The improvement in technology has been vastly beneficial to the medical world and even the educational world. The usage of computers and online schools has helped students around the world receive the best education possible. Although these improvements have helped students in some ways, technology has also hurt students. Personally, I believe that social media is one of the worst things that has happened in the 21st century, especially for children and teens. The huge addiction that social media has become for kids and teens is real and it is scary. Even as I write this blog post I keep having to restrict myself from going on my phone to check on my social media posts and updates. Having 24/7 updates on every person's life is not healthy whatsoever. I believe that the reason for the increase of anxiety and depression for kids and teens is due to social media.
The documentary, The True Toxicity of Social Media Revealed the film explains how toxic and dangerous the excessive usage of social media is to young kids and teens. The documentary explains how social media is just a "constant loop of toxicity". I couldn't agree more with this statement. Recently I have tried using social media less and less because I have experienced the toxic environment first hand. Even though I have tried my best to use social media less for my mental well being I still see myself in the toxic loop every once in a while. Social media allows anyone to constantly be able to check up on whoever they want at any time they want. This statement is so frightening because it rips away any form of privacy a person has. This free access to social media also always gives easy access to bullying and sexting to young teens which could be detrimental to their well-being.
Sexting has become more common for teens as social media has also become more common. In the article by AASA, they explain how sexting has increased in recent years. The long-lasting effects that sexting has on these teens are the harassment and bullying they receive. The article even claims that “In one case in Cincinnati, a girl committed suicide after photos she sent to a boyfriend were sent to hundreds of people. The girl received harassing messages through her MySpace and Facebook accounts, and in-person.” Social media allows these inappropriate photos to be sent to hundreds in one click. That power that someone can have over someone is awful and could lead to awful actions such as depression and in worse cases, suicide.
As a future educator, I hope I can bring social media to my classroom as a way to benefit my students' education. There are a few years before I become a teacher and in those years I hope that social media becomes more of a safe place for kids and teens. Although that is a far-fetched dream I have, there have already been some improvements of social media being incorporated into schools. Apps such as Group Me have improved the educational environment in many beneficial ways. In the time from now till I'm a teacher my dream is that technology and social media improve so that I am able to safely incorporate them into my classroom.
References
Sexting. (n.d.). The School Superintendents Association (AASA). Link
Klein, A. (2019, September 6). Schools say no to cell phones. But is it a smart move? Education Week. Link
Kamenetz, A. (2019, August 27). NPR's The Scientific Debate over Teens, Screens, and Mental Health. National Public Radio. Link
Willett, R. (Director). (2019). Plugged-In: The Toxicity of Social Media Revealed. [YouTube Video]. Brick in the Wall Media.
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