TikTok is Driving Me Insane!

10/21/2024

A teenager looks at a smartphone with the TikTok logo displayed. Hannes P. Albert/dpa/picture alliance/Getty Images

Teens today are navigating a social media landscape that is both empowering and overwhelming. On one hand, platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube offer a stage for creative expression, connection, and even activism. Teens can find their voice, build communities, shape conversations about social justice, climate change, and other pressing global issues, and share their perspectives with the world in ways that were b just a decade ago.

But with that freedom also comes pressure—the pressure to conform, to be "liked, loved, followed, or subscribed to" and to curate a life that fits into a filtered version of reality. Social media often serves as both a mirror and a magnifying glass for self-esteem, where one viral post can boost confidence, but one misstep can bring a wave of criticism or bullying.

According to the above news article, "About 43% of high school students who use social media frequently said that they felt persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness, compared with 32% of those who used social media less often. They were also more likely to say they’ve been bullied, both at school and online, and to have seriously considered suicide."

If that many teens are negatively affected by their use of social media, why won't they just put the phones down! When I was in high school, cable television used to shut down at midnight. Today, there should be a way for the "social media gods" to "turn off" social media at a certain hour to protect the mental health of teens since they don't have the notion to get off of it on their own. Or, social media should be banned all together. Thoughts?

Assignment. Read and respond to the above. Click the image to read the article.

INSTRUCTIONS

1. INCLUDE: Last Name, First Initial, AND Class Block. You do not have to include an email address or a website.

2. Respond to the post. Read the entire post, including watching any videos or reading any articles attached. Do not post vague or ambiguous commentary. Your post should have depth, be thoughtful, and provide specific, meaningful insight. Make sure it addresses the topic and encourages reflection, discussion, or a connection.

3. You MUST comment on at least TWO other posts from any student in any class. Your replies cannot be identical comments on different posts and posting shallow comments such as "I agree" or "I disagree" will earn you a zero. Make sure your reply addresses the comment that you are responding to.

4. Language. Do NOT use profanity. Vague or repeated responses will not be accepted in your post or replies.

5. Disrespectful comments will not be accepted and will result in a zero whether you do the assignment or not.

REMINDERS

**Set a weekly alarm or calendar timer. Whatever you do to remember other important events, I'd do the same for this assignment.

**Don't wait until the last minute. Telling me that you didn't do the assignment on Friday because you broke your leg, for example, on Thursday will not do anything for you when you've had a week. Be responsible and accountable.

**How to post. Click in the top right hand corner or the lower left hand corner where it says Comments to access the discussion board. Once there, scroll to the bottom of the page to post a Reply. After, choose comments from at least two students from any class and Reply to what they wrote.

CAUTION!! Do NOT embarrass me, yourself, your class, the English department, the school, your family or your upbringing with tasteless, meaningless comments. This is for a grade.

DISCLAIMER: If you do not respond AND comment on TWO others, you will not receive credit for this assignment. If you do not write your name correctly, and I don't see your work, you will not receive credit for this assignment. If you use profanity, you will not receive credit for the work. It's all or nothing.

WARNING: If you post even one second past midnight, your comment might appear to be posted, but as soon as it is opened to be graded, it will automatically delete.

Due Fri., October 25, 11:59 p.m. CST

Luster J, 3A

10/21/2024 11:33:06 am

I can't deny the fact that social media can and does have many negative effects. But the statement "Social media should cut off at a certain hour to protect the mental health of teens or, social media should be banned all together." is outrageous. Social media can set unrealistic standards for people and cause problems for that individual but people's personal problems can't be taken into account for big business like this. TikTok isn't the only social media sight out there and actually it's a fairly new one, these problems of self image and wanting to fit in didn't stem from TikTok so why should they face the repercussions. No mater what platform, what setting, what time, or who's on the app people will always have their own problems and you cant blame one sight for this. TikTok can't control the feeling's we get from watching videos nor can they stop us from how long we watch videos. All of the problems that are claimed to be affecting teens are personal issues that need to be addressed by the parents of the teens not the app.

Colocho J 6B

10/22/2024 11:05:13 am

I agree because teens shouldn't have the blame it could just be the phone and who is texting them often in any way.

Barrientos S 4A

10/22/2024 03:21:50 pm

Heavy on the parents should address it instead, because parents are so quick to blame everything and everyone else because their child is mentally unstable. Parents should start comforting their kids, have talks and reassure them instead of being quick to blame "that phone".

Flores A 4A

10/23/2024 06:23:39 pm

I agree, to cut it off for an hour to protect mental health is far fetched and kinda unrealistic seeing as some people use social media to contact people they know, parents should be more involved in there children's lives to limit how much they spend on social media.

Lara, S 8B

10/23/2024 08:25:37 pm

Well even if parents try to deal with it, some parents do not know how the new media work and/or do not understand how in their generation you have to know something and how your not be "weird" and wear the right thing because not only is bullying and bad mental health on social media but it is in public,in schools. There are also some parents who now encourage that type of behavior and teach their kids how they should think about certain things and people. Everything around you from the type of people to the environment around someone and effect them in a negative way not only social media even though it does have a big impact.

