Argumentative Writing Ideas

Is social media damaging to teenagers

One of the huge issues in the world/society is social media. Most teenagers are on their phones all the time; in school, in bed at night, when they go to the bathroom, while you are talking to them, and while they are trying to do their homework. There are so many social media channels such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat, Tumblr, and more. The popularity contests of childhood are online now and revolve around how many “likes” you get. A low number of “likes” typically translates into low social status, and possible shaming and bullying. A high number of “likes” translates to popularity and the pressure to sustain your status. Posting provocative selfies is not a demonstration of a teen girl’s agency over her own body. Flirting with the forbidden might be thrilling, but it is far from a reflection of her power and love of her body. Putting herself on public display simply screams, “Look, everyone, I’m sexy!” The reality is these girls are subjecting themselves and each other to body shaming - a game of who looks better than whom and who is being most provocative. They are also providing free pictures for porn sites. And guess what subject matter is most popular there? Teenage girls! With the amplification of a sexualized sense of self-coupled with the external search for validation, what chance do these children have of learning how to deeply connect with themselves and others and to develop the life coping skills they will need as whole people? I wish these kids could know that they are so much more than what is portrayed in a nude photo on the internet. I wish they could be as motivated to deeply know themselves as they are to gathering superficial “likes” online.