There numerical revolution changes the way adolescents form relationshipsfriendship. Exit meetings in playgrounds or squares, make way for virtual friendships. Becoming commonplace in an era where metaverse is omnipresent, these friendships nevertheless raise questions. Overview of this new form of relationship among teenagers, between opportunities and potential risks.
Understanding virtual friendship in adolescents
L’virtual friendship is not a new concept, but it has evolved considerably with the development of social networks, of the online video games and virtual influencers. Teenagers now spend much of their time online, forming friendships with friends they have never met in person.
These relationships are generally built around common activities: playing online video games, chatting on forums, following the same influencers or celebrities. Teenagers share experiences, ideas, laughter and sometimes even secrets with their virtual friends. It is a new form of socialization, which profoundly modifies the relational landscape of young people.
The opportunities of virtual friendship
Virtual friendship offers new opportunities for adolescents. It can promote the diversity of relationships, by making it possible to make friends with people from all backgrounds, regardless of their geographic location. It also allows you to create links around specific, and sometimes even niche, interests that are difficult to share with local friends.
In the current context, virtual friendship also offers an alternative to social interactions limited by health constraints. Additionally, it can help adolescents who are introverted or have autism spectrum disorder develop their social skills in a less intimidating environment than face-to-face interactions.
The risks of virtual friendship
However, virtual friendship is not without risks for adolescents. The Internet allows for anonymity, which can encourage certain malicious behavior. THE friends online are not always who they say they are and teenagers may be targets of cyberharassment, bullying or exploitation.
Additionally, virtual friends can sometimes substitute for real friends, limiting face-to-face social interactions that are essential for the development of social skills. Finally, excessive internet use can lead to isolation, mental health problems and sleep disorders.
The role of parents and school
Faced with these challenges, parents and schools have a key role to play in supporting adolescents in managing their virtual friendships. It is important to educate children about responsible use of the internet, and to make them aware of the potential dangers.
Moreover, school and in particular the school management have a role to play in social media education. Specific programs, such as those offered by the IESEG School of Management, can help young people develop critical thinking about online content and navigate safely. security on the Internet.
Virtual friendship among adolescents is therefore both a opportunity and challenge. If it opens up new possibilities for socialization and personal development, it also involves risks for which we must be prepared. Parents, schools and even adolescents themselves have a role to play in making the most of this new form of relationship. Ultimately, virtual friendship is a bit like the lightsaber of digital generation : impressive, promising, but to be handled with caution.
