Blog #1: How social media has affected the development of teenagers in the modern day society.

This question interests me because social media has become such a huge part of our everyday lives, especially for teenagers. It’s how most people communicate, share what they’re doing, and stay connected with friends. Apps like TikTok, Instagram, and Snapchat are part of our daily routine. However, it has also made me realize how different our generation’s experience is compared to those who grew up before technology and social media existed.

Back then, teenagers spent more time outside, interacting in person, and forming relationships face-to-face instead of through a screen. People didn’t have to worry about how many likes or followers they had, or the constant comparisons to those they saw online. Today, many teenagers base their confidence and identity on how others see them. Social media has made this problem ten times worse because anyone can comment on their post and say something cruel. We’ve been taught to express ourselves online, but it can feel like people care more about how someone looks rather than who someone really is.

Growing up with or without social media has impacted the way people think, act, and connect with others. It’s interesting to me that older generations had to deal with challenges like fitting in at school, while now, teenagers have to deal with pressure from social media 24/7. By researching this, I hope to understand how much technology has changed the way we grow up, build relationships, and see ourselves in society. I also want to explore both the positive and negative sides, how social media can help people find confidence and community, but also how it can lead to insecurity, comparison, and isolation. It’s crazy to think about how much influence our phones have over everyone around us. I want to learn whether social media is shaping us for the better or worse.