Reference no: EM133512286

Children develop their self-concept by absorbing information from those around them and then internalizing it for themselves. They also observe how others perceive them and use that knowledge to improve their own self-awareness. As others' attitudes toward that child coincide with their own self-awareness, self-esteem develops. (APUS, n.d.) Learning social skills and problem-solving skills requires the development of self-awareness and self-esteem. When children form friendships, they can work through social problems in a less risky environment. They can learn by resolving conflicts among their peers, increasing their sense of self, and improving their ability to maintain friendships. This skill will also boost their self-esteem. When people work together to resolve conflicts while remaining friends, they form stronger bonds and have a sense of belonging and value. (APUS, n.d.)

Because the environment is so different, social media has a significant impact on social problem-solving. There is a lack of learning about nonverbal communication that occurs in person because of the emphasis on social media platforms. The nuances of determining emotions and social cues are more subjective. There is a new vocabulary to learn in video games and messaging apps. This can be discriminatory and may serve as a gatekeeper within "popular" social circles. Social media also separates users from one another, allowing them to avoid feeling stressed or guilty for not being kind or helpful. (Ehmke, 2023) Furthermore, the use of social media can also lead to a distorted sense of reality, as people often only share their highlight reels and not their struggles. This can create feelings of inadequacy and low self-esteem in those who compare themselves to others online.

I read an article about a teen whose friend died last week and who set up a GoFundMe page to assist the family with expenses. Because it benefits his friend's family, this is an example of prosocial, positive problem solving. It also channels more difficult emotions, such as grief, into something productive. (Douglas, 2023).

I came across a terrible bullying news story in which students bullied another student and then shared the video online. This is an example of poor social problem solving and the peer influence of others acting as bullies as a group. Then posting it online adds to the negativity and bullying. (Vickers, 2023).