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Why social media fixation is a problem for teens

The allure of a “constant connection” to friends can be dangerously addicting, and it’s no secret that teens are especially vulnerable to social media’s lure.

The constant need for validation and attention can result in several problems for your teen, including anxiety, cyberbullying, and decreased academic performance.

If you’re concerned about your teen’s social media fixation, there are steps you can take to help them break their addiction. In this post, we will outline some of the dangers of social media addiction and suggest ways you can help your teen overcome it.

The dangers of social media fixation

You may have noticed that your teen is glued to their phone or laptop, scrolling through social media feeds for hours on end. It’s not just a phase—it’s a real problem.

Here’s why social media fixation is a problem for your teen:

It’s addictive. Teens are hardwired to seek out social validation, and social media provides the perfect platform for that.
It’s distracting. Your teen is missing out on essential aspects of their development because they’re so focused on their online persona.
It’s harmful to relationships. Your teen may be forming digital relationships instead of actual ones, and that can be damaging in the long run.
It’s a waste of time. Your teen could be using that time to learn new things, explore their interests, or develop healthy habits, but instead, they’re wasting it online.

Why teens are susceptible to social media fixation

Image Credits: unsplash.com

Teens are susceptible to social media fixation because their brains are still developing.

The parts of the brain that deal with judgment and impulse control are not fully formed, which means they’re more likely to act on instinct and not think things through.

Add to that the fact that social media is all about instant gratification, and it’s easy to see why teens can get hooked. They’re constantly being bombarded with images and messages that make them feel good, and it’s hard to resist the temptation to keep scrolling.

Warning signs that your teen may be addicted to social media

If your teen is constantly checking their phone or laptop, even when they’re in class or doing homework, then there’s a good chance they’re addicted.

And if they’re withdrawing from friends and family in favor of their online life, then that’s another sign that there’s a problem. It’s crucial to address this issue head-on.

But what can you do to help your teen break free from social media?

Here are a few tips as we come to a close: talk to your teen about the dangers of social media, set reasonable rules, and monitor your teen’s use of social media. You can also help your teen find other activities to replace their social media addiction. This could include things like playing sports or learning how to master a musical instrument.

You’re likely familiar with the dangers of social media fixation—it can lead to teen depression and a skewed view of the world. But try not to be too judgmental in your parenting journey. Your teenager is going through a lot of growing-up changes right now, and they need your support more than ever. Be there for them, and remind them that you love them no matter what.

Why you should think twice before responding to hate comments online

You’re scrolling through your Facebook feed when you see a post from a friend and the comments are already full of hate.

You decide to read them, and suddenly you’re in the thick of things. Someone has said something about your friend that’s downright rude, and you feel the need to reply.

Before you do, stop and think for a moment. Is responding to this hateful comment going to make things better? More likely than not, it won’t. It could make things worse by inciting more anger and hatred. You never know who might see your response, and it could end up causing more harm than good.

There’s no need to put yourself through that kind of stress when there are better ways to deal with hate comments. In this post, we will explore some of those ways and talk about why you should stop responding to hate comments online.

Be the bigger person

When somebody hurls an insult your way (or a loved one’s), it’s natural to want to fire back. But before you do, take a step back and think about the consequences.

Are you going to stoop down to their level and engage in a pointless back-and-forth? Are you going to make the situation worse? Are you going to give them the satisfaction of knowing that they got under your skin? There’s no need to waste your time and energy on somebody who’s not worth it. Just ignore them and move on.

The psychology of hate comments

Here’s the thing: responding to hate comments only fuels the fire. It can be hard to walk away from an online argument, but trust us—it’s worth it. Not only will you be sparing yourself from hours of stress, but you will also be sending a message that hate doesn’t win.

Studies have shown that ignoring hate comments works better than replying to them. When someone doesn’t get a reaction, they tend to give up and move on. So next time you’re faced with some negativity, just take a deep breath and walk away.

Responding to them only makes it worse

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By responding to negativity, you’re saying, “Yes, this is something worth getting worked up about.” And that’s not what you want. You want to ignore the hate message, or better yet, delete it. That way, you’re not giving it any power.

If you decide to respond to a hate comment, what should you say?

