Social Media: A Tool for Self-Expression

Social Media: A Tool for Self-Expression

By VSA Student
Grade 7

What would happen if we took away the very tools that teenagers use to express themselves? These tools include social media, which is any app or platform that incorporates other user engagement. Keeping social media would prevent loneliness and would instead provide a community where they can enjoy themselves, learn, and connect with their loved ones. Plus, it gives you a sense of belonging which can help people, especially young teens to combat their disconnection and sadness. Taking away social media is unfair because young teenagers use these platforms to connect with friends/family, learn, and for entertainment.

Initially, young teenagers use several social media platforms to connect with friends and family, such as Messages, WhatsApp, Snapchat, Instagram, TikTok, and more. These apps let them bond with each other online when it isn’t possible for them to physically meet up with each other. Sometimes, many families aren’t able to see their loved ones. For example, if one’s sister is away at college and he/she/they really want to see her, they could easily tap a button on the phone and FaceTime. This strengthens the bonds within the family, and it helps them become closer together. Another example is Norc.org, it states, “…62% say direct messaging with family and close friends makes them feel extremely or very happy, making direct messaging the most enjoyed feature of online communication platforms.” This shows that messaging is extremely enjoyed by young teens when they are connecting with their family members or friends. It is an opportunity to tie relationships and friendships closer. Another example is from Pewresearch.com. In the text, it states, “More than eight-in-ten (83%) social media-using teens social media makes them more connected to information about what is happening in their friends’ lives and 70% say these social platforms better connect them to their friends’ feelings.” Friendships can be more understanding when you use social media. Based upon the quote above, it is shown that more friends are acknowledging when using social media, mostly Snapchat. Conclusively, social media plays a big role in helping young teens connect with their friends and family. 

Furthermore, certain platforms, like Duolingo and Khan Academy, can educate these young adults. These apps help them learn various subjects, like a different language or distinct math topics, like algebra or geometry. Many of these websites use interactive or personalized training, which makes learning more effective. In addition, platforms such as Khan Academy even has a comment section underneath their videos and articles for one to ask questions in case they don’t understand something. This is important as people can answer your unknown questions, because the owner will not always be able to see it. Additionally, Duolingo has leaderboards and ‘add friends’ which can help you connect with your friends and community. For example, on elearningindustry.com, it states, “Students can learn at their own pace…enhances the learning experience…Many apps use games, quizzes, videos, and animations to make complex subjects easier…improves retention and understanding.” Many teenagers have a hard time learning with a traditional textbook and pencil. Therefore, many platforms now have creative ways for teens to learn, including games and animations. This makes learning both efficient and effective. In addition, this allows the student to learn at their own speed, because everyone learns differently. To sum it up, many apps educate young teens in both an effective and efficient way. 

Moreover, teenagers are able to use diverse apps like Block Blast, Brawl Stars, Roblox, and so much more their entertainment when they lack fun. This helps them take a break from their activity, and they can have a bit of fun, as it isn’t good for your body to always concentrate on one thing. A lot of teenagers may feel excluded or lonely at school, or they might be introverted. Gaming can help them befriend many people behind the screen, which would be very helpful to the shy and timid people. Additionally, one can create games on certain platforms such as Roblox and Minecraft. This allows them to express their creativity through designing digital games. Other users can access the games and help expand it, making the games superior. They can work together to add on, which can make them connect and perhaps even befriend each other. According to parents.au.reachout.com, it states, “Gaming is a positive experience for a lot of teens. It can benefit their wellbeing by providing stress relief and relaxation…helping them to keep in touch with and feel connected to friends.” Teenagers, when bored, can game with their friends, which serves multiple purposes such as providing both entertainment and closer relationships. In short, when teenagers lack fun, they can use social media for entertainment. 

However, teenagers having social media could be risky and dangerous. For example, many social media apps such as Instagram or TikTok have features such as likes, shares, comments, etc. This could lead to an addictive habit of always comparing themselves to others’ highlights, which could lead to diagnosable anxiety disorders, low self-esteem, and potentially fatal diseases. On top of that, it could cause sleep deprivation, which impacts their grades in school. Nevertheless, one could argue that seeing others succeed could also motivate teens to grow and become better people themselves, like developing their own skills. In addition, the younger they learn how to adapt to the digital world, the better, as shielding them from something that we can’t avoid isn’t necessarily a good thing. To conclude, although there are downsides to social media, if we teach them how to rightfully use social media, it could be for the greater good.

Conclusively, though raising the minimum age for social media to 18 may seem protective and shielding, it could do more harm than good. Social media is a powerful tool for teenagers to connect with their friends and family, to be educated, and for entertainment. Raising the age isolates teens from a space where they can connect, learn, and have fun. Do you think we are protecting the teenagers or are we just avoiding the necessary?