“Look, I have new followers on Instagram!” “I have over 500 friends on Facebook!” It is clear that social media has taken over our lives. Many people have instinctually felt that this cannot be healthy — surely personal, face to face relationships are much more fulfilling!
When scrolling on social media, you can see anything from pictures of your extended family to your favorite celebrities’ new tour dates. However, social media does not just highlight the positives. Each time we click on one of these apps, are met with sad news stories, negative opinions and drama we may otherwise avoid. As social media has continued to grow, it has been a standard among adolescents and young adults. Safer Internet Day was created to spread awareness about the power of the internet and how these platforms can be misused. Research has shown that the time we spend on social media increases our feelings of jealousy, conflicts with social media friends over their posts, and increases the time it takes for us to get over our last breakup.
The Pew Research Center has calculated that 67% of teenagers who are avid social media users have been victims of cyberbullying. Hiding behind a screen, allows the bully to share their rude claims without fear of retaliation. This day of awareness is used to further draw attention to the way individuals use social media and how a safer platform will allow these kids to stay on the positive side of technology.
Here are a few suggestions for social media use: