Social Media in Society
The effects are more impactful than we realize
Photo by Delaney Reh
Are we too connected to our social media accounts? What is the impact on the individual for being a part of those communities?
In a world filled with photoshop and online dating, social media has taken over society. A study by Common Sense Media found that teenagers spend an average of nearly nine hours a day consuming media on their phone. In the same study, it was also discovered that 75 percent of American teenagers have social media profiles. It is not arguable that social media clearly affects the mindset of this generation’s life based off of the amount of time people spend interacting online.
Social media can give an altered sense of reality to young individuals. Anyone who has an online profile can admit that they only post the highlights to their life. For teenagers and children, this can hurt their idea of self worth because they are always comparing themselves to other the best pictures, most interesting moments. It’s a constant reminder of what people don’t have in their life.
Teens have turned to the Internet for body validation. Constantly having access to celebrities and models who post their bikini ready bodies are normalizing unrealistic body types. A study by the Keep it Real Campaign found that 80 percent of 10-year-old American girls have been on a diet.
A junior, Phoebe Lawson stated that “the stereotypes and the beauty standards social media gives to boys and girls are just not true!”.
Suicide rates have increased by 30 percent since 1999, according to CDC; many can connect the increase of technology to this epidemic.
Although, social media impacts society in negative ways; it does have some positive aspects. This includes the fact that being a part of different platforms can open someone up to new communities and groups of people.
It has opened the door to an entire world filled with people who one wouldn’t have previously had access to. People now find significant others and friends through different apps and websites.
People are heavily influenced by the technology they use and people they follow online. It’s clear that social media is more meaningful to individuals then just posting flattering photos and funny tweets.
Delaney is a senior at PMHS and it is her third year on The Red and Black. She is the Editor in Chief and in the past has held the title of Photo Editor....
