MHS students stay safe on social media

After new research has been released about social media increasing the risk of depression, loneliness, anxiety and overall teen mental health many Manhattan High School students are finding new ways to distance themselves from the apps and their lack of productivity. With social media becoming more of a dangerous place everyday, whether it be a national security risk with Tik Tok or cyber bullying that’s not limited to one social media app, MHS students are still confident in distancing themselves.

“I don’t need it,” junior Kahlan Sloan said. “It’s toxic and people can hide behind a screen and say bad things about you. It’s terrible.”

Sloan only has one social media app, that being Snapchat, and even only having one, she does her best to control the people she communicates with and control her account all together. 

“I get to pick and choose who I get to talk to,” Sloan said. “People who I don’t know can talk to me and I don’t want to talk to them.”

The unfortunate lack of control can push students away from the apps.

“It’s not safe,” junior Anna Ostrom said. “With predators and all that, it really takes a toll on mental health.”

Ostrom used to be involved with social media but she left because of the spread of drama and the unwanted attention from guys.

“People don’t know boundaries,” Ostrom said. “And when it’s on social media it’s like they don’t even exist.”

Other than limiting their own accounts, some students have parents that don’t want them to have too much access to social media.

“My parents are really strict and they barely let me on social media alone,” freshman Jazmin Ramirez said. “They have all my social media on their phones.” 

Ramirez’s parents are strict but that doesn’t mean she doesn’t appreciate what they have done.

“What I do to protect myself is letting my parents have my social media so I’m not at risk of getting asked for pictures or anything else.”

Social media is something to be worried about, other than getting asked for pictures of yourself from people you don’t know you could get cyber bullied by people you do know.

“There’s a lot of people just looking down on each other and being really negative,” senior Madison Kiefer said. 

Kiefer believes that social media is an extremely negative place having to do with drama and politics, and is relieved to be away.

Although social media is a great tool, it’s also a tool for disaster and chaos, so it’s important to be aware of these things and take steps to ensure your safety or to leave social media.

“I’m happy without it,” Ostrom said. “The people that I’m close enough with have my number and that’s more personal than just hitting someone up on Instagram.”