Frequently Asked Questions

Apps like TikTok, Instagram, and Snapchat are popular with younger people because they’re fun and easy to use. They help us stay connected with friends, share parts of our lives, and keep up with new trends. The filters, videos, and constant new content make them really entertaining.

Trends or challenges online spread so fast due to a multitude of reasons. First, we as humans crave social validation, and this is especially adolescents who are still finding themselves and want a sense of "fitting in," especially with people who they see as well liked. Secondly, social media is full of algorithms that make sure you see what you "want" to see. Finally, trends and challenges online are being presented on a constant rapid-fire. Platforms make sure that you are able to see a lot of content in a short amount of time in order to continue the cycle of trends. 

As with many things where it is difficult to stop, take a break from, or change habits after investing so much time into it, people develop a dependency on social media. Through constant usage, people slowly become more and more dependent on social media and its impact on us/our brains. Through the release of neurotransmitters, constant usage of social media causes the brain to associate social media (or specific aspects of it) with satisfaction and "feeling good", meaning people will innately seek out using social media more to continually get that good feeling; we have effectively created a dependency on social media. To take a break from social media would be limiting the opportunities for a "fix" of social media, almost like breaking an addiction that is incredibly difficult to overcome.

Social media has a lot of uses and each individual person uses it in a different way but a lot of young people today use social media as a way to stay entertained and to be in the know with current tends, friends, pop culture, etc. With all of the platforms that is available to young people, each platform gives them a different reason to be on it. Snapchat, Instagram, and Facebook gives people a way to connect to friends and family.  Youtube and TikTok gives people an outlet to express their identity, make creative content, and share their experiences. While social media can come with a lot of challenges, many young people today are using it in a lot of positive ways and it can be a great tool if used safely for identity, relationships, and more.

When determining which accounts or news sources to trust, prioritize those that share information from verified and reputable organizations such as established news outlets, universities, or government agencies. Reliable sources provide evidence, cite experts, and include links to original information rather than relying on opinions or vague claims. They are also transparent about who manages the account and avoid using overly emotional or sensational language. To ensure accuracy, always cross-check information with multiple credible sources before believing or sharing it.

Privacy and independence is an appreciated factor for any human at any age. This is why it seems hard for a parent to understand the limits of privacy and independence. This all correlates to a feeling of "trust". As a child I wanted independence and privacy just as much as I do as an adult now, but certain limitations put in by my parents made me feel as if they didn't trust me. An invasion of privacy and independence unprovoked, is what causes an untrusted sense of feeling. The more of a "control" factor a parent plays, correlates to how a child may feel about a connection of trust. Privacy and independence online, can be a major factor to identity for many children, and it may be harmful to add limitations.

I believe the best way to create a healthy balance between online and offline life is to set limits for yourself. In both aspects limits are important. Spending too much time online can lead to us falling into the monotony and the comparison of our lives to those that we see through our screens. If we spend too much time out and about in our offline life we can get burned out and end up overcompensating with more time online. So all in all creating limits for yourself can lead to that healthy balance.

New technology is always being added that needs to be adjusted to as time goes on. This is why it was harder for our parents to understand growing up in a digital world, as they simply didn't grow up in it. The things I wish were understood about a digital world is the social benefits. Friendships can maintain or be created through connecting digitally with friends. The strength of social media is it can help reinforce healthy social relations a good portion of time. Growing up, parents tend to look at a digital experience as a bad thing overall. The reality however, is that the digital world is a world full of social potency that can have major connection potential for peers. It is amazing to communicate to a friend digitally, when relationships can feel so disconnected and distant.

Social Media influences what we believe and think because it is constantly showing us trends, ideas, and how other people live their lives. Seeing these things can change our own ideas about ourselves and the world around us. It can impact who we are, what we like, and what we believe, but it can also make us compare ourselves to others or adopt ideas without really thinking about them. Because of this it is important to reflect on and pay attention to how social media affects us and our ideas.

Honestly, influencers have a big impact on me because when I see someone I like using or wearing something, it makes me want it too, since it feels more real coming from them than from ads. But it also affects us because we start comparing ourselves to them, trying to keep up with their trends, and sometimes spending money or changing ourselves just to fit in.