Social Media: Hinderance or Help? by Holly

Social Media: Hinderance or Help? by Holly - March 2022 Scholarship Essay

Social media is both a hindrance and a tool. In today’s society, social media is not only used for interacting with others, but it is also used as a news source. One can find the answers to any questions that he or she may come across. Social media apps such as Tiktok, Instagram, Twitter, and Snapchat are all commonly used by teenagers. On these platforms, users are allowed to post their opinions and views with no proof or liability. As a result, many young people get their “news” from these oftentimes unreliable sources. Another use of social media is podcasts. Podcasts are brilliant. A person can find a podcast on any subject they are interested in, from sports to the invasion of Ukraine. Similarly, I use Youtube as a platform for many of the same reasons. What I really like about youtube is the videos you can watch when you are learning a new skill. This is beneficial to visual and kinesthetic learners like me. By using these resources responsibly, a student can definitely benefit from social media. Teenagers are becoming more informed about what is happening in the world due to applications like these. Although the information may be opinionated or not completely accurate, it may still spike curiosity which will cause them to ask questions. When our youth is rightfully educated, the future is secure and promising. Social media may also provide education through advertisements for learning apps or educational videos. There are many free online tutors on Instagram and Tiktok who make videos about different school subjects such as Math or History. These videos and instructive accounts may present the information in new ways that the students understand.
In my experience, social media has had both positive and negative effects on my education and my life in general. Due to apps such as Instagram and Tiktok, I am pretty informed on what is happening in the world around me. I have learned a few math tricks and picked up new information about current events. However, these apps have also caused me to lose confidence in my self image. Because of this, I sometimes find myself more worried about what I look like instead of the homework I had been assigned or the test I needed to study for.
No matter how a person looks at it, it is clear that social media affects the education of today’s youth. As technology continues to advance, education will continue to change.