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Dear Reader,

I am going to be sharing my multigenere research project that was about the influence of social media on socializing. Social media is apart of our everyday lives and has been for a while now. Through multiple genres I hope to illustrate different perspectives of social media’s

influence and share effects of social media that you might not know about.

In my Padlet you’ll find both factual and creative pieces that might answer the questions you could possibly have about the effects of social media.

Sincerely,

Caitlynn Harrington

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In the digital age, social media has become a cornerstone of daily life, transforming the way people interact, share information, and form communities. Platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and X allow individuals to connect instantly across the globe. For businesses and content creators, social media provides a stage to showcase their talents and products to audiences far beyond their local reach. Movements such as #MeToo and Black Lives Matter have shown the power of these platforms in driving social change.

However, this boundless connectivity comes at a price. Experts have raised alarms about the adverse mental health effects tied to social media use. The constant influx of curated images and highlight reels fosters unrealistic standards, leaving many users, particularly adolescents, feeling inadequate.

Despite these challenges, social media is neither inherently good nor bad. It is shaped by how people use it. The solution lies in fostering digital literacy, teaching users how to navigate platforms responsibly, and encouraging self restraint. If used wisely, social media can remain a powerful source for communication, education, and social progress without compromising mental well being or interpersonal connections.

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Social media shines with endless light,

We scroll all day and throughout the night.

It brings us close, yet keeps us far,

A world of screens, where real hearts scar.

It helps us speak, to share and see,

To find our voice, to feel more free.

But in its web, the truth may fade,

And kindness slips into sharp charades.

We chase the likes, the hearts, the fame,

While jealousy plays its silent game.

The perfect posts hide the pain inside,

Where struggles and real life collide.

Its pull is strong, it draws us in,

We lose ourselves, where to begin?

It steals our time, it clouds our mind,

A loop of habits, hard to unwind

Yet it still holds a hopeful part,

It links the world; it warms the heart.

When used with care, it helps us grow,

A tool for good, if we make it so.

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Christina sat cross legged on her bed, her phone glowing in her hands. Her Instagram feed was flooded with flawless selfies, exotic vacations, and the latest trending outfits. She scrolled endlessly, her stomach tightening with every perfect post. Everyone seemed to have a better life than hers, no amount of likes on her pictures could shake that feeling.

Her own profile told a different story, a filtered one. The real Christina wasn’t the girl with radiant glowing skin and perfect locs; she was the one who spent hours tweaking every photo to hide her insecurities. She didn’t post about the nights she cried over her grades or the mornings she stared at herself in the mirror wondering if she was enough.

One day, after posting a picture that took her a hour to edit, Christina watched the likes trickle in. But instead of the usual thrill she felt empty. The compliments in the comments felt hollow. It did not feel as if they were directed at her, it felt as if they were directed at someone else entirely. Her phone buzzed with a notification, a message from her best friend, Liyah.

“Hey, are you okay? I feel like you’ve been distant lately. Wanna talk?”

Christina hesitated. She hadn’t told Liyah how she had been feeling— how she constantly compared herself to people online or how she felt like she could never measure up. For the first time she typed the truth.

“Honestly, I’ve been struggling. I look at everyone online and feel like I’m not good enough. I hate that I care so much about likes and comments, but I can’t stop.”

Liyah replied almost instantly, “Christina I feel the same way sometimes. Social media makes it hard not to compare, but you’re amazing just the way you are. Let’s take a break from it together.”

Christina stared at the screen, a tear slipping down her cheek. She had not realized how much she needed to hear that. The next day she and Liyah decided to do a social media detox for a week. They spent time together without the pressure of capturing every moment for an audience.

By the end of the week Christina felt lighter. She still liked social media, but she realized it did not define her worth. From then on, she promised herself to live for the real moments, not just the filtered ones.

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Rao, B. Narasimha Rao B. Narasimha. “A Study on Positive and Negative Effects of Social Media on Society.” Journal of Science and Technology, vol. 7, no. 10, Dec. 2022, pp. 46–54. https://doi.org/10.46243/jst.2022.v7.i10.pp46-54.

Beyens, Ine, et al. “The Effect of Social Media on Well-being Differs From Adolescent to Adolescent.” Scientific Reports, vol. 10, no. 1, July 2020, https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-67727-7.