If you do decide to respond to a hate comment, you should never attack the person. That will only escalate the situation and could end up with you getting into a heated argument.

Instead, try to stay calm and constructive. Address the issue that the person has brought up and offer a solution. Most importantly, try to stay positive. No one wants to read a long rant about how terrible someone is. Keep your response short and sweet, and end on a graceful note.

No one deserves to be attacked online, especially not for something as innocent as posting a photo or opinion. At the same time, just because someone leaves a hateful comment doesn’t mean you have to respond in kind. Think about the consequences of your response before you post. Will it lead to an online argument that will just get messy? If the answer is yes, then it’s best to walk away. It can be hard not to react when you’re faced with hate but remember that responding won’t change anything, and it might just make matters worse.

6 Perks Of Using Instagram For Business

As social media usage continues to increase across all demographics, social media marketing has become a viable strategy for businesses. Social media marketing gives companies a way to engage with existing consumers and reach new ones while allowing the businesses to promote their desired tone, culture, and mission. One of the well-known platforms that Singaporeans frequent is Instagram (IG).

With over a billion users worldwide, it would be foolish to skip on the advantages of using Instagram for your business!

#1: CONNECT TO CLIENTS ACROSS MULTIPLE CHANNELS

Using Instagram allows you to connect to multiple channels to increase your engagement. You can put the Instagram button to your website to connect your clients to your profile.

As they scroll through your gallery of IG photos, clients can click through your account and start following you. They are likely to re-connect with you later.

#2: PROMOTE AUDIO-VISUAL CONTENT

As visual content is more attractive than chunky text, Instagram provides a huge opportunity for marketers to showcase their products or services. Instead of sending your brochure through email, you can use photos and videos to create a more compelling message.

Photos give your business a chance to highlight your products, while videos show your services in action. Post your company background and behind-the-scenes videos to help create your brand’s image.

#3: TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE HIGH ENGAGEMENT

When you post something on Instagram, many of your followers are likely to see it.

Image credits: unsplash.com

In 2016, IG users liked over 4.2 billion posts per day. Posts with at least one hashtag got an average of 12.6% more engagement than posts without hashtags. Imagine the difference in these numbers due to the recent global lockdowns.

#4: RE-USE MARKETING MATERIALS

Instead of shelling out cash to hold another photoshoot, you can re-use your existing marketing materials and post them on IG. Re-use these photos across your channels and select the best images for your ads.

As we are all crunched for money and time, it is best to work smart.

#5: RESEARCH WHAT YOUR CLIENTS LIKE

IG allows you to research and learn what your clients like. Use your content insights to understand the preferences of your clients. This is an important tool that help you create an accurate profile of your typical client.

This way, you will be able to improve your marketing strategy and grow the number of verified leads in time.

#6: LOOK FOR BRAND AMBASSADORS

The word of mouth is a powerful marketing strategy. It helps you to convince potential clients as satisfied clients speak on your behalf.

Image credits: unsplash.com

Keep generating good feedback and building stronger relationships with your loyal clients by selecting some of them as your IG brand ambassadors.

Sources: 1, 2, & 3

The Power Of Branding

Starbucks is not the best coffee in the country, but a cup of their coffee or two can make a person happy. Toyota is not making everyone’s dream car, but it is known to be safe and reliable. Apple iPhones are not the most advanced phones in the market. However, people clamor for its new releases. Carrying an iPhone became a status symbol. These situations highlight the power of branding.

WHAT IS A BRAND?

A brand is more than just a name! It is a culmination of a consumer’s experiences with a recognizable product. Branding makes your products stand out from the rest. With the right strategies, a brand is powerful and can often lead to competitive advantage. You see, a brand develops loyalty among consumers. People are more willing to pay more for their preferred brands.

WHAT IS A LOGO?

A logo is the pictorial persona attached to the brand. It is one of the key elements that help build a trustworthy relationship between the product/service and the target audience themselves. A good logo is memorable, functional, and meaningful. Your logo must reflect the concept of your products or services. Moreover, the logo must include both the visual and conceptual values of the brand.

If a logo is not memorable, the consumers can dissociate it with the brand. For instance, we all know that a big checkmark is associated with Nike and its slogan: “just do it”. Design and branding consultants can help you develop an efficient way to communicate your brand to your target audience. This includes logo design.