Presas A 6B

10/25/2024 08:10:23 pm

Parents now in this generation sometimes have no clue on how new social media work or even how teens can hide things from there parents without them knowing.Even in this new generations with these teens know or with other people now in this world would have rude comments to make and be rude to hurt there feeling and not care about what they say.

Frank Jimenez 6B

10/24/2024 10:16:38 am

I agree, its true that social media platforms, including TikTok, shouldn't shoulder all the blame for the pressures and anxieties some users experience.

Curlee A, 4A

10/24/2024 10:10:03 pm

To add onto this, you can see this issue worsen in generation alpha. The amount of my younger family members I've seen watching TikTok videos at around 3-5 is concerning. It's almost as if parents aren't parenting, they just give kids a phone or a tablet. The irony here is that those same parents complain about the new generation they had just raised. If the backlash social media gets is going to fall onto TikTok, then why can't the parents take some responsibility as well?

Bronson M, 3A

10/25/2024 11:56:22 am

I agree social media has negative affects on teens and people in general, for example I see comments of people that posted on TikTok that is bullying. Social media being banned especially TikTok is outrageous. There is a place to be able to report the bullying for a reason. Problems teens face are personal issues and should be addressed to the parent not the media. TikTok to many teens is a resource to get away from reality and sit back and chill.

Barrientos S 4A

10/22/2024 09:16:44 am

Social media has affected teens for years, unrealistic standards, cyber bullying and the list goes on. Now that TikTok is around it is no different, there are negative sides to every social media. Shutting down Tiktok for an hour for mental health break is ridiculous to me, because if people really valued themselves that much then it should be their responsibility to know when it is time for them to get off. It should not be the apps responsibility, but their own, if they cared and valued themselves so much, they should understand their limit of social media use if it is affecting.

Colocho J 6B

10/22/2024 11:06:27 am

Yes, maybe some people are different and are interested in different environments around or want to be around.

Flores A 4A

10/23/2024 06:31:40 pm

agreed, people shouldn't really on the app to moderate how much time they spend on it, if its that big of an issue for them, they shouldn't have the app in the first place and should that time doing something productive.

Carmouche, K 1A

10/24/2024 11:45:50 am

When people develop an addiction to something such as social media it can be hard for them because it is all they are used to, and when they see negative comments and slideshows such as the ones you mentioned in your response, they will simply just accept whatever the slideshow says instead of simply leaving the app or limiting their time, they may know it is wrong, but people don't always do what they are supposed to or what they know is right.

Curlee A, 4A

10/24/2024 10:16:03 pm

Completely agree, we're teenagers not children. We have the full brain capacity to change the way we want to live our lives. So many people complain about social media (which the criticism is valid), but completely ignore accountability. Most people just go "Oh your generation wont try and better itself so just let everyone else fix your issues!" Instead there need to be more efforts to actually try and get off social media rather than saying "it's bad".

Sophia N 6 B

10/25/2024 08:53:53 am

I agree people know the negative things that come with being on social media but still continue to use it.

Esquivel. E 1A

10/25/2024 09:41:35 am

I completely agree. The app is not a baby sitter, it's meant to keep us engaged wether it's healthy or not. It is our responsibily to limit ourselves and manage our own time. The apps even help us with that by having reminders if enabled to.

Bronson M, 3A

10/25/2024 12:01:04 pm

I agree, social media always had an affect on teens for various reasons.TikTok has not changed the negative sides to all social media. Banning TikTok for mental health is wild because it is teens responsibility to make their own decisions. If social media is not for that individual then they shouldn't have it. Regardless of what some articles say majority of teens enjoy TikTok.

Hernandez M, 4A link

10/25/2024 03:25:36 pm

I agree with so many of the things you've got to say it is very ridiculous to do that, if people really cared there are other options to keep your mental health up instead of forcing the app to close for an hour.

Presas A 6B

10/25/2024 07:58:05 pm

I would 100% say that social media has had a huge impact with teens that has affected them for years including with all social media platforms that their is not different at all in between them there would always be negative sides within them.

Colocho J 6B

10/22/2024 11:04:14 am

Instead of an outright ban, a more balanced approach could involve stricter regulations to address the harmful aspects while preserving the positive ones. This could include measures to protect user privacy, prevent the spread of false information, and promote healthier online interactions.

Barrientos S 4A

10/22/2024 03:41:32 pm

I agree promoting healthier online interactions is essential for the well being of teens, stricter regulations can encourage platforms and others to create a safer space by setting guidelines and rules to discourage bullying, and unrealistic standards.

Carmouche, K, 1A

10/24/2024 12:03:42 pm

This sounds like a reasonable solution to the situation at hand that we're dealing with as a society, but it can be very hard for big companies and businesses to deal with finding all of the harmful aspects of their app while keeping the new ones because of their large presence.

Malvaez M, 1A

10/25/2024 12:37:15 am

These restrictions and measures are indeed beneficial to teens with this problem, both parents and teens are able to set these limits but it requires the teen to want to change and value themselves more and the parents taking the time and educating their child rather than leaving them staring at a screen for countless hours.

Rodriguez R. 4A

10/25/2024 03:27:48 pm

I agree, there should be a way to ignore the negative comments and only focus on the positive comments.

Hernandez M, 4A link

10/25/2024 03:35:12 pm

I agree with everything said here, it is way better to add on regulations than to take freedoms away from users on the app and the best ways to do it are in this comment, "adding measures to protect user safety, prevent the spread of false information, and promote healthier online interactions."

