Shawn Lane
Loughry 2
4/3/13
Facebook and twitter are just two of countless online worlds that are changing how people live their lives today. Although the internet and social networking sites target all sorts of ages and people, it has changed the lives of today’s youth dramatically. Preteen and young teens between the ages of 11-15 have an extremely naïve attitude when considering the dangers of using the Internet leading to the immature usage of social networking sites, giving out more information and not limiting who can and cannot see it, it has also led to young teens being subject to peer pressure or cyber-bullying more than ever, and has slowly began to consume their lives. Social networking, although it opens the door for all these negative effects also leaves us with an easier way to communicate with a wider audience which has made us love it.
Most of today’s youth believes that social networking sites are safe to use; that is, if they are used correctly. Most teenyboppers that first start out on sites such as Facebook or Twitter are not yet mature enough to realize exactly who they are unknowingly sharing information with. These inexperienced users exploit themselves by sharing where they currently live, their age, birthday, family identifications, etc. If not controlled properly, all of the information shared on their profile can be viewed by anyone and will be seen by more than just the people on their friends list. Even though these kids think to themselves “oh nothing bad will ever happen,” there will always be people on the internet that have malicious intentions. A preteen’s immaturity and posting of information and pictures with an unprotected profile can lead to unwanted consequences.
Social networking has also developed a more vast opportunity for peer pressure. This pressure ranges from the sensational trend of sexting, posing provocatively for the opposite gender, and friend requesting and following more socially immature people like...