the meantime, smartphone owners of all ages should be thinking about how to use their devices safely – meaning for a few hours a day, not for most of it. Let your phone be a tool you use – not a tool that uses you” (Jean). In addition to the impact on children, all age groups need to pay attention.

Works Cited

Howard, Jacqueline. “What's the Age When Kids Start Social Media?” CNN, Cable News Network, 22 June 2018, www.cnn.com/2018/06/22/health/social-media-for-kids-parent-curve/index.html.

Ronaldo, Tumbokon. “Good and Bad Effects of Social Media on Teens and Kids.” Raise Smart Kid, 25 Aug. 2019, www.raisesmartkid.com/10-to-16-years-old/6-articles/43-facebook-myspace-twitter-good-or-bad-for-kids-brain.

Twenge, Jean M. “Tech Bosses Limit Their Kids' Time on Smartphones: Why Shouldn't We?” The Guardian, Guardian News and Media, 12 Jan. 2018, www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/jan/12/tech-bosses-kids-time-smartphones-parents-mental-health.