TECHNOLOGY AND SOCIAL NETWORKS
In recent years, the use and abuse of new technologies and social networks, internet, mobile phones, video games and television have rapidly become part of our lives.
New technologies can have great educational and communicative potential, but their inappropriate or abusive use can have significant negative consequences for our adolescents.
Addiction to these technologies and/or social networks is characterised by the inability to control their use, leading to the appearance of significant negative consequences that interfere in their daily lives (social isolation, poor academic performance, aggressive behaviour when the objective of the game is not achieved, etc.).
Adolescence is a very vulnerable stage when it comes to developing risky behaviour related to the Internet and new technologies. It is an age that is characterised by difficulties in measuring risks, a false sense of invulnerability, a strong desire to socialise and a need for intimacy.
Social networks and the internet make it possible for adolescents to obtain immediate feedback and rewards, as well as to participate in different activities, resources that are highly attractive and emotionally charged.
The problems associated with new technologies that most frequently affect young people are related to excessive use and personal safety issues.
Some of the most frequent problems:
- Time management problems. Hours in front of screens and/or video games make them lose track of time, leaving aside their personal and academic obligations.
- Aggressive responses when they lose. Conflicts with parents about ending the game or use of mobile phones, tablets, etc.
- Lack of privacy and misuse of personal data. Adolescents often use new technologies without taking the necessary security precautions, putting their privacy and personal information at risk.
- Information overload and inappropriate information.
- Social isolation.
- Inappropriate use. New ways of bullying: "Cyberbullying" (bullying carried out using new technologies and "Grooming", (online bullying carried out by an adult with the aim of gaining the friendship of a minor in order to sexually abuse them by inciting them to send photographs and/or videos of a sexual nature.
- Sleep and eating disorders.
- Addiction to new technologies. Manifesting large doses of anxiety if they cannot make use of it.
