Youth Culture Window

Living in the Online Village

Dynamic ImageFacebook, Twitter, Instagram, SnapChat, etc. Everyone has an opinion about the influence these social media giants have on teens. Regardless of what the sometimes-conflicting experts say, we still have to help teens manage themselves on these platforms.

Here are a few ideas.

Understanding the Impact
What goes on inside the heart of a girl as she scrolls through her Facebook feed? How does a “re-tweet” impact the mind of a young man? Now we know for sure….

Brain mappers – yep, that’s actually a real job – wanted to discover what took place inside the heads of teenagers who use social media…so a few of them from UCLA hooked up 32 teenagers to MRIs and turned them loose on a customized platform akin to Instagram. What they found is certainly interesting.

For starters, the “reward center” of the brain lit up the more a student’s picture/post/comment was “liked.” The students’ nucleus accumbens – the part of the brain that reacts to pleasures such as food, sex, and money – became more active when they saw favorable responses to their online activity. (Of course, the “likes” weren’t coming from their peers, but a group of researchers on the other side of the screen.)

Speaking of peers, researchers tend to believe that kids’ friends have a major influence on what they like. “Normal” pics like food or friends were shown to the test subjects, as were images of “risky” items such as alcohol or cigarettes. But the test subjects didn’t seem to favor any item (risky or not) over another. Instead, they tended to “like” the pics with the most “likes.”

Furthermore, the researchers concluded that interaction with social media definitely impacts the brain’s plasticity – the way the organ functions after it’s experienced different inputs. Interestingly, this change is not always good, as evidenced by porn’s impact on developing minds. But social media’s influence on the brain’s plasticity isn’t always bad; interacting with large groups at one time, even from behind a screen, can potentially make kids more perceptive/aware.

Good or Bad (or Both)?
That’s just it, isn’t it? There are definitely some pros to social media…but there are certainly cons, as well. Some talk about the “downsides of social media” such as narcissism, addiction, and anxiety to name a few, but those results tend to spring from excessive use or outright misuse of these platforms. Other adults see “social media as great for teenagers,” but some of these “pros” can just as easily cause self-inflicted wounds if our teenagers aren’t careful.

The bottom line is this: when a teenager uses social media, there’s always going to be the possibility they walk away more informed or more connected…or wounded. But those outcomes don’t need to be based on a roll of the dice. There are many ways youth leaders and parents can put the odds in their kids’ favor. Here are three very simple ones.

 

  1. Lead them by example. There is no better way to jeopardize your teens’ social media involvement than by modeling poor habits yourself. Likewise, there is no better way to encourage your teens’ positive social media practices than by leading the way through your own example. One of the most important lessons we can teach is simply knowing when to turn social media off. (By the way, adults aren’t so good at this if new research is to be believed. It seems we aren’t so good at unplugging…even if we’re on vacation.) Moms and dads should declare certain parts of the day, for example, car rides and family meals, to be “social media free.” Likewise, youth leaders shouldn’t be focused on tweeting if they’re visiting a school cafeteria or trying to connect with a young person over a milkshake and fries. There are definitely other areas in which we need to lead by example when it comes to social media, but one of the easiest is to just know when to disconnect.
  2. Show them where the landmines are. Social media has plenty…especially for young users. From cyber-bullying to sharing too much personal contact information to knowing how to deal with a troubled friend, there are some lessons that kids don’t need to learn the hard way. Make sure you have helped your teenagers establish a safe route through all the funk that lies in wait in social media land. This will help them take advantage of all that social media has to offer their growth…while virtually eliminating all the incumbent risks.
  3. Engage them about their online lives. This goes far beyond just “friending” them on Facebook or following them on Twitter. Too many parents and youth leaders don’t engage teenagers about what they see in their online lives. You walk with them through the real world, right? Why not the online world, too? If your daughter’s friend posts something mean about a teacher, ask her questions like, “Do you think that was wise?” or “What do you think could come of that, good or bad?” If your son’s friend posts pics of alcohol consumption, you might want to ask him about that particular friend’s habits and influence. Whatever you do, don’t remain silent and let them try to figure things out on their own. Talk with them every chance you get.

If you think about it, loving adults already do all three of these in the “real” world. We just need to make sure we do this in the “online” world, too. We are the best insurance policy teenagers have to help guarantee that social media is a blessing and not a curse.

