The effects of Facebook

By Wazi Kunene

Schools around the world are complaining about the social network phenomenon that is Facebook. This came after a meeting with a number of education departments.  The topic of the meeting was ‘Learners today are not competent enough to handle pressure in high learning’.

Research has shown that more than 76% of high school learners are using Facebook, which has further proved that children are mentally affected by the website. Facebook has also shown to be dangerous as young people are giving off very important and private information about themselves to strangers.

Child Psychologist Doctor Ooza Daganyembe says that this does not only create a youth that is not involved with the world, but the risks of depression leading to obesity are increasing tremendously.

Though social networking can be seen as a tool of learning and keeping your children in doors and away from negative influences, it hugely affects the learners.

Not only do children obtain negative academic marks but slowly their relationship with their parents is being compromised. Parents are also said to be failing their children by neglecting them and allowing them to have computers in their rooms. It is advised for parents to limit the time the children spend on the computers and rather spend their time on other physical activities.