In today’s generation, social media is an important part of our lives. Whether you use it to check messages, post on your story, or stalk your new crush, it has become a big part of most teens’ lives.  However, exposure to wildly unrealistic beauty standards, negative influences, and hateful speech takes a toll on people, especially teens. Not only that, but social media vastly opens the world of cyberbullying. People are more inclined to say and do things that they wouldn’t typically do in real life. Social media won’t disappear any time soon, so it should be our responsibility to show others how to use it responsibly.

For most teens, social media promotes unrealistic standards to hold up to. It creates an environment of constant comparison that may be draining. When adding to their highlights on Instagram, they have to pick and choose through pictures and judge whether or not they meet the standards of their peers. This may become a competition among peers, putting pressure on trying to achieve unnecessary or unattainable standards.

This, however, does not mean social media is bad as a whole. When used for the right reason, and in the right ways, it can be used as a positive space for people to connect. Businesses use social media to reach more people and musical artists use it to promote their music. Others use it to communicate with friends and family who may live far away. It can also be used to promote a subject you feel strongly about so more people feel drawn to help.

Overall, social media isn’t bad when it is used in the right way. It can potentially promote bad behavior, depending on how it’s used. When it is used in the right way, it can be a space for positive communication and connecting to loved ones. If even one person tries to make it a safe space for everyone involved, it can start a chain reaction. If more people follow their lead, hopefully, one day social media can be a positive outlet for everybody. I challenge you to rethink the way you use social media and to find a way to show those around you what a positive outlet it could be.

Feel free to comment on ways that you use social media as a positive outlet!!