Whether we should ban the use of internet and social media in schools - Thesis Example

As the Internet and social media started its active development, concerns over its negative influence on the general population, and especially on children, has been present and widely discussed. Among the most disturbing issues has been the fear that as an endless source of information and opportunities for connecting with diverse people, social media creates versatile threats for the young individuals, their normal emotional health and development. (Wallace) Namely, there are concerns that students are in danger of accessing “inappropriate matter on the Internet” that can be expressed by both “harmful content or harmful contact”. (Varlas) Subsequently, the problems of cyberbullying and online harassment are commonly discussed while talking about social media usage by children and teenagers.

(OKeeffe, and Clarke-Pearson 800-804) As a result, some educators tend to explain that it is more effective and easy to ban the usage of social networking than to control the way students use them. Apart from harmful influences that social media can produce, much has been said in relation to its distracting effect. At present, it has already become a norm to spend a significant percent of time in front of the monitor, communicating, sharing information and photos, or other. (Varlas) It follows that, often, the computer is a substitution of the real-life activities, such as face-to-face communication, sports, going out and having good time with friends, everything that can be considered a part of the normal process of maturing and social development.

For instance, specialists revealed that spending too much time online, adolescent are at risk of developing “Facebook depression”, which is both a result and root of “social isolation leading to risky behavior.” (OKeeffe, and Clarke-Pearson 800-804) In addition, social media is also sometimes blamed