By 110 Comments
Share

David R. Smith

David R. Smith is the author of several books including Christianity... It's Like This and speaks to parents and leaders across the U.S. David is a 15-year youth ministry veteran, now a senior pastor, who specializes in sharing the gospel, and equipping others do the same. David provides free resources to anyone who works with teenagers on his website, DavidRSmith.org David resides with his wife and son in Tampa, Florida.

Recommended To You

when-our-kids-sleep-suffers

When Our Kids’ Sleep Suffers…

back-to-school

Back to School?

pandemic-obstacle-or-opportunity

Pandemic: Obstacle or Opportunity?

110 Comments

  1. Robertjed
    March 12, 2025 at 5:57 am

    I was skeptical not far from CBD at first off, but after exasperating them like delta 9 thc tincture, I’m exceptionally impressed. They presentation a suitable and enjoyable custom to undergo CBD without any hassle. I’ve noticed a calming force, outstandingly in the evenings, which has helped with both weight and sleep. The best some is the pre-measured dosage, so there’s no guessing involved. If you’re looking on the side of an uncomplicated and shreds way to acquaintance CBD, gummies are definitely value in view of—just survive steady to pay off from a reputable sort!

  2. Jeromesic
    March 21, 2025 at 9:53 am

    alo789: alo 789 – dang nh?p alo789

  3. Arthurwef
    March 24, 2025 at 12:27 am

    https://interpharmonline.shop/# legitimate canadian pharmacy
    canadian pharmacy online

  4. MonteMap
    March 24, 2025 at 6:43 am

    Mexican Pharm Inter mexican pharmacy online store MexicanPharmInter

  5. MonteMap
    March 24, 2025 at 3:50 pm

    mexican drug stores online mexican pharmacy online order Mexican Pharm International

  6. Arthurwef
    March 24, 2025 at 4:36 pm

    https://indiamedfast.shop/# IndiaMedFast.com
    canadian pharmacy antibiotics

  7. Jamesjiz
    March 24, 2025 at 4:45 pm

    vipps approved canadian online pharmacy: certified canada pharmacy online – canada pharmacy 24h

  8. MonteMap
    March 25, 2025 at 2:40 am

    lowest prescription prices online india online pharmacy india india pharmacy without prescription

  9. MonteMap
    March 25, 2025 at 2:27 pm

    canadian pharmacy no scripts Online pharmacy USA cheap canadian pharmacy online

  10. KennethLus
    March 26, 2025 at 1:02 am

    https://kamagrakopen.pro/# Kamagra

  11. DwayneLah
    March 26, 2025 at 2:27 am

    Kamagra Kopen Online kamagra jelly kopen Kamagra

  12. DwayneLah
    March 26, 2025 at 12:06 pm

    cheapest viagra buy generic 100mg viagra online Generic 100mg Easy

  13. KennethLus
    March 27, 2025 at 1:24 am

    https://generic100mgeasy.com/# buy generic 100mg viagra online

  14. DwayneLah
    March 27, 2025 at 9:54 am

    Generic100mgEasy Order Viagra 50 mg online Generic 100mg Easy

  15. DwayneLah
    March 27, 2025 at 9:22 pm

    cialis without a doctor prescription Tadalafil Easy Buy TadalafilEasyBuy.com

  16. Williamben
    March 28, 2025 at 4:10 am

    Generic100mgEasy: Generic100mgEasy – Generic 100mg Easy

  17. GregoryAnter
    March 28, 2025 at 7:18 am

    Kamagra Kopen: kamagra pillen kopen – kamagra 100mg kopen

  18. DwayneLah
    March 28, 2025 at 8:49 am

    Cialis without a doctor prescription Tadalafil Tablet Buy Tadalafil 20mg

  19. GregoryAnter
    March 28, 2025 at 2:05 pm

    kamagra 100mg kopen: kamagra jelly kopen – kamagra 100mg kopen

  20. TerryErose
    March 28, 2025 at 5:51 pm

    https://tadalafileasybuy.shop/# cialis without a doctor prescription

  21. DwayneLah
    March 28, 2025 at 7:48 pm

    buy generic 100mg viagra online Sildenafil 100mg price Order Viagra 50 mg online

  22. Jamesmig
    March 29, 2025 at 10:05 am

    пин ап – пинап казино

  23. DwayneLah
    March 29, 2025 at 10:35 am

    Officiele Kamagra van Nederland Officiele Kamagra van Nederland kamagra kopen nederland

