Media’s Role in Shaping Your Perception of School
Your snooze your alarm for the last (and fifth) time before finally lugging yourself out of bed to get ready for first period. You have an AP test today you’ve barely studied for after getting home late from volleyball practice, a sport you’re only doing so you can write a college essay about your budding athleticism. Speaking of, applications are due this week and you need to recount every instance you’ve done something meaningful in the hopes that your accomplishments will be niche enough to get you an acceptance.
You’re walking to campus, weaving through the heavy press of people all trying to get somewhere, probably to their lectures that started 15 minutes ago because contrary to what your high school teachers told you, professors don’t care about attendance. You’re left to your devices which is why your last meal was an expired bowl of ramen noodles and you forgot about today’s club meeting. Maybe if you budget your time right (consult your local business major) you can still make it to the party tonight with all of your friends who insist going out is what college is about!
High school and college, both critical points in the lives of any young adult and yet simultaneously the most confusing of years. You have two goals that seem irreconcilable - socially developing and thriving and building an impressive academic repertoire. You are stuck on this seesaw of life, trying to balance and stay steady but you always find yourself tipping towards one end or the other.
Finding this balance between two equally important aspects of life is a challenge adults haven’t mastered quite yet. With the heavy presence of social media, TV and film, this pressure worsens. Youth feel the need to fit into the mold of a high school or college student that the media they so heartily consume has dictated to be true.
Movies that come to mind include “Legally Blonde” and “Pitch Perfect” both of which portray an unrealistic and damaging view of what it means to be a college student. In the former, Elle Woods gets into Harvard Law School with minimal qualifications and in the latter being part of the acapella club supersedes all other areas of life including academics and family.
These are two of many examples where media creates unrealistic and unattainable expectations for budding students or it narrows its focus on either the social or academic aspect of school, but never both in conjunction. All of this may contribute to the declining mental health and increased stress of students who feel cheated out of their life experiences when they arrive at school and find it to be nothing like what the media predicted.
The National Center on Safe Supportive Learning Environments reported that 44% of college students across 133 campuses reported feeling depression, 37% had high anxiety and 15% said they considered suicide. Creators can do their part to shift this narrative and produce content that alleviates students of the unfair or unrealistic expectations they believe to be associated with school.
Student #1, a senior at UCLA, looks back on what defined her high school experience and what served as the unrealistic standard she tried to uphold in college. Others students shared that high school involved playing a sport, after school activities and endless outings with friends but Student #1’s emphasis on stress stood out.
“I view [high school] as being unreasonably stressed about college and always going through weird character-developing moments to help you figure out who you are and who your friends are. ”
While the awkwardness of discovering oneself is a normal progression of high school, Student #1 explained that many TV shows made her believe that she could only embark on this self-discovery journey if the things she experienced were extreme, dramatic or all-consuming. She referenced TV shows like Euphoria, Gossip Girl, the OC and 90210 for creating scenarios that would never happen in real life and for fueling her disappointment when high school and college inevitably weren’t like that. It prompted her to wonder if she was forgoing a good high school experience or not preparing enough for college and life beyond.
Euphoria was celebrated for its honest portrayal of drug addiction amongst teens but it also bookmarked every high school experience with drugs, sex and crazy parties, something Student #1 felt shouldn’t be favored over showing an ordinary, awkward and sometimes boring but equally formative time in high school.
Student #2, a sophomore at UCLA agreed and said high school was more about “being socially awkward and having bad friends.”
She adds that TV shows also rely too heavily on stereotypes of high school students and cliques that can perpetuate toxic environments in real life. Rather than focus on unrealistic and isolating tropes like “the jocks” or “the popular kids” or “the nerds” she encourages the media to portray high school as a safe place to explore oneself and be ordinarily extraordinary.
The media has been criticized for this in the past and one of the underlying problems is casting. Teen characters are often cast as unrealistically and stereotypically attractive adults rather than teenagers. Myrna Hart, researcher at UCLA Center for the Study of Women, says this feeds into a larger issue about body-image, role models and perception of age.
“Viewers never really know what an older woman, say 50 or 60 or 70, should realistically look like,” she says in an interview with Teen Vogue. “This precludes women from having any positive role models for aging.”
A 20 or 30 year old adult’s appearance is fully developed and stays the same, which doesn't reflect the fluctuation of features that teenagers experience. If a character that a young viewer idolizes lacks the imperfect skin, changing weight and messy hair typical of a pubescent teen, there is a harmful disconnect from reality.
PhD and clinical psychologist Barbara Greenberg in an interview with Teen Vogue says that this "leads to all kinds of body-image and social-comparison issues and we know that social comparison can be a thief of joy.”
Students #1 and #2 push for more teenagers being cast as teen characters and for more ordinary and simple depictions of the high school experience. They believe there is value in capturing the quiet but important moments of self-discovery and identity exploration too.
The portrayal of college students in the media also creates a heavy disconnect between the screen and real-life. The use of stereotypical characters and romanticized plot lines contributes greatly to the schism students feel between being social and academic and their overall fear and uncertainty about the future.
