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For many people,
social media is part of everyday life.
Your friends use it,
their parents probably use it,
and even their grandparents
might use social media.
You may be wondering, ‘Should I have it?’
If you’re thinking of joining
a social media platform,
what are some things to consider
before you get started?
Are your parents in agreement?
Are there legal age restrictions
where you live?
The Bible says:
“The shrewd one ponders each step.”
That means that if you’re smart,
you’ll think about what
you’re getting into first.
Social media may seem like a great way
to stay connected with friends,
keep up-to-date on what’s trending,
or even find inspiration
for your latest hobby.
But if you take a closer look,
you’ll find that there are down sides.
Like what?
First of all, it can be addictive.
Social media is designed
to keep you scrolling and scrolling
to see what others are posting
and checking and checking
to see their reactions to what you post.
Social media can keep people
glued to a screen for hours.
That may explain why so many teenagers
are sleep-deprived.
The Bible gives some great advice.
It says: “[Make] the best use of your time.”
Some young people have postponed
getting a social media account
or have deleted the one that they have
just so they can take control of their time.
There’s something else to consider.
Social media can have
a negative effect on your emotions,
especially if you are
in your early teens or younger.
If left unchecked, it can consume you
with worry about what others think of you
or give you unnecessary anxiety
about why they get
more followers and likes than you do
or cause you
to make other unhealthy comparisons.
It might even make you feel
that you’re missing out,
such as when you’re excluded from an event
it seems like everyone else is invited to.
People who spend a lot of time
on social media
are more likely to be lonely,
anxious,
or depressed.
They’re also prone to online harassment
and to having a poor body image.
Instead of looking down all the time,
some young ones have started to look up.
How?
By spending more time
with friends face-to-face
or talking to them on the phone.
Nothing beats personal interactions.
Others have tried a social media detox.
What’s that?
It means taking a break from social media.
By doing so, they realized that social media
isn’t like food and water
—it’s not essential for life.
You can be happy without social media.
And there is another factor.
What if your parents say no
to social media at least for now?
What should you do?
Instead of getting upset
or going behind their backs,
show them that you can be trusted
by making smart choices in other areas.
This can give them a basis
to reconsider their position later.
Whether that happens or not, remember this:
Many young people are happy
to live without social media,
including some who once used it
but then decided to quit, at least for now.
And, if their friends ask
why they’re not on social media,
they just say,
“I have too much going on right now,”
or “I might get an account later.”
After all, in your later teens
you’ll be better prepared
to make the right choice.

What You Should Know About Social Media