Social Media
Victoria Shanahan
Victoria Shanahan
Social Media has changed significantly over the past ten years. New apps and updates have given social media a new look. About 77 percent of people in the US have a social media account and about 2.34 billion people have an account worldwide.
Social media can be beneficial in many ways, Kaya Brock, a student at Hillgrove High School said she primary uses social media to talk to friends and family and see what they are doing. Tyler Logan, a sophomore at Hillgrove High School stated, “I use social media for multiple reasons like keeping in touch with friends and seeing all the cool things they do and they can see what I am doing, watch funny videos, and I post pictures on Instagram to advertise for clothes shopping.” Social media can be used for not only personal use but also business. There are thousands of businesses that have Instagram or Facebook accounts that they use to advertise themselves. Also, there is a social media network called LinkedIn that is specifically a business network made to help people find jobs and trustworthy professionals.
Although social media is supposed to be positive, it can also be harmful. Kaitlin Jackson, a student at Hillgrove High School, said, “I have seen many people get made fun of or bullied on social media, like people saying they were ugly or no one liked them, and social media gives them a screen to hide behind.” Having all these negative things said about you can be very hurtful and Kaya Brock said, “Social media can be very negative because when people see hurtful things being said about them it can make them self-conscious or depressed, but it can also be very positive because people can say very nice things about you that will boost your confidence.” Schools and parents have helped prevent as much cyber bullying as possible but it will be very hard to totally get rid of it.
When making an account or signing up for social media, not a lot of people know about the privacy policies and the amount of information someone can gather on you by just seeing your account. Cambridge Analytica is a company that is allowed to gain information by the profiles you view, things you search, people you follow, and the things you say while you are in the app. Facebook has allegedly used that information and invaded peoples’ privacy without their permission to help the Trump campaign. Tyler Logan said, “I heard about that scandal, which is kind of creepy that they can get that information but the more important things you should not put on your accounts just in case something like that ever happens again.”
Social media will always have its ups and downs to it but it will continue to grow in our future generations.
Social media can be beneficial in many ways, Kaya Brock, a student at Hillgrove High School said she primary uses social media to talk to friends and family and see what they are doing. Tyler Logan, a sophomore at Hillgrove High School stated, “I use social media for multiple reasons like keeping in touch with friends and seeing all the cool things they do and they can see what I am doing, watch funny videos, and I post pictures on Instagram to advertise for clothes shopping.” Social media can be used for not only personal use but also business. There are thousands of businesses that have Instagram or Facebook accounts that they use to advertise themselves. Also, there is a social media network called LinkedIn that is specifically a business network made to help people find jobs and trustworthy professionals.
Although social media is supposed to be positive, it can also be harmful. Kaitlin Jackson, a student at Hillgrove High School, said, “I have seen many people get made fun of or bullied on social media, like people saying they were ugly or no one liked them, and social media gives them a screen to hide behind.” Having all these negative things said about you can be very hurtful and Kaya Brock said, “Social media can be very negative because when people see hurtful things being said about them it can make them self-conscious or depressed, but it can also be very positive because people can say very nice things about you that will boost your confidence.” Schools and parents have helped prevent as much cyber bullying as possible but it will be very hard to totally get rid of it.
When making an account or signing up for social media, not a lot of people know about the privacy policies and the amount of information someone can gather on you by just seeing your account. Cambridge Analytica is a company that is allowed to gain information by the profiles you view, things you search, people you follow, and the things you say while you are in the app. Facebook has allegedly used that information and invaded peoples’ privacy without their permission to help the Trump campaign. Tyler Logan said, “I heard about that scandal, which is kind of creepy that they can get that information but the more important things you should not put on your accounts just in case something like that ever happens again.”
Social media will always have its ups and downs to it but it will continue to grow in our future generations.