Social Media — 11/21

             Before you even open your eyes, you reach for the phone that is right next to your bed. You immediately check Facebook and Instagram to see the latest news or what your friends did yesterday night. Social media is incorporated into almost everyone's daily routine, regardless of their age. It is an easy way to connect with people from your town or another part of the world. This seamless connection is dangerous in retrospect. Young girls and boys are putting their private information online where anyone can see or hack into easily. Strangers can see what they look like, how old they are, and even where they live. This can put users at risk. In addition, many young teens specifically, compare themselves to the people they see online. They start comparing themselves to the person on their screen. Suddenly, they see fat thighs, rolls on their stomach, and a big nose. Their flaws make them feel insecure and like something is wrong with them. This is very dangerous because people are comparing themselves to a picture that has been retouched. Some people think the person looks like that in real life and they start having unrealistic expectations for themselves. Down the road, boys and girls can develop distorted body images and even eating disorders. Social media has also been used to bully people. Many LGBTQ teens have died because of their sexual orientation. The people hiding behind a screen managed to make them kill themselves. People waste their time sending cruel messages and tormenting others in hopes of making themselves feel better about themselves. Many people use and abuse social media and doing so can put themselves or others out in the open for anyone with access to Wifi to see.