  24. Williampaics
    March 29, 2025 at 11:50 pm

    пин ап зеркало – пин ап казино

  25. DwayneLah
    March 29, 2025 at 11:58 pm

    Tadalafil Easy Buy Tadalafil Easy Buy TadalafilEasyBuy.com

  26. DwayneLah
    March 30, 2025 at 11:22 am

    Generic100mgEasy Generic 100mg Easy buy Viagra online

  27. Jamesmig
    March 30, 2025 at 6:14 pm

    pinup 2025 – пин ап зеркало

  28. DwayneLah
    March 30, 2025 at 10:54 pm

    Generic100mgEasy Generic100mgEasy Generic 100mg Easy

  29. Malcolmnag
    March 31, 2025 at 8:19 am

    Kamagra Gel Kamagra Oral Jelly Kamagra Original

  30. MichaelTwedO
    March 31, 2025 at 3:10 pm

    Kamagra online bestellen: Kamagra kaufen – Kamagra Oral Jelly kaufen

  31. Malcolmnag
    March 31, 2025 at 5:35 pm

    Kamagra Gel Kamagra Oral Jelly Kamagra Gel

  32. Malcolmnag
    April 1, 2025 at 4:35 am

    Online apotheek Nederland zonder recept Betrouwbare online apotheek zonder recept de online drogist kortingscode

  33. Malcolmnag
    April 1, 2025 at 3:52 pm

    apotek online apotek online Apoteket online

  34. HomerHop
    April 2, 2025 at 1:15 am

    https://apotheekmax.shop/# Beste online drogist

  35. MichaelTwedO
    April 2, 2025 at 1:49 am

    Online apotheek Nederland zonder recept: Apotheek online bestellen – de online drogist kortingscode

  36. Malcolmnag
    April 2, 2025 at 3:02 am

    Apoteket online apotek online recept apotek online

  37. Malcolmnag
    April 2, 2025 at 2:52 pm

    Kamagra kaufen ohne Rezept Kamagra Original Kamagra Oral Jelly kaufen

  38. MichaelTwedO
    April 2, 2025 at 5:01 pm

    Apotek hemleverans recept: apotek online recept – apotek pa nett

  39. Malcolmnag
    April 3, 2025 at 2:04 am

    Online apotheek Nederland met recept ApotheekMax Online apotheek Nederland zonder recept

  40. RobertFem
    April 3, 2025 at 12:08 pm

    Agb Mexico Pharm Agb Mexico Pharm Agb Mexico Pharm

  41. Matthewexogs
    April 3, 2025 at 1:23 pm

    http://wwwindiapharm.com/# online pharmacy india

  42. EdwinHug
    April 3, 2025 at 2:54 pm

    mexico pharmacies prescription drugs: Agb Mexico Pharm – Agb Mexico Pharm

  43. EdwinHug
    April 3, 2025 at 8:38 pm

    india pharmacy mail order: indian pharmacy paypal – www india pharm

  44. ChesterWob
    April 3, 2025 at 9:52 pm

    india pharmacy mail order: indian pharmacies safe – top 10 online pharmacy in india

  45. RobertFem
    April 3, 2025 at 9:57 pm

    www india pharm cheapest online pharmacy india www india pharm

  46. ChesterWob
    April 4, 2025 at 8:50 am

    www india pharm: www india pharm – www india pharm

  47. RobertFem
    April 4, 2025 at 10:16 am

    www india pharm www india pharm india online pharmacy

  48. Matthewexogs
    April 4, 2025 at 11:12 am

    http://gocanadapharm.com/# trustworthy canadian pharmacy

  49. RobertFem
    April 4, 2025 at 10:30 pm

    mexican mail order pharmacies medicine in mexico pharmacies Agb Mexico Pharm

  50. EdwinHug
    April 5, 2025 at 9:23 am

    best online pharmacy india: www india pharm – www india pharm

  51. RobertFem
    April 5, 2025 at 10:11 am

    www india pharm www india pharm india pharmacy mail order

  52. Matthewexogs
    April 5, 2025 at 4:53 pm

    https://wwwindiapharm.shop/# www india pharm

  53. RobertFem
    April 5, 2025 at 9:38 pm

    Agb Mexico Pharm purple pharmacy mexico price list best online pharmacies in mexico

