[GLOBAL ECNOMIC TIMES] The 21st century is an age of information overload and an era in which social media is at the center of our lives. In particular, teenagers communicate, obtain information, and form peer relationships through smartphones and SNS. Instagram is one of the most used SNS platforms by teenagers around the world, and has a great influence on shaping their daily lives and identity.
However, along with the positive aspects of SNS, the negative effects cannot be overlooked. While SNS increases access to information and strengthens social connections, it also causes problems such as cyberbullying, the spread of false information, and the deterioration of adolescent mental health. In particular, teenagers are more vulnerable to the negative influence of SNS because they are physically and mentally immature.
Recognizing the seriousness of this problem, Instagram announced a new policy to protect teenage users. We aim to help teenagers use SNS safely by making the accounts of users under the age of 18 private and allowing parents to limit their children's usage time. This can be seen as part of SNS companies' efforts to fulfill their social responsibilities rather than simply focusing on profit generation.
The changes in Instagram are a representative example that shows the need for SNS regulation. As mentioned in the report by the Director of the U.S. Public Health Service, excessive use of social media can have serious negative effects on the mental health of adolescents. Additionally, cases such as TikTok’s ‘Blackout Challenge’ show that social media can threaten the lives of teenagers.
However, SNS regulation is a problem that cannot be solved simply through the autonomous efforts of platform companies. In addition to strong regulations at the government level, efforts are needed from educational institutions, families, and society as a whole. Media literacy education should be strengthened so that teenagers can use SNS in a healthy way, and parents should guide and supervise their children's use of SNS.
SNS is a convenient and useful tool, but at the same time, it can be a risk factor for teenagers. Instagram's changes remind us of the social responsibility of SNS companies and remind us once again of the importance of efforts to protect youth. However, this is just the beginning, and continuous efforts and social consensus are needed to completely resolve the side effects of SNS. We must all work together to help young people use SNS safely and healthily.
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