When asked, students insisted that the media taught them college was not just about doing everything, but being good at everything too. It was about partying, drinking, having a friend group but also going to all your lectures, getting all As, volunteering, doing internships and holding board positions in clubs.
An example of one extreme is the TV show Girl Meets World where students abandon academic pursuits and treat the classroom like an open forum to discuss friendships, family and identity formation. On the other end, shows like Big Bang Theory show characters whose every aspect of life is defined by school and work. The show demeans characters who have aspirations and interests outside of academia and STEM.
Student #3, a sophomore early in her time at UCLA agrees it is important to be academically successful but wishes that the media portrayed academic interests in a more holistic manner.
“Doing good academically is actually important. In movies the people who work hard in school are made fun of but in reality it’s so important”
On the other hand, Student #4, a senior ending her time at UCLA, says she found college did embody some of the social stereotypes she saw on TV.
When asked what she sees as a typical college student she says, “it is a greek life college kid who focuses on classes but also goes out on weekends and is pretty lazy other than that.”
The conflicting opinions of students proves that yes, college life looks different for everybody but more importantly, that the media doesn’t show the importance of balancing both lifestyles, of pursuing a social life without forgoing an academic one and vice versa. This well rounded reality is a hard one for students to accept when they don’t have a clear and accurate example of it in the media.
Student #5, a senior who is the voice of many misrepresented students, wishes the media was instead honest about school and life falling somewhere in the middle.
“I wish the media addressed the way everyone wants college or their lives to look awesome and as good as possible and showed the moment of finally talking about how it isn’t perfect”
It is important to both study and socialize but there are healthier and more effective ways to maximize your time in college. The key is not falling into an extreme category of just partying and drinking or dedicating all your time to school and studying, rather structuring your time in college can help you balance it all.
The Jed Foundation encourages students to order their priorities, show up to class as much as possible, join clubs and socials and expect the path to be imperfect.
“Adjusting to college life isn’t easy for anyone, but in time you’ll figure out what works best for you,” the Jed Foundation says. “And, at any time along the way, you can reach out for the support you need and deserve.”
College is also a time of struggle for students discovering not just their academic interests but who they are and who they want to be. According to social comparison theory, people, especially students, determine their personal, social and academic worth and interests by comparing themselves to others. In fact, some peers are more likely targets of this attention than others based on their visibility and levels of perception.
With today’s youth easily and constantly perceiving television and film, it is no wonder students look toward their screen-counterparts for how to behave, look and act. Social media has also greatly contributed to this kaleidoscope of perception. With influencers and celebrities up close and personal, it’s easier for consumers to think their life should mimic theirs. As a result, average consumers build a warped idea of wealth and success but also a narrow idea of what it means to socially and academically thrive.
Some influencers are not in school and they find happiness in the daily content they post. Other influencers are in school but also balancing brand deals and red carpet events. Social media’s persuasive nature can convince impressionable youth that their success should look identical to that, that their lives need to be parallel to Charli Damelio’s or Kim Kardashian’s. In reality, social and personal success is multifaceted and a college student with 0 Instagram followers can be just as happy and prosperous.
With self-development falling directly into the hands of what we see in the media, it is more important than ever to abandon outdated and damaging stereotypes in favor of honest and authentic representation and to offer support to students who need it.
Student #4 encourages the industry to “ talk more about the mental health aspect of the high school/college experience” while Student #5 wants them to address “more issues with eating disorders and people trying to be stereotypically skinny and perfect.”
For kids approaching the milestone of high school and college, these changes could alter their perception of what it means to be a successful and happy student.
As Student #2 so aptly says, school is not a race to being the most beautiful, most successful, most intelligent, it is about learning something meaningful every step of the way.
“It is about preparing for life. Educate yourself and find how to problem solve in academics and your social life. Have fun and experience things to learn the correct way to respond and to be happy. ”
A Note from the Gen Z Authors of the 2023 Teens & Screens Report
Less romance and more friendship - this is what the adolescents of our 2023 study have asked to see from media, entertainment & storytellers (among other things).
As researchers in the industry, this felt like a headline-worthy discovery. But as young people, this felt like an idea that could casually blend into our many conversations and reflections on community (or lack thereof) that have been centerstage for our generation this year.
Late night musings with friends, discourse on social media, and personal meditation on what it means to connect and bond with others have all been consequential “gifts” from the COVID-19 pandemic. The outbreak and the isolation that came with it occupied pivotal years of emotional and relational growth for much of Gen Z, with current high school freshmen being in 5th grade (!) when stay-at-home orders were first announced.
Even as we’ve returned to more in-person routines, articles and YouTube essays on persisting loneliness continue to float around: some with a more analytical perspective, exploring reasons we may have entered “the Friendship Recession,” others more personal and titled with a simple but heartbreaking “I have no friends.”
So what’s the sitch? Earlier this year, U.S Surgeon General Vivek Murthy declared an epidemic of loneliness and isolation, his advisory confirming that the pandemic simply brought an existing issue to the forefront of our collective consciousness. Social connection has already been declining for decades prior, with the rate of loneliness among young adults having increased every year between 1976 and 2019. Quite surprisingly, young adults today are twice as likely to report feeling lonely than those over 65.