Flores A, 4A

10/23/2024 06:14:07 pm

Social media does have there pros and cons but suing TikTok for harming children's mental health is unreadable and in my opinion is parents dodging responsibility, parents should be vigilant over what type of media or how long there children consume it and if there letting there children have unrestricted internet access that's not on the social media company thats on the parents fault, especially with phones being able to limit how much time there child can spend on social media apps.

Lara, S 8B

10/23/2024 08:41:14 pm

People can try to have these rules to prevent their children from being on social media too long but kid are going to want what they cannot have. If a kid gets screen time they can have a second phone or if the children parent try to delete the app all together, the kid an always get it back and make another account with a different email or a different number while also lying about their information. Parents are not always with their children most children spend most of their time at school and a lot of teens have jobs, where there are lots of others who have phone and social media accounts. Social media affects the people who let it affect them. The reason for the delete or remove button, a reason where it is an option to download. The responsibilities are not on the parents but on the individuals themselves no one is forced to have the social app on their device they have to willingly download the app and agree to the apps terms and agreements.

Frank Jimenez 6B

10/24/2024 10:21:35 am

I agree, Tiktok is addictive and its a big part of why the company is under fire. In which since TikTok offer new, personalized content leading to excessive usage.

Echeveria D 6B

10/24/2024 11:15:36 am

I also believe that the parents should keep an eye on there kid and just check up on them if they see or feel like there kid are sad because they may make a wrong move.Also the parents should add a screen time if they think there kid is on there device too much.

Luster J 3A

10/24/2024 02:11:58 pm

I think you're right when you say it's the parent's dodging the responsibility of their own kids. Most parents now just give their kid a phone and let them do whatever they want, and now they are starting to see how harmful that really is. But instead of dealing with it and taking responsibility they chose to blame the app.

Kendell Hurrington 4A

10/24/2024 10:19:54 pm

This hits the nail on the head! Teens who although know Right from wrong will still more often than not make mistakes with things they say the things they do or the communities they join. The only thing that social media does is take something that would happen in person and makes it digital. So in a way banning social media won’t accomplish much other than causing mass temper tantrums and diverting the blame from the parents onto teenagers. The parents are the ones who buy the phones and pay the bills, so it makes sense that they should also be the ones to monitor the screen time and what their children are doing on these websites or apps.

Esquivel. E 1A

10/25/2024 09:36:02 am

Yes!! These apps should not be held accountable for people's decisions. Parents need to be held responsible in teaching and protecting their children.

Lara, S 8B

10/23/2024 08:18:06 pm

I think everything can not be blame on just TikTok, yes the outcome of this app may have some negative impact on some but there is also positive impact. This is towards tiktok because it is the most "new" social media app all the bullying,long time spent, bad mental health is not because of the TikTok app itself, it's just the most recent app. TikTok is no different from any other app like Instagram, or Snap chat, or Facebook where people all can post, comment, message. Every social media app can be harmful, if TikTok is banned all the negative is not just going to vanish into thin air, it will continue onto a different social media that everyone will fall back on for the absents of TikTok. The app does and will never know what someone else is going through an how that react to certain videos, everyone has been through different situations in their life and perceive things and that is not TikTok fault. In this generation people grow up with electrons that grow and grow with new features and ability, TikTok is big right now but what happens when a new social media app arises, everyone is want the new and TikTok is became just another media app like Facebook and Snap chat.

Edwards.K 6B

10/24/2024 10:06:57 pm

Agreed.As time passes technology will grow people will find a new social media app and tiktok willl become old just like snap and Facebook.

Malvaez M. 1A

10/25/2024 12:31:50 am

Tiktok is not the only social media platform in which it impacts teens, banning Tiktok alone will not change the outcome of bullying, other platforms were out before Tiktok but yet the bullying did not stop, how can we be sure just removing Tiktok alone will completely stop bullying and harassment?

Renteria R A 4A

10/25/2024 09:18:56 pm

I agree, It's not the apps fault, it's the people on how they want to use it for good or bad reasons.

Echeverria D 6B

10/25/2024 08:28:14 am

I also think that it the parents fault if they don't check up on there kids that should be on them.

Rodriguez R. 4A

10/25/2024 03:32:22 pm

I agree, the app itself is not harming but the people how use it to spread negative stuff.

Frank Jimenez 6B

10/24/2024 10:25:41 am

The pressures and negative impacts of social media on teenagers include the need for peer validation, fear of missing out, and online harassment. The solution to the negative impacts is leaving social media for a while.

Ruiz M. 8B

10/25/2024 04:50:12 pm

While yes, leaving social media for a while would possibly help those who are affected by the negative factors of social media, there are many individuals who face the problem of not being able to leave social media since it has become an addiction. These problems can be prevented with help from parents when their children are still at a young. Preventing them from being on their device and social media for too long and the habit becoming an addiction. This negative impacts just can't be fully prevented since many are caused by other individuals. Social media is also relied on for spreading and gaining information nowadays and would also impact many if it were to be banned.

Echeveria D 6B

10/24/2024 11:10:46 am

I belive that Social media affects teens mental health becuase they may see things online and may believe it or do it because they think it funny or just cause someone tells them.But if they get bully on online it can be bad because they may be leading to feelings of inadequacy and anxiety and that can make them wanna considered suicide.