Amedie, Jacob. “The Impact of Social Media on Society.” Scholar Commons, scholarcommons.scu.edu/engl_176/2.

Saeed Abbasi, Irum. “Media Censorship: Freedom Versus Responsibility.” Academic Journals, edited by Laila Al-Sharqi, 29 July 2015, academicjournals.org/journal/JLCR/cited-by-article/DCFC77E54997.

Hou, Y., Xiong, D., Jiang, T., Song, L., & Wang, Q. (2019). Social media addiction: Its impact, mediation, and intervention. Cyberpsychology: Journal of Psychosocial Research on Cyberspace, 13(1), Article 4. https://doi.org/10.5817/CP2019-1-4

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Dear Diary,

Do you ever feel like your behind in your life? When I was younger my mom would tell me stories of her childhood and I’d love to hear about them. She had such a fun childhood. She’s also been to college and has had a successful life. Why do I feel like that’s not going to be. No matter what plan I make for myself or what I do to try to get ahead of adulthood it never seems like enough. I feel as if when I come back from MOS training, I’ll have no clue on what my life is supposed to be like, and I’ll start falling behind.

All the time everyday I see kids who are younger than me or my age doing things like getting new cars, apartments, buying a whole bunch of whatever they want, and they make it seem so easy. Seeing those type of things everyday I can’t help but feel like I’m somehow behind in life. Social media has placed and unrealistic standards on life and somehow I can’t help but feed into it. I’m aware it’s toxic and it’s discouraging but if they can have it why can’t I?

I suppose it’s jealousy? Maybe I just long for a lifestyle because I feel like what I have currently isn’t good enough? I don’t know. I just know that everyday I strive to have a life like they have, and it has yet to happen. It’s unfair really.

Hard work doesn’t seem to pay off. You can strive for something, but some unknown factors will hold you back from what you ambition for yourself. I’ve feed into the life social media pressures people to have and I can’t help it. I like what I see.

Perhaps I’ve developed some unhealthy relationship with the apps on my phone. Perhaps if I took a break I wouldn’t feel like a failure. Perhaps…

Maybe I I’ll take a break. Everyone needs a break eventually. It would be a plus to see the me that I am after, if I still think the same. I hope the me I am after a break no longer feels this way. I’m tired of it.

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Dear Future Reader,

I write to you from a time when social media permeates nearly every aspect of our lives. It is a tool of great potential and a large force of influence, shaping the way we connect, communicate, and understand the world we live in. I hope my words offer insight into both its promise and perils.

Social media has brought the world closer in unprecedented ways. We can share ideas, cultures, and stories across countries with the click. It has bridged gaps the once seemed insurmountable. It has empowered voices that were once silenced, allowing individuals to rally for justice, advocate for change, and build communities around shared values. In moments of crisis it serves as lifeline by spreading news, mobilizing resources, and fostering unity.

But this connectivity comes at a cost. Social media is a double edged sword. It thrives on our attention. The algorithms prioritize sensationalism, outrage, and divisive content which leads to the spread of misinformation faster than the truth. Relationships too are affects. While we are more connected many feel lonelier.

Mental health is a growing concern. The constant exposure to idealized versions of life breeds anxiety, insecurity, and a relentless pursuit of validation. For younger generations, social meds is both a mirror and magnifier, reflecting societal pressures while amplifying them to an overwhelming degree.

Yet there is hope. Humanity is resilient and adaptable. Conversations about responsible usage are gaining momentum. We are beginning to understand that the value of social media lies not just in its ability to connect but how we use it to promote understanding, empathy, and progress.

To the readers of the future I pose a question. How has social media evolved? Has it become a tool for unity or has it deepened divisions? Whatever the answer may be I trust in humanity’s ability to learn from our experiences. May you use these platforms wisely.

With hope,

A Memory of the Past

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This project challenged me to approach a topic that I hadn’t really thought that much into. My biggest challenge was trying to find topics to discuss since I hadn’t really put that much thought into how social media effects socializing.

The hardest part was finding sources that answered the questions I had. The topic of the effects of social media were mainly consistent of the same topics and I found a few websites that I found relevant to my topic. But overall it was very informative and an intriguing topic to discuss.

I learned a lot about the effects of it. This project taught. E that I am a victim of social media and that I have been affected by it on a deeper level than I originally thought and that’s okay.