Way to grow: growing up in the "social media" era by Ashley

Way to grow: growing up in the "social media" era by Ashley - June 2014 Scholarship Essay

If I were to ever write a book it would be about growing up this generation and how to handle the pressures of today. We live in the social media era and it is so different for this generation than it was for previous generations. Older generations can always give sane advice, but they themselves did not have to grow up during this era and therefore cannot give advice for everything. This generation is the first to experience the twenty-four constant media glare. Nowadays kids growing are bombarded with all these ideas of how they are supposed to grow up, how they are supposed to look, what they should wear, what music they should listen to, the list goes on.

From the time a child is old enough to comprehend things to an extent television commercials, music, magazines,and countless other media outlets influencing how they will develop and affect their ability to perceive things as they really are. I think there should be a book for parents and children explaining how to deal with these constant pressures and influences that could have a detrimental affect on the following generations to come. Some of the topics in my book would include the psychological affect media plays on children from a young age, how parents can help steer their children in the right direction, and how media manipulates everyone no matter the age. Media affects how we see people, other countries, musicians, celebrities, food, clothes, the list is endless. What is so costly about the social media is that it can be the fall of many people.

Their are many downsides to the social media. Often times teenagers and young adults post foolish things that will be held on their record and that they will be held accountable for for the rest of their lives. Many people do not get into the college of their choice or cannot get the job of their choice because of foolish things they posted when they were younger. I also think social media allows for bullying, harassment,and stalking at a higher level. It is so crucial that young children and young adults are conscientious of how they conduct themselves in public and/or what they decide to post, that is what my novel would consist of, ways to deal with the ever growing presence of the media and how to avoid getting into trouble because of it.