  54. Richardboobe
    April 6, 2025 at 12:13 am

    https://lisinexpress.shop/# Lisin Express

  55. Michaelrug
    April 6, 2025 at 4:03 am

    Lisin Express: Lisin Express – lisinopril price

  56. Brianfliny
    April 6, 2025 at 6:08 am

    can i buy prednisone from canada without a script prednisone 30 mg tablet Pred Pharm Net

  57. Richardboobe
    April 6, 2025 at 12:22 pm

    https://lisinexpress.com/# lisinopril 20 pills

  58. Brianfliny
    April 6, 2025 at 4:08 pm

    can i buy clomid online cost of generic clomid pills Clom Fast Pharm

  59. Brianfliny
    April 7, 2025 at 2:38 am

    Lisin Express Lisin Express Lisin Express

  60. Brianfliny
    April 7, 2025 at 3:26 pm

    Lisin Express lisinopril 60 mg lisinopril 10 mg pill

  61. Brianfliny
    April 8, 2025 at 3:47 am

    prednisone 10 mg canada Pred Pharm Net prednisone buy no prescription

  62. Brianfliny
    April 8, 2025 at 4:53 pm

    Pred Pharm Net prednisone tablets prednisone 5 tablets

  63. GarrettEmuro
    April 9, 2025 at 4:21 am

    yeni Гјyelik bonusu veren siteler casibom giris adresi en Г§ok kazandД±ran site casibom1st.shop

  64. Davidtop
    April 9, 2025 at 7:50 am

    http://casibom1st.com/# en gГјvenilir bahis

  65. Bradysalse
    April 9, 2025 at 8:03 am

    sweet bonanza siteleri: sweet bonanza giris – sweet bonanza slot sweetbonanza1st.shop

  66. GarrettEmuro
    April 9, 2025 at 2:16 pm

    +18 canli yayin siteleri slot casino siteleri caxino casinositeleri1st.shop

  67. GarrettEmuro
    April 10, 2025 at 12:45 am

    online casino bet casibom guncel giris casino oyna casibom1st.shop

  68. Bradysalse
    April 10, 2025 at 8:20 am

    casino siteleri 2025: guvenilir casino siteleri – slot casino siteleri casinositeleri1st.com

  69. RobertVow
    April 10, 2025 at 1:37 pm

    yasal casino siteleri: casibom giris – bet casino casibom1st.com

  70. Davidtop
    April 10, 2025 at 6:00 pm

    http://casinositeleri1st.com/# casino siteleri

  71. GarrettEmuro
    April 11, 2025 at 12:57 am

    sweet bonanza yorumlar sweet bonanza yorumlar sweet bonanza oyna sweetbonanza1st.com

  72. Davidtop
    April 11, 2025 at 9:35 am

    https://sweetbonanza1st.com/# sweet bonanza siteleri

  73. GarrettEmuro
    April 11, 2025 at 1:13 pm

    sweet bonanza 1st sweet bonanza giris sweet bonanza 1st sweetbonanza1st.com

  74. Randyepito
    April 12, 2025 at 12:57 am

    Mexican pharmacy ship to USA mexican pharmacy best online pharmacies in mexico

  75. Cletusbrode
    April 12, 2025 at 5:26 am

    Mexican pharmacy ship to USA: mexican pharmacy – mexican mail order pharmacies

  76. Randyepito
    April 12, 2025 at 10:20 am

    mexican border pharmacies shipping to usa usa mexico pharmacy USMexPharm

  77. Cletusbrode
    April 12, 2025 at 10:33 am

    certified Mexican pharmacy: usa mexico pharmacy – Us Mex Pharm

  78. Randyepito
    April 12, 2025 at 7:33 pm

    USMexPharm usa mexico pharmacy UsMex Pharm

  79. Randyepito
    April 13, 2025 at 7:06 am

    Mexican pharmacy ship to USA Mexican pharmacy ship to USA certified Mexican pharmacy

