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Untitled Document 1

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sherwin.manares

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OUTPUT IN

ENGLISH

Submitted by:
Lindsay Marie C. Estenzo

Submitted to:
Mary Jane L. Flores
“SHOULD SOCIAL MEDIA BE
RESTRICTED TO CHILDREN BELOW
18 YEARS OLD”
In a world where technology is rapidly improving, the information everyone can
access is vast. Moreover, social media has always been the face of technology; it is a broad
network where individuals create online communities for sharing information, ideas, content,
and their personal lives. Given the worldwide availability of social media, its accessibility
correlates to everyone. But is it appropriate for minors or children below 18 to have the same
access, considering the often mature content and diverse nature of many online communities?
There is no limit to the information adults can acquire. In contrast, children lack maturity and
are vulnerable to the risks of this complex digital world. Unrestricted access affects
children's education, mental health, and physical health; Therefore, social media should
be restricted for children below 18.

In contrast, social media has become a daily part of our lives; it is an advantageous
network helping in various ways: connecting and enabling communication with our friends,
broadening our perspectives, exploring our curiosity, having friends across the globe, gaining
more knowledge, and also helping businesses with marketing and customer service on a
wider scale. Furthermore, social media serves as a powerful tool for accessing information
quickly, raising awareness about important issues, and facilitating online advocacy. Due to
the great benefits of social media in our lives, we overlook its effects on children. Based on a
study by Philippineseducation.info, the cons of social media use for children are far more
numerous and impactful than the benefits, affecting children's education, psychological
(mental) health, and physical health.

Specifically, education is a powerful tool for children's growth and future. However,
in today's generation, children are influenced by technology and are focused on their gadgets.
These gadgets offer numerous benefits because of social media, enabling students to acquire
necessary information and fostering learning; yet, this convenience is often abused. In
addition, a blog post on Filipino youth analyzing the relationship between social media and
education shows addiction, procrastination, and the spread of misinformation. It also
mentions the risks of cyberbullying and the abusive use of social media for criminal
activities. Furthermore, reliance on technology and the use of social media undermines the
development of independence, self-reliance, and social skills. As stated, social media tends to
be misused by children, resulting in detrimental effects on their education.

Similarly, unrestricted access to social media has a clearly negative impact on

individuals' mental health and stability. Studies have shown that excessive use of social
media leads to issues like addiction, loss of focus, sleep disturbances, cyberbullying,
harassment, increased anxiety, and depression. Initially, a 2020 study by UNICEF
Philippines found that Filipino children spend an average of 3.5 hours per day on social
media, reporting feeling unable to control their usage, indicating potential addiction affecting
their mental health and daily lifestyles. Furthermore, a 2012 study in Quezon City shows that
frequent gaming and social media use result in attention deficits among high school students
and can lead to academic struggles and poor concentration. Moreover, a 2020 survey and the
study by UNICEF Philippines (a survey of 10-18-year-olds) show that half of them had
experienced cyberbullying. In addition, a notable number of Filipino children reported
encountering pop-ups and links to adult content, as well as receiving unwanted sexual
messages. Exposure to such content may result in anxiety, social isolation, depression,
distress, trauma, and even suicidal thoughts, impacting a child's emotional and psychological
well-being. Besides that, many studies claim the negative impacts of unrestricted social
media access on children's mental health; therefore, restrictions should be enforced.

Likewise, children's physical health is affected by the unrestricted access of social

media to children below the age of 18. Notable effects include sedentary lifestyles, sleep
problems, vision problems, and risky behaviors. On the other hand, a report states that teen
suicides have been increasing worldwide over the last decade, and the Philippines is no
exception. Moreover, research by the UP Population Institute showed that almost 1.5 million
young Filipinos tried committing suicide. Additionally, 404 deaths were caused by suicide
among public school students. Furthermore, the excessive use and exposure of social media
to minors is being blamed for increasing social isolation. Cyberbullying is associated with
higher levels of depression, low self-esteem, behavioral problems, suicidal thoughts, peer
pressure, and sexual orientation issues as contributing factors. (Teen Suicides—a growing
concern, n.d.) Unrestricted access to social media exposes teens to significant risks, including
cyberbullying and other harmful factors that affect both mental and physical health,
potentially leading to death. Therefore, social media restrictions for minors are necessary to
protect them from greater risks.

In conclusion, the evidence extremely supports the must have for restrictions on
social media access for children under 18. While social media can foster connection and
provide various information, the negative effects of unrestricted access such as detrimental
effects on education, mental health, and physical well-being are too crucial to ignore.
Children and adolescents are particularly vulnerable to issues like addiction, cyber bullying,
and exposure to harmful content, which can lead to psychological and emotional harm.
Moreover, to protect the well-being of our youth, it is necessary to enforce age-appropriate
guidelines that restrict access to social media for minors. By doing so, we can create a safer
online environment that prioritizes their self development and mental health. A balanced way
to technology use is crucial, ensuring that children can still benefit from the advantages of
social media, while they are protected from its potential dangers. Thus, implementing
restrictions on social media access for minors is not just a necessity but an urgent priority in
today’s digital age.