The negative impacts of Facebook on youngsters in PNG

 by Kayleen Misah & Grace Kauli

 While Facebook provides a platform accessible and beneficial for information, education and other opportunities for social networking, it also poses negative impacts, especially for young people. In the context of using social media, benefits often come with risks or challenges. In support to this, Twenge et al., (2018) states that Facebook can pose serious challenges to mental health, social development and digital safety of youths. Therefore, to fully understand Facebook`s role in the digital lives of young people in PNG, a user must not only consider what Facebook adds but also what it takes away.

An FB user receiving cyber security alerts on her account.  

One of the most concerning issue that most youngsters in PNG face is Cyberbullying. Facebook provides a space where bullying can occur under everyone`s nose without face-to-face interactions. Such practices include harmful comments which can further lead to over-stressing or worrisome and suicidal acts. This can further cause conflicts between individuals, families and communities over a long period of time. Patchin and Hinduja (2020) found out that a significant portion of teens had experienced cyberbullying through social media platforms. Examples can be clearly seen online once logged into Facebook, therefore it is better to keep one`s private life out of such social media platforms.

Secondly, Facebook cannot be trusted in terms of getting first-hand information as it can sometimes lead to misinformation. Young people often rely heavily on sources found on Facebook for research and other activities but lack the ability to fact check and verify these information, as most are unreliable or misleading information. Such actions influence people`s understanding of important issues and lead to confusion and fear (Guess et al., 2019). For example, post courier online contributor, published that during the Covid-19 era, fake news circulated on Facebook and other platforms about the vaccines being part of a government control scheme and may cause infertility. This instigated fear within people that led to rejection on getting vaccinated for protection of the disease. Therefore, to avoid being misinformed, verify information posted online and do further research for clarifications.

The user is trying to report the threat back to Facebook.

Another pressing impact of fb that disturbs daily activities of oneself, especially young adults, is Facebook`s effect on mental health. While the platform enables users` emotional expression and support, it also creates an environment where comparison and validation seeking are constant. This comparison can foster depressive symptoms, especially when users see their own lives as not exciting or successful than those that they see online. In addition, Nesi & Prinstein (2015) states that the platforms emphasis on likes and comments reinforces a need for external approval, which can create anxiety when posts don`t receive expected number of engagement. And this is common for most young Papua New Guinean users on Facebook. Furthermore, as time passes this can contribute to more serious mental health issues such as chronic depression or suicidal ideation, particularly among vulnerable adolescents (Twenge et al., 2018).

To conclude, Facebook offers opportunities for connection and expression but its negative impacts on young people cannot be overlooked. This include, cyberbullying, exposure to misinformation and mental health struggles. Parents, educators and young people of PNG must be aware of these risks and take steps toward healthier, more mindful use of social media.

 

 References 

Gari, B (2025). Fake news in PNG: How to spot and stop misinformation. Post Courier Online Contributor

Retrieved from: Fake news in PNG: How to spot and stop misinformation - Post Courier

Guess, A. M., Nyhan, B., & Reifler, J. (2019). Exposure to untrustworthy websites in the 2016 U.S. election. Nature Human Behaviour

Retrieved from: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/339632458_Exposure_to_untrustworthy_websites_in_the_2016_US_election

Nesi, J., & Prinstein, M. J. (2015). Using social media for social comparison and feedback-seeking: Gender and popularity moderate associations with depressive symptoms. Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology

Retrieved From: 10802_2015_20_Article 1427..1438

Twenge et al., (2018). Trends in U.S. adolescents’ media use, 1976–2016: The rise of digital media, the decline of TV, and the (near) demise of print. Psychology of Popular Media Culture

Retrieved from: Trends in U.S. Adolescents’ media use, 1976–2016: The rise of digital media, the decline of TV, and the (near) demise of print.