One thing that a high school student will always have is their cell phone. Whether they are checking social media, messaging their friends, or catching up on the latest news, social media has become a crucial part of life for many high school students.
Ever since the rise of social media, journalism has spread through all platforms. In recent years, the reliance on social media has skyrocketed, particularly in teens and young adults.
According to the Pew Research Center, 95 percent of teens have access to a smartphone, and nearly 90 percent say they use social media everyday. For many students, it is not just a way to stay connected with friends, but to keep up with trends and news.
However, this connection with social media came with its downsides. Teachers have noticed that the constant use of social media has affected students’ focus, work performance, and mental health. Teachers also found that social media restricts the students ability to research.
Some students have noticed that their phones have started preventing them from getting things done. “I think phones do distract students,” says sophomore Melissa Segura.”Sometimes it keeps us from doing work.”
On the other hand, some students believe that having their phones help them focus better. “I mean if anything, it does the opposite of making it harder to focus,” said sophomore Kaylee Joge. “I work better when I’m listening to music because it keeps me in the zone.”
Despite the drawback, students say that social media helps express themselves, build community, and make more friends. For artists,athletes, and clubs, social media is a way for them to showcase their talents and achievements.
So the question is, does social media seem to be helping or hurting high school students? The answer appears to be yes and no. Social media offers an outlet for students to freely express themselves and their individuality. However, social media badly influences the focus and mental health of students.
As the problem of the overuse of social media is rising, schools are trying to minimize the use of phones in the school building. Some schools have already started to implement a phone-free policy.