Carmouche,K,1A

10/24/2024 11:41:18 am

Social media can be either a handicap or a tool to use for your better, depending on whether you let it control your life, making you raise your standards for yourself to unreasonable levels. The idea to "ban" social media" is too extreme, simply because social media has done so much good for people, and businesses. Social media allows us to share our thoughts, Ideas, plans, and products. This allows businesses to grow more, teens to connect to a larger community, it allows us to connect with people globally, which was the whole reason for social media. It was never meant to become a depressing platform for teens, but just a place where people with common thoughts, common goals, or ideas to go to connect.If you allow social media to control your time, life, and thoughts making you feel pressured to post and uphold your standing on the platform you simply shouldn't have it. As soon as you let this start to have a controlling factor in your life, you should get rid of it. It should never get to the point where you want to commit suicide or become hopeless, that simply isn't acceptable.

Sophia N 6B

10/25/2024 08:56:30 am

I agree with you social media can come with bad and good things. and I say this because social media has made me learn a lot of things but also made me feel a certain way about myself because of certain standards.

Teniente J. 1A

10/25/2024 03:31:12 pm

I agree, banning social media is really extreme where the threats that social media brings can really be solved really easily and very convenient way. Social media does bring out many good benefits to the economy and communities around the world so taking that away will ruin the spark that was probably taken years to form. Its either the that social media have to add more procedures to young teens, especially adults to watch over their kids time on technology and social media.

Cavazos N 6B

10/25/2024 11:59:16 pm

I completely agree with you that banning social media will have a negative effect on businesses especially small ones.

Edwards K.6B

10/24/2024 09:10:49 pm

Ultimately, while social media has the potential to be a powerful tool for connection and self-expression.It is crucial to address its darker side and find ways to migrate its negative effects on mental health.Balancing the benefits and risks of social media use is essential for fostering a healthier environment for today's youth.

Kendell Hurrington 4A

10/24/2024 10:15:35 pm

This is exactly right! There must be a way to balance out one’s usage of social media so that they won’t succumb to the negative influences or become one themselves. Our Ultimate goals shouldn’t be eradicating the entire concept, but instead redefining the landscape in which it exists.

Ruiz M. 8B

10/25/2024 04:54:54 pm

I agree, many of the negative effects just can't be prevented fully, but we can become more aware of them if we spread awareness to others. Teaching the young about the dangers, aswell as teaching them respect, even if online, preventing them from causing those negative effects.

Curlee A, 4A

10/24/2024 10:02:08 pm

While social media is most certainly an issue regarding teens and young adults, I do not in fact believe removing social media completely will solve the issues it has caused. In fact, responsibility and accountability would fix most issues caused by social media. This is because both responsibility and accountability are what pushes society forward as a whole. Accountability is knowing your wrongs, most teens know social media is bad for them but lack the accountability to change how they act. Responsibility also coincides with this. If someone is responsible, they will do what they need to do (work, clean, exercise, etc.) because responsibility triumphs personal comfort, and social media is all about personal comfort. Only when someone recognizes both accountability and responsibility, can they truly not care for social media, at least enough to where it doesn't affect them directly.

Miles D 4A

10/25/2024 11:48:20 pm

i agree people that notice that social media affects them should take a break from it and take accountability and not blame something else for how the problems they face.

Kendell H 4A

10/24/2024 10:13:31 pm

Banning is a drastic and near idiotic approach to the topic of solving "the social media problem"
social connection apps have been ingrained in
teenage culture since the early 2000s with sites like Myspace and Face book to this current generation or apps like Tik Tok or Instagram. Its main purpose and function has always been to connect and for the most part its done exactly that. So then whats the problem? It's of course the teens themselves who occupy this space, who have no restrictions or depth of how far to go. We already know what things would be like social media wasn't around since our parents are still alive and the media from their era is still present. we know that teens will simply find a way to do what they must in person as opposed to online. So no, banning all social media and trying to move on wouldn't solve anything.

Malvaez M. 1A

10/25/2024 12:27:28 am

While I do believe that teens are being negatively impacted by Social media in general, TikTok should not be banned nor will it fix anything if it is banned. Teenagers are old enough to know right from wrong, they should be held accountable for what they choose to watch and imitate from social media. TikTok and many other platforms such as YouTube, Instagram, and Snap chat are many people's sources of income. The banning of Tiktok can negatively affect the economy in which Tiktok is such a good platform for businesses to market their products.Tiktok is also a platform were many people are able to express their selves in positive ways in which it brings others joy and inspiration. While people claim Tiktok is such a "misleading" or "mind controlling" platform, they never consider the positive side of the app. Parents should also be monitoring what their teens watch, there are set limits in which parents can put a time limit on how long their teen can be on social media. Both teens and parents have the knowledge and are aware that there are crucial steps in order to control what they see on the internet and how long they need to be on social media.

Miles D 4A

10/25/2024 11:50:24 pm

i agree, teenagers should be able to know what is right and wrong and take accountability when consuming content on social media platforms.

