Opinion: Impact of Social Media on the Younger Generation

By Dawson Beard, Skyline Columnist

ALPINE - In recent years, major social media platforms, such as Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and TikTok,  have provided us with platforms to record some of our most fond memories. From cat videos to classic memes, from celebrity gossip to people becoming celebrities for no reason, social media has molded our society in many positive ways. However, it has negatively impacted the younger generation in ways from which they may never recover, especially after having to suffer through the pandemic. 

Recent studies have shown that the average age when an individual registers for their first social media account is an incredibly low 12.6 years of age. According to the CDC, this is the age when children start to develop a better ability to express feelings through face-to-face communication. In the 21st century, however, as social media runs rampant, parents have become more apathetic. The pandemic brought an era of  interaction through a device screen, which has caused today’s youth to become socially crippled. I fear that this may be irreversible as technological advancements continue to take over communication. 

I’m going to sound like an old man when I say this, but back in my day we didn’t have near as many social media platforms as we do now. . I remember the good old days of going outside, touching grass, and laughing and playing with my neighborhood friends. Also, I remember when my family would go out to restaurants, we would actually enjoy each other’s company and cell phones were put away. Today, hangouts with friends are riddled with smart phones and lacking in interpersonal interaction, and parents now allow their toddlers to bring their iPads and headphones to restaurants instead of teaching them valuable social skills. 

The younger generations are going to lack necessary social skills, and this phenomenon seems to be spreading like a virus throughout other generations as well. If society is to continue down this path, I fear for the future of humanity. We need to look up from our screens, and experience and learn from the real world.