Children and teenagers are publishing pictures of themselves on sites like Facebook, Twitter and Instagram in a bid for approval from their peers, who can ‘like’ or comment on the images.
But when they fail to attract the desired attention or approval this can damage their self confidence, it is feared. Experts have also suggested that children are now developing “inappropriate self awareness at a much earlier age.”

Dr Jessamy Hibberd, a chartered clinical psychologist, said: “Images are a way for young people to seek approval and attention from their peers. However they can also lead to cyber bullying and issues with self confidence. The majority of teens post the photos in search of assurance and compliments, but they are also making themselves vulnerable to negative comments and abuse. It’s all about comparison and young people are using social media to measure themselves against others. “If a teenager posts a picture and it doesn’t get any ‘likes’ or if it is their birthday and they don’t receive a certain number of posts they see that as an embarrassment. It is seen as an indication that they are not popular. There is an expectation now amongst young people that they should get comments on all of their posts and images.”

Quick Tech Support’s Child Protection Program offers parents a peace of mind

We provide monthly services that keep children’s computers, phones and tablets protected and safe from many innapropriate content exposure. The program also includes regular computer tune-ups and maintenance.