Sophia N 6B

10/25/2024 09:09:38 am

social media can come with pros and cons and I honestly I support the idea of getting rid of social but I also think it should stay. I say this because social media has taught me a lot and updated me with everything going on in the world, on the other hand social media has a lot of bad things like bullying, and stuff kids should not be seeing. I think there should be an age limit to the use of social media cause at times it can get hard to deal with everything going on and kids should not be going through the bad sides of social media.

Gonzalez J,8B

10/25/2024 03:05:30 pm

"Love your balanced take on social media! Age limits and safeguards make sense. Thanks for sharing your thoughtful perspective!"

Esquivel. E 1A

10/25/2024 09:33:27 am

It would be a good idea to set a time limit of how long children and teens are on social media. But to ban it all together is not benefitial for anyone. If anything social media is very useful in plenty of ways such as keeping up with news, people, and even learning. As always people ruin good things, making social media a negative space. But there's also those who have their own problems, that's why we should limit our time but there's no reason to completely get rid of it and blame the app.

Lara, A 4A

10/25/2024 12:03:33 pm

I agree with you because Tik Tok can be negative and positive at the same time so it is best if you set a limit on how long you should stay on TikTok and report any harmful contents.

Torres C. 3/A

10/25/2024 01:53:09 pm

Most definitely, to monitor your children's screentime is essential to being able to provide a healthy balance of both social media and mental health. It provides a short term of relief while expanding their creativity, while making sure they do not get exposed to too much Media.

rivera d 4a

10/25/2024 07:48:28 pm

I completely agree! Setting time limits on social media is a smart idea because it can help prevent the negative effects while still allowing us to enjoy the benefits. Banning it entirely wouldn’t really solve the problem, social media can be a valuable tool for staying connected and informed. It’s true that some people misuse it, but that doesn’t mean the app itself is bad. Finding a healthy balance is key, so we can enjoy the positives without getting overwhelmed.

Cavazos N 6B

10/25/2024 11:52:17 pm

I agree that social media should have a time limit so people wouldn't be doom scrolling. I would also agree with if that social media helps us with keeping up with the news and learning new things.

Garcia M 3A

10/27/2024 03:51:40 pm

I agree with this statement. The factors stated are good reasons why social media should be time-watched and limited for teens. If these acts come into play, the mental health of teens could grow postively extremely.

Rodriguez R. 4A

10/25/2024 10:35:58 am

I wouldn't agree with banning social media all together, everyone uses the media differently. People use the media to get information, educate themselves, and for entertainment. The people that are being negatively affected should consider taking breaks from the media or managing their time.

Torres. C 3/A

10/25/2024 01:47:39 pm

It's evident that Social media has had a positive effect on many people, which include helping spread awareness and raise money for causes!

González J,8B

10/25/2024 03:04:04 pm

"I completely agree with your balanced perspective on social media. Banning it altogether may not be the solution, as it does offer valuable benefits like information, education, and entertainment.

Grant Z 4A

10/25/2024 03:31:25 pm

Exactly banning social media would not benefit anyone because even adults use social media. I think its just the type of content and the type of people who don't consider the things they post, that need to be checked or banned from socail media.

Grant Z 4A

10/25/2024 03:35:00 pm

Not everyone is the same or use socail platforms in a negitive way, those who do should be banned or have a break. Now do I feel we all as a collective should take a mental break from socail media every once in awhile, yes. Socail media can be distracting or overwhelming if on it too much.

Thompson Damani 8B

10/25/2024 05:29:38 pm

You're right that everyone uses social media differently, and it does serve various purposes like information, education, and entertainment. Taking breaks and managing time on social media can definitely help individuals maintain a healthier relationship with it. It's all about finding that balance that works best for each person.

Palacios R 1A

10/25/2024 08:39:20 pm

This world we live in now with screens and content available 24/7 needs us to balance ourselves with screen time.

Tomas R 6B link

10/25/2024 09:19:25 pm

True, nowadays many people of this generation get their daily news about events through social media. And the part about taking breaks from social media is a good idea that everyone should practice.

Bronson M, 3A

10/25/2024 11:49:42 am

TikTok should not be banned but some Teens are facing negativity.Teens can be negatively impacted by social media negatively in many ways. It can be bullying, loneliness, influence, and so much more. Even though there is negative aspects of social media it can be positive as well. On TikTok teens can feel safe to use their voice because other teens can relate, they can grow a platform, they can keep up with news, real life problems around the world, and they can use social media as a resource. Teens should not be evolved around there phone and show know a limit. Too much phone time does have many negative aspects. TikTok makes me happy and I don't have any negativity toward it.

rivera d 4a

10/25/2024 07:40:00 pm

I totally agree that TikTok shouldn’t be banned because it can actually be a positive space for many teens. It’s true that social media has its downsides, like bullying and feelings of loneliness, but it also allows us to connect, express ourselves, and stay informed. Finding a balance is key while using TikTok. For me, TikTok brings a lot of joy, so it’s all about how we use it.

Garcia M 3A

10/27/2024 03:23:42 pm

I agree that TikTok shouldn't be banned. TikTok has had both positive and negative impacts on teens lives. TikTok should at least have time restrictions for each teen depending on their daily usage of the app. This action could lessen the amount of negative impacts and keep kids off the app as much .

Lara, A 4A

10/25/2024 12:02:05 pm

Tik Tok can have both negative and positive effects on a persons mind and behavior. It could be addicting, mental health concerns, sleep deprivation, and fear of missing out.

