Social Media Isn't All Bad… Is It?
By Ryani Durham
Whether it be Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook, society has always had something negative to say about social media. Older generations claim that these websites and more have turned their kids and grand-kids
into mindless, self-centered zombies. Adults are so busy trying to get us off of our phones that they don’t take the time to learn about the positive effects social media has on us teens.
According to child advocacy group, Common Sense Media, one in five teens said that social media makes them more confident versus the 4% that said it made them feel less so. Being a teenager is hard, but being a teen with body image and self confidence issues is even harder. Some teens feel that posting their pictures online gives them the confidence they need to face the world. They also feel more inspired to post pictures if they are encouraged with positive comments.
In a survey of over 1,000 13 to 17 year olds, 28% said that social media made them feel more outgoing compared to the 5% that said it made them feel less so. For some of us, making friends can be difficult. With the help of social media, being outgoing and making friends is as simple as commenting on someone’s picture or instant messaging them a hello. A study on the website “The Guardian” shows that one in ten people have met their best friend online.
Social media has not only made us self aware, it has also made us culturally and globally aware. In this era of technology, many teens get their news through social media. With millions of users from various countries online, news travels faster than ever before.
The positives of social media heavily outweigh the negatives as the positives can be very encouraging and super resourceful. Older generations should stop focusing so much on how mindless their kids might become and should instead focus on how self aware and confident we are.
By Ryani Durham
Whether it be Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook, society has always had something negative to say about social media. Older generations claim that these websites and more have turned their kids and grand-kids
into mindless, self-centered zombies. Adults are so busy trying to get us off of our phones that they don’t take the time to learn about the positive effects social media has on us teens.
According to child advocacy group, Common Sense Media, one in five teens said that social media makes them more confident versus the 4% that said it made them feel less so. Being a teenager is hard, but being a teen with body image and self confidence issues is even harder. Some teens feel that posting their pictures online gives them the confidence they need to face the world. They also feel more inspired to post pictures if they are encouraged with positive comments.
In a survey of over 1,000 13 to 17 year olds, 28% said that social media made them feel more outgoing compared to the 5% that said it made them feel less so. For some of us, making friends can be difficult. With the help of social media, being outgoing and making friends is as simple as commenting on someone’s picture or instant messaging them a hello. A study on the website “The Guardian” shows that one in ten people have met their best friend online.
Social media has not only made us self aware, it has also made us culturally and globally aware. In this era of technology, many teens get their news through social media. With millions of users from various countries online, news travels faster than ever before.
The positives of social media heavily outweigh the negatives as the positives can be very encouraging and super resourceful. Older generations should stop focusing so much on how mindless their kids might become and should instead focus on how self aware and confident we are.