Social media is a virtual wasteland, and we should all hate it. This attitude, however, is far easier said than done.

It is so easy to say, “I’ll just scroll through TikTok for a few minutes; it’ll be fine!” Four hours and a massive headache later, it doesn’t seem so harmless.

Of course we already know this.

Adults have been drilling the idea that social media is evil into our heads since we were little, and honestly, that’s part of the appeal. But the idea that social media is purely bad for us isn’t necessarily true.

There have been many wonderful things that started on social media. These platforms can allow creativity to blossom, social movements to be born, and can be a wonderful learning environment. For example, the BLM movement that sparked after George Floyd’s death in 2020 largely transpired through online activism. Since then (and even before then), there have been many accounts across all social media dedicated to raising awareness of racism and other forms of bigotry.

Additionally, there are scientists, musicians, artists, and many more on social media who share their gifts with the world. In many ways, social media is a hub for people of all cultures and ages to interact.

However, as with everything, there are grave downsides to social media, and especially how it affects young people. According to the Pew Research Center, 81% of teenagers use social media. Social media usage has been linked to an increased risk of anxiety and depression. This potential side effect puts a large percentage of the population at risk of mental illness.

Furthermore, an obsession with social media can negatively impact education, participation in extracurriculars, and can put a strain on friendships and familial relationships. And that’s not even mentioning the bottomless pit of body image concerns.

Young, impressionable people are being sold diet pills and expensive skin care items all with promises of erasing “flaws” and preventing aging, when most of these ads are falsified. Photoshop and face tune erases flaws from models, and the effects of this software is then said to be the result of a certain product or diet.

There is also something to be said about the addictive element of social media. Algorithms are specifically designed to rope you in and keep you scrolling. They track your information and push targeted ads to you; they show you posts that conflict with your views so you’re more likely to interact with them. In fact, social media addiction now is listed in the DSM (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders).

People argue the benefits of social media on a daily basis. There are certainlynumerous cons, but there are so many wonderful things about the internet and social media. As with anything, if you consume social media in moderation and in a healthy way, it can be a beneficial experience. But there are many dangers of social media that you should be aware of.

Scroll at your own risk.