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    KRIS HURLEY - Opinion Essay.pdf

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    KRIS HURLEY - Opinion Essay.pdf

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    KRIS HURLEY - Opinion Essay.pdf

    Uploaded by

    krisjhurley

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    © All Rights Reserved
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    of 3

    Kris J Hurley2

    SPS v Social Media Opinion Essay Per 2

    `
    The fight between Seattle Public Schools (SPS) and Meta shows worries about how social media
    affects young people's mental health. There's proof that it's not good for teenagers, causing problems like
    distorted self-perception and more online bullying. Meta's platforms, like Facebook, focus on keeping
    users hooked, which can lead to addiction and harm mental health.
    To start off, diving into the world of social media reveals more than just a stream of idealized
    images—it unravels a significant challenge for young teens and kids. But why does exposure to these
    platforms impact them so much? Exposure to social media platforms presents a significant challenge for
    young teens or kids, impacting how they perceive themselves and their lives. “The incessant stream of
    idealized images depicting idyllic vacations, flawless physiques, and seemingly perfect existences often
    generates a sense of self-doubt among teenagers.”(Child Mind Institute-Jacobson) As noted by the Child
    Mind Institute, these images can cause feelings of inadequacy and uncertainty about one's appearance,
    interests, and identity. Research from emotionmatters.co indicates that 88% of women compare
    themselves to pictures on social media, and more than half feel it's not a good comparison. For men, 65%
    do the same, and about 37% find the comparison unfavorable.
    It becomes evident that the challenges extend beyond self-doubt and inadequacy. Online bullying
    takes a toll on teens' mental well-being. According to the Pew Research Center, online harassment among
    youth comes in various forms, with 42% of teens experiencing name-calling, 32% having false rumors
    spread about them, 21% facing weird questions about their activities, and 16% being subjected to physical
    threats online. This data underlines the effect of online bullying, highlighting its harmful impact on teens'
    mental well-being. The Pew Research Center notes, "The most common type of harassment youth
    encounter online is name-calling. Some 42% of teens say they have been called offensive names online or
    via their cellphone."I myself have been doxed, bullied, and pressured into doing things just for attention
    online just as people report in data shown.
    Besides the harm from harassment, there's a systemic issue evident in how social media
    platforms prioritize their goals. According to a study in BMC Psychology called “Pros & cons: impacts of
    social media on mental health”, social media platforms tend to prioritize getting users hooked rather than
    looking out for their well-being. This focus on engagement often leads to addictive behavior. The study
    links this approach to increased body image dissatisfaction, a higher risk of addiction and cyberbullying,
    and negative effects on mood. Excessive use also relates to feelings of loneliness and a fear of missing
    out, impacting overall life satisfaction. This research highlights how these platforms' designs may
    contribute to addiction and worsen mental health issues.
    In this conflict, some suggest a different approach. Rather than solely blaming these platforms,
    there's a belief that teaching responsible social media use to kids could be more effective. Research, like
    Smith et al.'s (2013) study, indicates that understanding what's on platforms like Facebook can predict
    how well someone handles social media. Helping kids understand how to use social media responsibly
    could make a big difference. Teaching them about privacy settings, what to watch out for online, and how
    to think critically about what they see can help them make better choices. When young people know how
    to navigate social media well, they tend to be more careful and thoughtful about what they post and
    share.Using the lawsuit money to teach kids in schools about safe social media use can make the online
    world safer by covering things like privacy, being aware online, and thinking carefully about what they
    share.
    Kris J Hurley2
    SPS v Social Media Opinion Essay Per 2

    In conclusion, the tussle between Seattle Public Schools and Meta brings attention to concerns
    about how social media affects young people's well-being. There's evidence showing it's not great for
    teenagers, leading to issues like low self-esteem and online bullying. Platforms like Facebook from Meta
    seem more focused on keeping users hooked, which isn't good for mental health. From my own
    experiences, teaching kids how to use social media responsibly could be a key solution to these problems.
    Instead of just blaming the platforms, some believe that guiding kids to be responsible online could be
    more effective. If we use the lawsuit money to teach schools about safe social media use, covering aspects
    like privacy and thinking before sharing, it could contribute to making the online world a safer place.
    Kris J Hurley2
    SPS v Social Media Opinion Essay Per 2

    Works Cited

    Jacobson, Rae. “Social Media and Self-Esteem | Impact of Social Media on Youth.” Child Mind Institute,

    21 November 2023, https://childmind.org/article/social-media-and-self-doubt/. Accessed 8

    January 2024.

    McSwine, Damien. “.,.” ., - YouTube, 7 November 2023,

    https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0747563213004792. Accessed 8 January

    2024.

    “Pros & cons: impacts of social media on mental health - BMC Psychology.” BMC Psychology, 6 July

    2023, https://bmcpsychology.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s40359-023-01243-x. Accessed

    8 January 2024.

    “Teens, Social Media & Technology 2018.” Pew Research Center, 31 May 2018,

    https://www.pewresearch.org/internet/2018/05/31/teens-social-media-technology-2018/. Accessed

    8 January 2024.

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