HOW CAN INVESTORS PUT VALUE ON A BRAND?

Although brands are valuable to companies, brands are still considered among the intangible assets. Investors can put value on a brand by using these three main approaches.

#1: CALCULATE THE BRAND EQUITY OF A COMPANY

One of the simplest ways to put a value on a brand is to calculate the brand equity of a company. Take a firm’s enterprise value and subtract the tangible assets and intangible assets that can be identified (e.g., patents).

#2: FOCUS ON THE PRICING POWER OF A COMPANY

The next approach focuses on the pricing power of the company. Investors want to know how much of a premium the company can charge above its competitor’s product. To give the annual figure for how much the brand is worth, this premium can be multiplied by the units sold.

#3: COMBINE DIFFERENT APPROACHES

Perhaps the most time-consuming approach is to combine the above approaches with the proprietary measures of brand strength, the role of the brand in consumer decisions, and more. This comprehensive approach may not be practical to individual investors.

HOW ARE BRANDS SHIFTING NOW?

Creating a significant connection with people is essential for all organizations and a brand can embody attributes which consumers will feel drawn to. In the last several years, brands have become more visible through social media and other digital platforms. The consumer’s voice is louder and much more public now. There are even websites dedicated to championing the views of the consumers (e.g., TripAdvisor and Yelp).

Image Credits: pixabay.com

Consumers can easily publish their experiences about a certain brand with a few taps on their mobile phones. This amount of convenience can either tarnish or help your brand. Fortunately for you, you have the ability to respond to feedbacks and reviews. Responding to these can have a profound effect on how your brand is perceived. Take some time to think about your responses.

Sources: 1 & 2

How To Sell Your Items Beyond Facebook

Put your entrepreneur shades on and climb into a new terrain – the online business. It can be difficult to navigate, but every new venture presents its own challenges and opportunities.

#1: IDENTIFYING YOUR TARGET MARKET

When your product or service is solidified, research on the target market you aspire to tap. Identifying your target market and competition can help you decide the branding, pricing, and marketing strategies. Your website’s design must be attractive to your potential clients.

For instance, you are planning to sell sportswear. You may focus on several sports groups or teams in Singapore by joining running events or swimming meets.

#2: PICKING AN E-COMMERCE PLATFORM

Choosing the right platform is just as important as the product or service you sell. Ensure that you sign up for an all-in-one solution that allows you to showcase your items and to sell it thru a shopping cart software. This way, you would not need to hire someone to code your transactions. Consider these platforms:

A. Instagram

If you are looking at the contemporary scene whereby Millennials and Centennials frequent, consider opening a shop in Instagram. It is the perfect platform to sell clothes. Furthermore, there are no fees to list your images and there are no companies that will take over your prices. You are the boss!

Create a separate Instagram account with flat lay pictures to showcase your items. Then, put hashtags like #clothessingapore, #sgblogshop, #shopmycloset, #instacloset, #instasale, and #clothesforsale. These tags will help potential clients find your profile.

B. Craigslist

For local selling that goes straight to the point, try posting in Craigslist. This website may not look as flashy as other marketplaces, but it is reliable. It will connect you to buyers using your own terms. It is free to list and sell. Just meet up with the buyer to complete the transaction.

Simply look for the category that you are eyeing for and list the item you want to sell. People are attracted to Craigslist due to its simplistic nature.

C. Etsy

For people who love to sell artistic homegrown goods, they go to Etsy. It is one of the biggest online platforms across the globe, which houses unique and quirky products.

I often go to Etsy to search for craftsy items that my friends will be delighted to receive as gifts.

#3: CREATING YOUR ONLINE STORE

The final step is to build your online store. Customize a theme that will attract your clients. Follow your branding. You may also set up folders or categories for each item you upload. Put as much information as you can.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

Lastly, you may assign shipping and payment methods to ease the process. Consider websites that allow you to build a page for free such as wix.com.

The dangers of social media fixation

Why teens are susceptible to social media fixation

Warning signs that your teen may be addicted to social media

Be the bigger person

The psychology of hate comments

Responding to them only makes it worse

If you decide to respond to a hate comment, what should you say?

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