Internet Universe. Social networks: risks and potentials for children and teenagers

Why are the social networks so attractive to children and teenagers? What do they provide them with? How do they affect, in positive and negative terms, their interpersonal relations and the creation of their own identity? Have the social networks changed the concept of privacy? In what sense? Where is the boundary between the real and the virtual world? How can we detect or prevent addiction? Is it possible to make good use of the social networks?

Social networks can reinforce a series of positive values such as cooperation and teamwork and favour the development of collective intelligence. Unfortunately, inadequate use of them can produce isolation, autistic tendencies, addiction dynamics, a devaluation of the concept of friendship and can lead to the user confusing the physical world with the virtual world.

Knowing more about the functioning of social networks will help us to encourage a healthier use of them.

Related to Internet Universe, Internet Universe #3. City

12 February 2014