By SHAYLYNN

GOODREAU- KANGAS

8-18 Media

Special to the Journal

It is almost astounding how teenagers can become addicted to their electronic devices. Social media can be defined as many things. It can be an outlet used to share funny videos. Or it could be an ideal way to cyberbully.

Platforms such as Facebook, Snapchat, Instagram, Tik Tok, and Twitter are all platforms that may result in toxic drama. According to the Liberty Champion website, teenagers from the age of 12 and up are the most likely to become interested in social media. But why is social media so addicting?

In my case, my sister continually asks me why I don’t have social media. There are many reasons but it boils down to one fact. Social media often leads to frustration or anxiety. Due to my sister being quite a bit older than myself, she has more opportunities along with maturity (maybe not so much maturity) when it comes to social media. “Social media is training us to compare our lives instead of appreciating everything we are. No wonder why everyone is always depressed.” This is a quote by Bill Murray. It tells of how we depend on other people’s pictures to show what we should look like instead of what we are actually like.

People often express themselves through their wardrobe. However, filters can be used to highlight certain aspects of the body to make it look more like what is considered “appealing” or what is expected. But why bother with any of that? Why do we feel the need to compare ourselves to someone we don’t even know? Even if we were to know the person, it doesn’t mean we have to fake who we truly are. Nobody in this whole world is perfect. Who said that’s a bad thing though? Our differences and imperfections are what makes us truly unique and special.

Have you ever seen a person texting on their phones when there is someone seated directly across from them? I wish I had the answer for why this is but sometimes it can’t be helped. When I was a kid, I didn’t have a phone so whenever I wanted to visit a friend, I would borrow my mom’s. Sometimes I really miss those days. They were simpler times with less drama and more enjoyable moments. Although, that’s typically what childhood is. When a phone pops into the picture, drama, chaos and difficult times usually befall a teenager. Nevertheless, they are quite useful when information for an assignment becomes troublesome to find in a set of guided notes.

While stacking this information together may seem irrelevant to some, the disadvantages must always be considered regarding decisions. Being that I do not have social media, it feels rather liberating. While it may not have seemed that way when I first got a phone, it does now. Teenagers who have social media are typically overjoyed, frequently anxious, or simply do not care either way. There will always be advantages regarding the prospect of social media. However, it is increasingly possible to become sidetracked from what is right in front of you when you continually stare at a screen.

EDITORS NOTE:  Shaylynn is a junior. She loves mashed potatoes, chocolate, reading, and biking.