The Social Dilemma, a recently released Netflix documentary, asks, “Is social media as amazing as everyone seems to think it is or does it represent the greatest threat to the human intellect? Dilemma specifically exposes the monetization of such platforms as algorithms and controllers attempt to manipulate participants on behalf of product advertisers. While social media was created with the intent of it being a positive and uplifting way to connect people, it unfortunately has proven otherwise as it toys with the psyches of younger users still seeking an identity.

Students at West, including freshman Laney Wiebel, find that it may be doing more harm than good.

“Social media can be a very negative thing,” she said. “It can be very time consuming and I find myself scrolling through social media when I could be doing something more productive.”

With these networking platforms offering a constant distraction from more important priorities like school, work, family, or friends, issues can arise. Procrastination, a common side effect of scrolling through social media feeds, can cause stress and anxiety, which harms mental health. Sophomore Bryce Ebbens sees usage as the trigger to spiralling problems.

“It does depend on how much you are using social media, and you might fall behind on school and other activities,” he said.

Social networking’s addictive nature can hurt grades, relationships, and the mental health of teens and other users. The best way to prevent this is to limit the amount of time. Anika Larson, a junior, finds herself trying to discover the right balance.

“For me, it’s not as much seeing stuff online, it's more that I waste time online and then I get mad at myself,” she said.

Media platforms also allow viewers to compare themselves to people they see online. With multitudinous methods of manipulating pictures, these inescapable negative comparisons can pile up. After all, who can measure up to technical magic? Photos posted online are edited, filtered, or adjusted in some way, making images seem better than they do in real life. In a survey, an anonymous student shared their negative interactions.

“I do tend to see a decrease in my self-esteem after spending time looking at other girls my age,” they said. “I have to remind myself that not everything is as it seems online.”

With time management issues, lower self-esteem, and increased stress and anxiety, it’s no wonder mental health issues have skyrocketed. Johnathan Haidt, a psychologist at NYU’s school of business, was one of the many people interviewed for The Social Dilemma and shared some startling, and historic, truths.

“A whole generation is more anxious, more fragile, more depressed,” he said.

This can be connected to the increasing use of social media amongst people of younger generations. Although, as an anonymous student brought up, it’s up to the user to decide how social media will impact them.

“It can provide a lot of positive reinforcement,” they said. “It’s about who you follow and what your feed is.”

With multiple platforms such as Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter, there are a multitude of ways students can express themselves. Social media can connect people, inspire them, and entertain, which is what makes it so popular. An anonymous student shared their appreciation for the blank canvas provided by technology.

“It gives me an opportunity to express myself and create the content I like and let others see it,” they said.

Another anonymous student enjoys being able to stay in touch.

“I like getting to keep up with what is going on in other people's lives and the world as well,” they said.

Larson believes that social media can be an amazing tool for people with a talent or a message they want to share with the world.

“This whole idea is that anybody with an idea or a talent can build a platform that everyone can see,” she said.

Social media has allowed people to share their passions and have new experiences, which they might not have otherwise done. Having built a platform on Instagram with 20.9k followers and TikTok with 180k followers, junior Mason Weigand finds social media to be full of potential.

“It has given me so many opportunities and I’ve been able to meet and talk to some of my favorite celebrities and influencers,” he said. “I’ve been able to work with some really big brands that have helped me grow.”

Weigand has been able to meet and talk to influencers like James Charles and has had the opportunity to start a clothing brand, FinesseWear. In addition to this, he also hopes to make his platforms a positive place for his followers.

“I create content for others to enjoy, while also spreading positivity and kindness,” he said. “I enjoy having a bigger platform. I love interacting with all my followers and being able to put a smile on their face is amazing.”

These social connections can also be used to make a difference and educate people on important topics. Larson and her friend Simone Labillois-Steffens utilized social media to start their campaign about youth voting education, Let’s Vote Wisconsin.

“Without Instagram, Let’s Vote Wisconsin wouldn’t have the volunteer base we have, and we wouldn’t have been able to share our petition,” Larson said. “It really does make it easier to get things going and start from the ground up.”

Social media has impacted society in both positive and negative ways. Students have found that it can be a great platform as long as everyone uses it in positive ways and in moderation. It’s important for users to take time to focus on their mental health and to ensure that what they are putting out there isn’t going to harm anyone else. Weigand continues to use his given opportunity to encourage others.

“I’ve been given such an amazing opportunity through social media,” he said. “Not only in uplifting and helping others, but also just in making a difference in the world.”

By Tessa Whitcom

Oshkosh West Index Volume 117 Issue II

October 30th, 2020

Social media: Window to the world or psychic anchor of despair?