Renteria R A 4A

10/25/2024 09:01:55 pm

I agree, Tik Tok can teach us a lot of things. I've seen videos of people saying they created things from tik tok that are useful for them.

Tomas R 6B link

10/25/2024 09:30:17 pm

Pros and cons about social media.
Pros: you can get advice on stuff you don't understand, it can get you informed, it's a safe place for many
Cons: Social media, has a lot of trolls, and haters that can ruin peoples day. and stuff that are usually not supposed to be access by young people now can, and that can change many things in their brains that can lead to awful things later in life.

Tobias, A 3A

10/25/2024 01:31:01 pm

Social media should be banned because it often leads to cyberbullying and harassment, which can have emotional impacts. It also spreads misinformation rapidly, making it hard to know what's true or false information. It can also affect mental health, leading to issues like anxiety and depression.

Alvarez J 8B

10/25/2024 10:37:08 pm

This is conflicting. yes, social media has created more problems in peoples lives but you also have to take into consideration how much people have been able to kick start their business, find a job, and just find something that helps them in their everyday lives.

Torres. C 3/A

10/25/2024 01:43:38 pm

No, to ban social media is to get rid of many who use social media as a positive platform. They also will leave many without jobs, leading to potentially a lower job market, and many homeless! Some could even argue that Social Media is used a stress relief for many who struggle with boring day to day jobs.

Sanchez A 3A

10/25/2024 03:31:11 pm

Banning the social media platform will leave content creators with no jobs and generally reducing the market of jobs. I agree we shouldn't ban these platforms but to make them safer. Social media is also seen as a stress reliever from "YouTube" and "ASMR" helping people who need to take a break and relax.

Palacios R 1A

10/25/2024 08:41:22 pm

Mandating screen limits could be a more balanced approach, yet, who should enforce that? Parents, schools, companies? I think banning shouldn't happen but instead to have self control of yourself an realize how much time we spent on a device should be balanced.

Alvarez J 8B

10/25/2024 10:15:55 pm

yes! social media has such a helpful way for people to get easy access to jobs and to even promote their business to be able to grow and have a stable life.

González J,8B

10/25/2024 03:01:53 pm

"This disturbing revelation about TikTok's priorities highlights the darker side of social media's influence on our youth. The fact that TikTok generates billions in revenue from advertising to teenagers is concerning, especially considering the platform's potential impact on their mental health and well-being.

It's alarming that TikTok's algorithm is designed to keep minors engaged for extended periods, despite knowing the risks of compulsive use. The platform's failure to adequately address these concerns and prioritize safety over profits raises questions about corporate responsibility and ethics.

As a society, we must recognize the profound influence social media has on shaping young minds. We need to demand more from platforms like TikTok, ensuring they prioritize users' well-being and safety above revenue.

Hernandez M, 4A link

10/25/2024 03:23:14 pm

I think that its a dumb idea to do that its up to the kids will and parents will whether kids spend lots of time on Tik Tok or not. They are able to delete the app or put the phone down. It just seems so dumb to me to do an hour break on the app when teens have the will to learn to stop.

Sanchez A 3A

10/25/2024 03:25:32 pm

To resolve this mental health situation with social media, the parents and platforms need to take greater action to prevent bullying and threats Although, banning is an option it should not be the first, TikTok had implemented an daily screen timing that parents can set, this and along with other actions need to be taken to ensure mental health is not affecting these teens. Also parents need to constantly monitor their children using social media in general because their protection should be their first priority.

Teniente J. 1A

10/25/2024 03:28:13 pm

Social media, and parents definitely need to make sure that the kids are being monitored to avoid threats that may appear in social media or TikTok in general. Parents do have ways that they can limit their time on social media which is a start. Banning media will cause major issues over time which will cause more harm so I understand where you are coming from.

Teniente J. 1A

10/25/2024 03:25:40 pm

The issue with social media affecting mental health should go both ways, yes banning social media can resolve the issue but its also the parents job to supervise what their children are looking at or going through social media. Tiktok has a method called "fyp" which gathers what the user has interest in so it can be partially the user fault for dealing with cyberbully or threats. Social media can go under more procedures to make sure teens/kids are being safe on any social media. Social media can have many negative affects, but it doesn't mean it has good affects as well, Tiktok brought communities together than ever before so taking it down will hurt many communities that were brought together over the years. In conclusion, banning social media is not a good solution to go with but has more procedures for young adults.

Sanchez A 3A

10/25/2024 03:28:18 pm

The user does have the power to see what their interests are with the "fyp" system. Social media does have positive effects as well with connecting people and bringing them together.

Lopez H 4A

10/25/2024 03:56:51 pm

Exactly, there should be a good balance of good and bad but yes, the user can decide what they want to see and experience, and honestly social media has done more good than bad.

Castillo V, 6B

10/25/2024 06:46:56 pm

I agree, it can go both ways but parent should be supervising what their children are watching.

Grant Z 4A

10/25/2024 03:28:36 pm

Honestly I feel if parents and other adults made it to where kids were comfortable to share their thoughts and concerns before dissmissing them, the kids would talk and open up. Socail media can be good and bad I don't think that socail media is always the problem it's the people who chose to be mean and bully others, or post inappropriate content. You can control what you watch and who you entertain. Parents can restrict certain content if they wanted to and I feel it would be best or just don't allow the child to have social media at all if they have concerns or are worried the child my be exposed to certain things all around. Now without looking at the bad side of socai media the good thing about is it helps people connect and can be very educational.

