Protecting teens from negative effects of Facebook

These experts say official statistics estimate there are 22 million Facebook users throughout Vietnam, with the overwhelming majority of them being teenagers— and they caution parents about the ill social effects from overuse of Facebook.

Social Connectivity

Teenagers, particularly those that are shy, can develop valuable social skills interacting with their peers through Facebook and these interactions can positively enhance connections made at school.

However, once hooked on the social interactions created on Facebook, far too many teenagers get psychologically addicted to its use and feel compelled to log in and interact many times throughout the day.

According to Anh, she spends “10 hours per day on Facebook. I feel uncomfortable if I can’t use Facebook regularly so I find a way to access it.”

Mr Lam said students such as Anh spend far too much time in the virtual world of Facebook. They become mentally isolated, lonely, emotionless and demonstrate a lack of responsibility to their family and themselves.

“There are many students like Anh, that fall victim to crisis and depression each year,” said Mr Lam.

“It’s a complicated issue, because banning children from using Facebook is not an effective solution. The more we forbid its use the more curious teenagers become and one way or another they will find a way to access it.”

Lan underscores the point that it’s up to parents and teachers at home and in the school to educate students as to the benefits and negative aspects of Facebook so that students can learn to protect themselves.

Distraction from Learning

The time and effort taken for frequent Facebook interactions distract adolescents from benefiting from the learning activities at school and, in fact, very often contribute to lower grades for many teenagers, said Mr Lam.

Psychological Disorders

He said a relatively new disorder on the scene – Facebook depression – involves symptoms of sadness and anxiety experienced by teenagers that is connected with Facebook use.

The depression and anxiety most often occur when teenagers fail to receive the contact and acceptance they crave from other teenagers through their Facebook interactions, which often leads to depression and feelings of social isolation.

Substance Use

The images and interactions that occur on Facebook can involve and include drug and alcohol use, said Mr Lam, including images of people engaging in these activities or status updates about the activities.

Teenagers often see these activities and perceive them as acceptable, which can serve as a detriment to their social development.

In addition, teenagers who have experienced a substance abuse problem may have difficulty maintaining sobriety and recovery when they repeatedly see drug or alcohol related content on Facebook.

Protecting the Student Program

Deputy Minister Dao Hong Lan of the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs recently unveiled a program aimed at protecting students in the Facebook and larger Internet environment that soon will be submitted to the Prime Minister for approval.

“The program outlines with some specificity the role each ministry and department of the government in protecting students from the dangers of Facebook and the internet,” said Mr Lan.

Building legal systems to protect children in the Internet environment is a necessity, however, pulling teenagers out of the virtual world is going to require a joint and coordinated effort of family, schools and students themselves, he concluded.