The topic of social media is controversial, some believe that social media is positive, while others believe it is detrimental to a person.

Social media is perceived as many things, and it is taken seriously worldwide.

In January of 2025, the US government tried shutting down one of the biggest social media platforms,¨Tiktok.”

It made world wide news and not a lot of people wanted it gone.

Social media could be used for cyberbullying and could be an outlet to many illegal actions going on.

Most chatting apps can lead to pedophilla, and more terrible things going on between adults and kids.

Another outlet of illegal actions through social media apps can be scamming, and the stealing of identity through hackers.

¨A reason why social media can have a negative effect on your life is because it can cause you to compare your life to other people,¨ junior Sloane Moreland said.

Comparison to unrealistic social media standards often leads teens to feel discouraged and lose confidence in themselves.

However, social media can provide some positives. Social media can be an escape from reality, providing a much needed laugh.

Social media can also connect others, helping people build a platform.

¨A positive effect of social media is it keeps me in touch with my extended family, even over long distances,¨ junior Ruby Brown said.

Social media can give people positivity, and can be a morale booster.

However, using social media responsibly can be an important step in ensuring safety while online.

¨My thought is like most things, if not used responsibly, social media can have negative effects. I feel there are incredible tools out there designed to make things easier for us, and social media can be one of them,¨ principal Jagga Rent said.

In conclusion, social media can be a great thing for people to connect, but yet can be just as dangerous if not used correctly.