Lopez H 4A

10/25/2024 03:55:37 pm

I agree with your statement, it depends more on the people using the platform rather than social media itself, if mostly good people use social media correctly then the problems mentioned are going to lessen.

Hernandez, I 6b

10/25/2024 06:31:03 pm

i agree with you its the people on the app that sometimes gives it a bad environment for people just trying to explore and open up

Lopez H 4A

10/25/2024 03:52:43 pm

Social media should not be completely banned, instead there should be more regulations and restrictions on who gets to use it, what they are going to use it for, and what kind of content gets shown. Although even with more restrictions there are still going to be many negatives, and this just comes from the users more than the platform itself, overall even in public interactions the same exact thing can happen, to where people overthink and get bullied too.

Castillo V, 6B

10/25/2024 06:45:30 pm

Yes, I do think they should be more restrictions especially if they are young kids on it.

Renteria R A 4A

10/25/2024 03:59:37 pm

Parents should have a talk with their children about social media on how there's good and bad stuff on it. social media should not be banned because of parents seeing their child watch or do bad things.

Ruiz M. 8B

10/25/2024 04:41:55 pm

While social media has its advantages and disadvantages, it ultimately comes down to the awareness of the user. There's no such thing as perfection; everything has its flaws, big or small. If all imperfect things were banned or removed, we would have nothing left. Many of the problems associated with social media can be prevented through an understanding of safe and unsafe usage. It starts with parents, who must be cautious of their children's social media use, monitoring their activity and teaching them how to avoid harmful situations. Social media should not be banned because of those who don't understand its dangers.

Thompson D 8B

10/25/2024 05:27:44 pm

Couldn't have said it better. Social media is controlled by the user, if the user that is using the social media understands what's going on and takes a break once in awhile all the complications we have in the world would be prevented.

Guzmán X 6B

10/25/2024 09:35:29 pm

I agree that social media has both good and bad sides, but it really comes down to how aware users are. No platform is perfect, and banning everything flawed wouldn't make sense. Many problems can be avoided with proper understanding of safe use. Parents need to monitor their kids and teach them about the risks. Instead of banning social media, we should help people use it responsibly.

Thompson D 8B

10/25/2024 05:25:04 pm

Social media is deeply integrated into teens' lives, and it can be hard to disconnect, especially when it’s a primary way to stay connected with friends and the world. The idea of "turning off" social media at certain hours could help, but it might also be seen as restrictive and could have unintended consequences.
Banning social media altogether might not be practical or fair, considering the positive aspects it can offer. Instead, a more balanced approach might be to promote digital literacy and mental health awareness. Encouraging healthy social media habits, setting boundaries, and providing support for those struggling with its negative effects could be more effective.
Ultimately, it's about finding ways to maximize the benefits of social media while minimizing its harms. This could involve collaboration between parents, educators, policymakers, and the platforms themselves to create a safer and healthier online environment for teens.

Hernandez, I 6b

10/25/2024 06:29:18 pm

Well said, the app makers shouldn't be the ones controlling the parents kids but instead can be discussed with them.

Hernandez, I 6b

10/25/2024 06:26:06 pm

Students wont put the social media away because they are addicted. Despite having suicidal thoughts or mean things being said about them they still cant get away from the attention that social media brings them. they have to know what's going on online because they grown so used to doing it it feels wrong when they aren't on social media 24/7. Now i don't think have social media being turned off at a certain time is reasonable. I think that people should take more responsibility and learn how to control how much they spend on social media.

Castillo V, 6B

10/25/2024 06:44:22 pm

Social media has its pros and cons. It has affected people with cyber bullying and other things. So this is nothing new all social medias have people who like to bully others. Saying that TikTok should be sued because of “harming children’s mental health” is pretty ridiculous to me because parent should be responsible and see what type of media they are on and how long they are on it. I just think parents should be the ones checking on their children’s and see what they watch and maybe also limit there time.

Guzmán X 6B

10/25/2024 09:33:49 pm

I agree that social media has both good and bad sides, and cyberbullying is an ongoing issue. Blaming TikTok for harming kids' mental health seems unfair. Parents need to take responsibility by monitoring what their children are doing online and how much time they spend on it. Being involved can help reduce some of the negative impacts of social media.

rivera d 4a

10/25/2024 07:33:35 pm

The lawsuits against TikTok raise serious concerns about how the app affects young people’s mental health and its addictive design. The attorneys argue that TikTok focuses more on making money than keeping users safe, which could worsen issues like anxiety and depression. This situation shows that there’s growing pressure on social media companies to take responsibility for their impact on teens.

Sinkfield, E 1A

10/25/2024 11:34:39 pm

Which it's sad to see all these major corporations who have such an influence on the youth, to take advantage of them just for the money. Cyber bullying is a very common thing among social media, and in most cases, these companies don't do anything to stop it, despite may having the resources to do so.

Presas A 6B

10/25/2024 07:36:29 pm

I would say I can agree with what their saying in the article that how social media can drain people out and put them into depression or even destroy their mental health by seeing others of how their life is or how they look comparing themselves to others who they see off social media can destroy how they think even their perspective of life with they kept comparing to others they seen through a screen and never meet before.And especially what young kids or teens see off of social media as well that their trying to make context but doesn't know that what there doing teens are seeing and thinking its cool and trying to copy them to try it out but I really don't think that they should say it 100% of social media fault or also Instagram and many other ones fault that what teens see because they know what they could be doing can be dangerous and can put them in harm.Social media can be both negative and positive but now these days some people don't really care what they say on them and they can be really rude or cruel to others and have no care in the world that what they just told that person can make the change there perspective and have them hate themselves and never try to make a video or post to show what they love to do because of other people negative comments.I can say TikTok is really big right now form other medias and have people always watching or making content it also has them glued to their phone like there is nothing to do that they just stay home glued to their phone instead of going out and trying to do something but therein the house being on electronics now 24/7.

Palacios R 1A

10/25/2024 08:36:24 pm

Social media's reach and influence are indeed immense. It brings connection, information, and entertainment, yet you constant scroll can become a real mental and emotional drain. Banning it altogether? That's pretty extreme, but some might argue it's the only way to curb its negative impact.

Tomas R 6B link

10/25/2024 08:38:50 pm

Sure Tiktok and many other social media may have some ups and downs, but to ban all social media all together is just an outrage. banning social media would mean thousands upon thousands of people losing their jobs since their job is social media, like being an influencer or a YouTuber. Also if the kids have a addiction to it, then they should try to find something to replace that addiction with something productive, or positive.

Guzmán X 6B

10/25/2024 09:32:06 pm

Social media has impacted teens for years, with issues like unrealistic expectations and cyberbullying. TikTok is no different. The idea of forcing a break seems unnecessary. If people cared about their well-being, they should know when to log off. It’s up to users, not the apps, to manage their time online.

Sinkfield, E 1A

10/25/2024 11:31:40 pm

I agree Guzman, as much as apps and others people outside judgment on what to do. It's up to those who spend those so much and who get bullied to stay off of social media, which was people need to help those individuals realize that.

Alvarez J 8B

10/25/2024 09:49:51 pm

Social media has become a major part in youth life and it's honestly inevitable for them to become addicted to it. I, myself have been so addicted to it that my mental health started deteriorating. Having something so addictive in the palm of your hand can make it almost impossible for you to not be addicted. Everything has its pros and cons but something the cons can overpower the pros. Toxic beauty trends and misinformation can really affect someones life. It's possible that sometimes you start comparing yourself to people on social media, especially TikTok. TikTok has really changed many things, either good or bad. What really affects people is the tendency to compare yourself to people in the videos. Its hard not to when you see people so perfect it feels fake. It could be editing and filters but how can you really prove that at first glance? Everything that's posted on TikTok is supposed to grab your attention on the first second so who would really like to over analyze the video instead of just watching it, feeling bad about yourself, and then move on to the next video.

Sinkfield, E 1A

10/25/2024 11:29:21 pm

Social media shouldn't be shut down, and they're has been measures to decrease the use of them. Like parents giving their kids a screen time, the companies themselves implementing certain videos to show that the user isn't on for too long. Although, with these methods they aren't full proof. Teenagers tend to absorb anything they see online, or still anything in general. So much so in some cases making social media such an important part in their life, they can't sleep. So the best hope is to try through social media to help get through to these kids who may have been bullied and provide a safe space. In a way, we can use the very thing that may hurt them, to the thing that may save them.

Miles D 4A

10/25/2024 11:45:22 pm

social media shouldn't have to put a time limit on the users becuase people should be able to limit themselvs if social media begins to take a negative impact on thier life.

Cavazos N 6B

10/25/2024 11:46:31 pm

While I don't agree upon that social media should be ultimately banned, I do think that a restriction should be take in place to those under 18. Social media plays a huge roll in everyones every day life and upright banning it with cause some huge backlash. Because of social media you are able to connect with family and friends, be up to date with the latest news, and be entertained. But also because of social media we have become addicted to our phones. Being addicted to your phone can have some negative effects to your body and mental health like lowered attention span, sleep deprivation, and decreased productivity. Many teachers on social media have also came out and said how many of the younger generation are falling behind and aren't on their grade level, because of social media. So while banning social media as a whole isn't the best play, having restrictions (especially for those under 13) wouldn't be so bad.

Garcia M 3A

10/27/2024 03:20:23 pm

The idea of limiting or regulating social media usage, especially among teens, raises important questions about mental health, personal autonomy, and the role of technology in their lives. The solution may lie not in strictly controlling access but in fostering a culture where healthy habits and self-regulation are prioritizing. Engaging teens in conversations about their online experiences and encouraging them to reflect on their social media use might be more effective than prohibition or enforced limits,

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Mixed Ink

Mixed Ink is our class blog, the window into our souls. It was designed to improve students' writing, critical thinking and communication skills by giving them a platform to provide meaningful content based on their interpretation of what they see.

Although the students receive a grade based on a rubric for completing this assignment, they are not graded on complexity of thought. This is a place where students of all levels can freely, confidently and creatively express themselves and their opinions in a nonjudgmental platform. They are required to respond to and critique each other, but degradation, slander, lewdness, etc., will not be tolerated.

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