Catie’s Closet values the perspective and voices of students. What better way to understand our students’ experiences than to hear from them directly? Through our Student Ambassador Program, Catie’s Closet gives local high school students the opportunity to share in detail the experiences of youth today so that we may learn more about their challenges as we work to support them.
In this post, Anna Kriscenski, Senior at Boston Latin School, discusses the pressures social media creates for children and teens in today’s digital world.
Social Media Access
I feel that today’s youth face a lot more pressure than previous generations in regards to their appearance and knowledge.
With access to technology becoming more and more easy, kids as young as preschool age are being influenced by what they see online.
It is impossible to keep up with all of the fashion fads and pop-culture references.
Don’t get me wrong, I love Instagram and I spend hours a day on TikTok. But what these apps have created is an environment in which kids have to be accustomed to a constant influx of new phrases, trends, and fashions.
Of course generations before us had magazines of people who exemplified an unattainable body image or wore clothing that no teen could afford, but with social media you can scroll for hours and you will never run out of pictures and videos. The toxic trend of never-ending influence is continued in the realm of communication within social media.
Social Media in School
At my school, every kid is provided with a Chromebook, and most of us have phones.
When there were only landlines and notes passed in class, talking face to face was the only real option during school hours. But now it can be achieved by a quick text or Snapchat message. All day long kids are able to communicate with each other, not leaving much time for individual thought or learning.
Not only is it stressful to be “on” all the time, it’s also distracting.
The combined pressures of needing to respond to a text in time but also knowing you could get your phone taken away creates a complicated situation. And in some cases it can be extremely worrying to be separated from your phone.
My generation has such a strong connection to their phones. We don’t memorize people’s numbers, all our photos are on them, they even serve as wallets.
As someone with parents who like to know what you are doing with whom and when at all times, having your phone taken creates a risk for an unpleasant conversation later.
Social Media and Clothing
Lastly, in tie with the work of Catie’s Closet, is fashion.
Social media influencers are always advertising some must-have new product.
This month I have received dozens of “my fall Amazon must haves” videos on my TikTok page.
Consumerism creates such a toxic culture for kids, especially those who can’t afford to change their wardrobe every month.
Brands like Shein and Yesstyle that profit from people trying to achieve popular styles with less money make buyers choose between not having style or contributing to companies who use child labor and pollute the environment.
No matter what anyone says, I am a firm believer that people always judge others based on how they look, at least at first.
When I entered my school in the 7th grade, I didn’t have Instagram and I felt like a complete outsider. I remember telling my mom that I thought everyone must have met up during the summer and decided how to dress without telling me.
This limited the friendships that I made during that year and severely damaged my self confidence.
Hope for the future
I know that it would be impossible to ask kids to stop using social media. But I hope that as generations begin to get used to it as a mode for self-expression that comparing yourself or others to people on apps will not be the norm.
There is so much pressure to BE the people you see online. I hope that the culture will evolve into one that only takes inspiration and doesn’t judge others on their inability to do so.
