The below piece is the winning high school essay in the Network of Enlightened Women’s 2025 essay contest.
Social media is everywhere. It’s how we connect, how we learn about the world, and, for better or worse, how many of us form our opinions. It’s shaping the values, beliefs, and critical thinking skills of young people in ways we don’t fully understand yet. Like any new technology, it has its ups and downs — just like literacy did centuries ago, the internet did 30 years ago, and artificial intelligence is doing now. We’re still figuring out how to live with it, use it in a way that actually benefits us, and make sure it doesn’t control our lives.
One of the biggest problems with social media is how it’s destroying attention spans. We’ve become so used to scrolling through TikTok, Instagram reels, and Twitter threads that sitting down to read something long feels exhausting. Why read an article when a 30-second video can summarize it? The problem is that the “quick summary” usually leaves out important context. I’ve seen friends get fired up over a five-second clip, only to find out later that the full story was much more complex. When people stop questioning what they see and just accept whatever fits their existing beliefs, critical thinking goes out the window.
Another major issue social media poses is the unrealistic standards pushed on these platforms. It’s not limited to beauty standards, though that’s a huge one, but also success, academics, relationships, and lifestyle. We students see influencers who seem to have perfect grades, perfect bodies, and perfect social lives, and still get eight hours of sleep. In reality, most of it is staged, edited, or only showing the highlights. But that doesn’t stop people from feeling like they’re falling behind. I know I’ve looked at someone’s post before and thought, “Wow, they’ve got it all figured out,” even though deep down I know social media doesn’t accurately depict reality. That constant comparison messes with people’s confidence and can make them feel like they’re never enough.
Not all aspects of social media are harmful. It’s still an incredible way to find people who share your interests. Whether by connecting with others who love marine biology, like me, or joining online study groups, social media can make the world feel a little smaller. It has also given a platform to people who wouldn’t have had one before. Social movements that might have been ignored in the past can now spread across the world in hours. When used the right way, social media can open people’s minds, introduce them to new ideas, and help them learn perspectives they never would have considered otherwise.
The problem is that it often does the opposite. Instead of exposing people to different viewpoints, social media can trap them in echo chambers where they only see opinions that match their own. Algorithms are designed to show you what you already agree with to keep you engaged. I’ve noticed that when I click on a certain type of video or follow a certain kind of page, my entire feed starts looking the same. If all you ever see are opinions that reinforce what you already believe, you’re less likely to consider new information. That’s how polarization happens. People aren’t just disagreeing anymore; they’re living in completely different versions of reality.
Social media has also completely changed the college experience. Academically, it’s a huge resource; students can join online study groups, watch lecture videos, and even get homework help in seconds. But it’s also a massive distraction. It’s way too easy to start a “quick” study break and end up watching two hours of pointless videos. Social interactions have changed, too. People are more connected than ever, but at the same time, face-to-face conversations can feel harder. It’s common to see a group of students sitting together, but instead of talking, they’re all glued to their phones.
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Social media has made activism more accessible, but it’s also made it easier to be performative. People share posts about a cause but don’t actually do anything to support it. And when it comes to careers, students now have to worry about their entire online history. One bad post from years ago can follow you forever, adding another layer of pressure.
At the end of the day, social media is a tool. Like any tool, its impact depends on how we use it. If people use it to explore new perspectives, make meaningful connections, and think critically about the information they consume, it can be a huge asset. But if they let it shape their beliefs without question, reinforce toxic standards, or replace real-world engagement, it can be seriously damaging. The truth is, we’re still figuring out what role social media should play in our lives. It’s not going away, so it’s up to our generation to decide whether we’ll let it control us or if we’ll learn to use it in a way that actually makes our lives better.
Erika Morford is a student at Ephrata High School.