  80. Dennishot
    April 13, 2025 at 12:32 pm

    Mexican pharmacy ship to USA: mexican pharmacy – Mexican pharmacy ship to USA

  81. Dennishot
    April 13, 2025 at 8:56 pm

    certified Mexican pharmacy: Us Mex Pharm – Mexican pharmacy ship to USA

  82. Frankciz
    April 14, 2025 at 12:12 am

    UsaIndiaPharm: top online pharmacy india – india pharmacy mail order

  83. DavidTrusa
    April 14, 2025 at 6:46 am

    india pharmacy mail order UsaIndiaPharm best online pharmacy india

  84. Carltondeaps
    April 14, 2025 at 10:26 am

    http://usaindiapharm.com/# india pharmacy

  85. DavidTrusa
    April 14, 2025 at 4:51 pm

    USA India Pharm UsaIndiaPharm Online medicine home delivery

  86. Frankciz
    April 14, 2025 at 9:27 pm

    USA India Pharm: cheapest online pharmacy india – top online pharmacy india

  87. Frankciz
    April 15, 2025 at 2:54 am

    USA India Pharm: mail order pharmacy india – USA India Pharm

  88. DavidTrusa
    April 15, 2025 at 4:05 am

    UsaIndiaPharm top online pharmacy india USA India Pharm

  89. Carltondeaps
    April 15, 2025 at 5:57 am

    http://usaindiapharm.com/# USA India Pharm

  90. Georgecip
    April 15, 2025 at 10:06 pm

    top 10 online pharmacy in india: india pharmacy mail order – UsaIndiaPharm

  91. Frankciz
    April 16, 2025 at 12:30 am

    USA India Pharm: buy prescription drugs from india – mail order pharmacy india

  92. DavidTrusa
    April 16, 2025 at 3:49 am

    cheapest online pharmacy india cheapest online pharmacy india UsaIndiaPharm

  93. Frankciz
    April 16, 2025 at 11:47 am

    best india pharmacy: india pharmacy mail order – USA India Pharm

  94. DavidTrusa
    April 17, 2025 at 4:09 am

    world pharmacy india USA India Pharm india online pharmacy

  95. DwightExpaw
    April 17, 2025 at 9:41 am

    usa canada pharm: USACanadaPharm – ed drugs online from canada

  96. TimothyLaw
    April 17, 2025 at 12:10 pm

    USACanadaPharm USACanadaPharm canadian drug pharmacy

  97. DwightExpaw
    April 17, 2025 at 2:53 pm

    USACanadaPharm: canada rx pharmacy world – USACanadaPharm

  98. binance
    April 17, 2025 at 4:50 pm

    Thank you for your sharing. I am worried that I lack creative ideas. It is your article that makes me full of hope. Thank you. But, I have a question, can you help me?

  99. SamuelQuelm
    April 17, 2025 at 7:30 pm

    canadian drug stores: usa canada pharm – USACanadaPharm

  100. TimothyLaw
    April 17, 2025 at 8:47 pm

    canadian pharmacy in canada northwest pharmacy canada canadian online drugstore

  101. TimothyLaw
    April 18, 2025 at 8:29 pm

    USACanadaPharm canadianpharmacy com canadianpharmacymeds com

  102. Stephenabext
    April 18, 2025 at 10:07 pm

    USACanadaPharm: usa canada pharm – canadian neighbor pharmacy

  103. TimothyLaw
    April 19, 2025 at 8:24 pm

    canadian pharmacy usa canada pharm my canadian pharmacy

  104. Alberturiny
    April 20, 2025 at 5:50 am

    https://olympecasino.pro/# casino olympe

  105. Ronaldaddek
    April 20, 2025 at 7:36 am

    olympe casino cresus olympe casino en ligne

  106. Gregorytek
    April 20, 2025 at 8:00 am

    olympe casino avis: olympe casino avis – olympe casino

  107. VictorDooky
    April 20, 2025 at 8:14 am

    casino olympe: olympe casino – olympe casino

  108. Alberturiny
    April 20, 2025 at 9:01 am

    https://olympecasino.pro/# olympe casino en ligne

  109. VictorDooky
    April 23, 2025 at 12:27 pm

    olympe: olympe casino avis – olympe casino en ligne

  110. Robertavaiz
    April 23, 2025 at 10:34 pm

    https://kamagraprix.com/# Kamagra Commander maintenant

Reply your comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked*