Parents in Oranienburg criticize the dangers posed by social media to children

Parents in Oranienburg criticize the dangers posed by social media to children

In a world in which social media such as Instagram, TikTok and Snapchat are part of children and young people's everyday lives, many parents are at a loss and overwhelmed. The dangers that these digital platforms bring with them should not be underestimated. According to a report by maz-online.de There is no escape from issues such as cyberbullying, spreading hate, glorification of violence and even sexual content that surrounds our children on a daily basis. An alarming fact: almost 90 percent of third graders already use a cell phone.

It is all the more important that parents are well informed and understand how they can support their children in using these platforms. Janice Albrecht, who is responsible for drug and addiction prevention in Oranienburg, leads the “Parent Cloud” initiative, which offers monthly get-togethers for parents. Here they can discuss the current challenges and risks and receive important legal information that affects them: Parents are liable if their underage children create WhatsApp groups and, among other things, engage in bullying there.

Parental concerns in focus

Parents' concerns are diverse. According to a survey by the polling institute Censuswide, which was carried out on behalf of the online retailer Haypp, 63 percent of parents surveyed are afraid of cyberbullying and the effects of social media on their children. In particular, the impact on children's health, school performance and friendships is at the top of the list of parents' concerns. Bild.de reports that over 60 percent of parents see social pressure from platforms like Instagram and TikTok as problematic. A fifth of parents perceive the desire for cosmetic surgery as a symptom of this online culture.

It is also worrying that almost half of the parents surveyed are worried about their children's mental health. Depression and anxiety disorders are common issues affecting parents, while a third are concerned about academic performance and career prospects. Alcohol consumption, cigarettes and even drug abuse are other issues that parents are concerned about. 34.1 percent of parents surveyed said they were worried about substance abuse. It is clear that an open conversation with children about many of these topics is essential.

The pressure on young people

One of the career aspirations that is becoming increasingly popular among young people is that of an influencer. However, this also brings unrealistic expectations and pressure. Veronika Funk from the Oberhavel Consumer Competence Department emphasized the importance of conversations between parents and children and emphasized that bans are not the solution. It is important that parents speak openly with their children about the dangers of social media and support them in acting responsibly.

For all interested parents, another event on the topic of social media will take place on September 3rd at the Parent-Child Meeting in Oranienburg. Admission is free. In this way, parents can not only seek exchange, but also receive valuable information on how to deal with the digital world. A good knack for dealing with the challenges of modern media can achieve great things!