This is risky. It’s habit-forming. Put your phone down.
Children are frequently told about the downsides of social media by the adults around them, often through dire warnings and orders. Yet, these adults did not grow up embedded in social media culture.
They weren’t handed a phone as toddlers to keep quiet in restaurants. They didn’t engage with TikTok’s predecessor, Musical.ly, or dance foolishly before learning to read. Their connections with friends were not limited to screens when schools shut down during a global pandemic.
Children growing up in the age of social media are navigating a distinctly new landscape. As they mature, they seem eager to share advice with their younger counterparts.
I hope they understand what they should know when they venture online.
Baol, 18, will take a photo in Nashville, Tennessee on Tuesday, April 23, 2024 (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
You don't have to share everything
“It’s so easy to see a friend’s story and feel this overwhelming sense of FOMO. It’s like this pressure to compare yourself, but remember that what people share on social media is just 1% of their reality, a highlight reel they choose to show others.”
Baol, 18, Vanderbilt University freshman
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Don't take it too seriously
“The key takeaway from my advice is to not overthink it. Just be yourself. I believe what I experienced at twelve was far more limited than what today’s twelve-year-olds have access to. When I was younger, I should have enjoyed my childhood.
Doreen Maratha, 22, senior at the University of Maryland
“It may feel easy to put your phone aside and stop scrolling, but in reality, it isn’t. If there’s any advice you could give to your younger self, encourage your parents to set a time limit for you.
Siena Keene, 17 years old, senior at a high school in Orinda, California.
You are the one who controls
“Though I often hear the term ‘social media user,’ it feels more like I’m in a routine of scrolling and comparing myself to others on platforms like TikTok.
Social media can be a tool to amplify your passions, but it requires significant effort beyond what’s visible online.”
Lea Nepomuceno, 18, George Washington University freshman
“I find social media unproductive. It becomes a time sink; the conversations often revolve around trivial pop culture topics without any meaningful substance. It feels somewhat pointless.”
Michael McConnen, 18, freshman at American University
“Many people create an artificial representation of their lives online, and I hope they understand that social media can be a powerful tool for learning. It offers a wealth of information and the opportunity to discover much more.”
Noor Mahmoud, 21 years old, junior at Commonwealth University, Virginia.