We are all numb to the facts that web sites we use daily: facebook, twitter, Instagram, snapchat provide us with media for free however it really is not free the proce we pay is these companies sell our interests and consumer habits to these companies and that’s how they stay in business.

There are many applications that actually listen in to your surroundings and they specifically record what you are watching and what commercials are on and all of your viewing habits on TV.

Research shows that most people post positive events on social media and present a happy, fun, enjoyable life, however, the parts of their life that are miserable or in great pain or not highlighted. People look at the posts and think wow there “ life is great” etc. It is a skewed reality in fact they might be depressed and have other problems. Social media allows people to present a part of who they are almost like the cover of a book without looking at all the detailed chapters.

Children and teens well beings and mood can worsen from viewing social media and this has been researched. There is a correlation between lower self esteem and a greater sense of a depressed mood the more children and teens are using: twitter, instagram, snapchat , facebook, etc.

Many children and teens are addicted to video games and the internet. Many experts do not want to throw the term addiction around however there is research on I use facebook to forget my problesm, I use facebook more and more and really have no intention of being on so long etc. The same goes for video games .

Social media can be used by children to receive acceptance and validation that they perceive they are not receiving. Children and teens use social media for attention from others very often .

We know children and teens crave approval from there peers and there is this effort to seek( likes) or thumbs up or validation on there social media sites.

On snapchat many children have a game of not breaking the chain of using the site with friends and it has become a priority for youth to log in and comment daily even w a smiley face or hello just so they do not break the chain. Addiction? Can be yes.

Many children and teens have been cyberbullied through the internet. The internet and social media give children a sense of anonymity and they do not have to attack someone verbally face to face they can hide behind their smartphone or macbook etc. Cyberbullying is s huge problem in our society and it always leaves a digital footprint so children and teens must be very aware and careful of their behaviors because it is recorded for parents, and schools, and everyone.