Gen Z is already discussing solutions: #UrbanPlanning on TikTok currently has 434.2M Views, with a frequently discussed topic being “walkable cities” and how they are needed for social well-being. A trending sub-topic is the necessity of “third places,” a social environment such as a bookstore or diner, separate from one’s living or working spaces, “where you relax in public, where you encounter familiar faces and make new acquaintances.” Think Central Perk in Friends!
The problem is, there aren’t many third places left for young people. From the death of malls, to the criminality of “loitering,” and a transactional culture that demands spending money to hang out in such a place - where do young people go?
Arguably, as “digital natives,” media (particularly, social media) is where young people tend to land on as their third place.
How does this digital third space contribute to this generation’s collective identity? In our opinion, what’s crucial for storytellers to grasp about Gen Z isn’t the latest slang or weekly trends. Rather, what’s important is understanding the expanded worldview that comes with growing up on the internet and being able to interact with a myriad of different perspectives. What’s important is understanding how the opportunities they’ve had to explore their own identities and understand others’ identities have shifted and changed the kinds of stories they’re open to, the kind of characters they want to see front and center, and the storylines they believe to be authentic.
And while it’s essential to examine how this “digital native” identity sets Gen Z apart from previous generations, it’s also important to acknowledge that they are the same as previous generations: they are social beings that need face-to-face interaction, something that digital connectedness cannot replace.
We received the following response from a 12-year-old participant in Oklahoma:
“The Sand Lot is a baseball movie i like. i wish i could go outside and play like [they] did at the time. today its not safe”
Though simple, his words felt like a poignant representation of what many of our respondents seemed to be hinting at: that the core essence of kids (at heart) and teens will always be the same – from camaraderie to curiosity and a sense of adventure (or even just playing outside) – and it appears that somewhere along the way, this may have been forgotten in storytelling.
So young people are feeling a lack of close friendships, a separation from their community, and a sense that their digital citizen identity has superseded their sense of belonging in the real world - What can you do about it?
Well, it goes without saying that life and art are in perpetual conversation with one another. But, we cannot underestimate the role art has in this dynamic: Oscar Wilde shared in his 1891 essay, The Decay of Lying, that despite the existence of fog in London for centuries, its beauty and wonder is noticed because “poets and painters have taught the loveliness of such effects…They did not exist till Art had invented them.”
Storytelling (as an art) has the incredible power to influence the mood of the zeitgeist and the lens through which people see the world. Ask young people what it is they want to see, then listen: Shine a light on the ideas, characters, and relationships they desire in your stories, and the same light will appear in the real world.
Teen Blog Competition - February 2021
What would Leslie Knope do? Reflect on your own experiences and share your perceptions about how civic engagement is portrayed on TV. How do you think it could be better addressed? Feel free to draw from what you have perceived to be negative and/or positive portrayals.
Winning Entry:
Poppy McElrue, 14
Civic engagement is the active participation of individuals or groups aiming to address public concerns. This includes volunteering to help a community, working to maintain and improve living spaces, or voting in government elections. These are activities we’re familiar with, and may even be involved in, partially due to the effect of the media. We watch television from a young age - our perceptions of politics and widespread issues are shaped significantly by our exposure to shows. Clearly, the TV industry is an important tool for influencing communities, so when it comes to civic engagement, what does it do right and wrong?
A TV show that stands out in the field of civic engagement is Parks and Recreation. It follows main character Leslie Knope, a relentlessly optimistic, cheery government employee. While most of the main cast work in the parks department of Pawnee, Indiana, the show as a whole covers many topics relating to politics and public service. Parks and Recreation presents civic engagement as what it truly is - people working to address public issues, despite the difficulty they may face. For me, Leslie Knope is the embodiment of what it means to be a public servant. The show focuses significantly on Leslie’s pursuits of happiness, justice and equality, showing her unconditional love for her community. Despite most of the show surrounding Leslie, it is ultimately about how her active spirit encourages those around her, and by the end of the series she rarely faces a challenge without the support of her friends. The show’s core messages of friendship, love and public service is what makes it such an influential and positive representation of civic participation, showing the difference it can make to many lives.
Despite this, I believe that in the industry of show business there is an evident lack of representation for civic engagement. Politics is a well-covered subject, whether through positive or negative portrayals, but other areas of public service are constantly overlooked. This may seem insignificant, but it could have a profound effect on how community engagement is perceived. Civic participation in younger generations has declined over recent years - many young people choose not to vote or participate in politics. To combat this, the TV industry must play a part: many young people are avid TV-watchers or Netflix-bingers. More positive portrayals of civic engagement on TV, similar to Parks and Recreation’s influential messages, are useful tools for encouraging our society’s youth to contribute to their community.
Civic engagement is a crucial part of maintaining democracy. To encourage more people to participate, portrayals in TV should aim to be accurate, engaging and positive. Characters like Leslie Knope are incredibly influential - if a show like Parks and Recreation can encourage thousands of young people to become more engaged in society, imagine how many more would participate if other shows also presented civic engagement as it truly is - an essential, powerful and inspirational way to aim for the greater good.
Finding Your Spark in the Digital Age
Growing up in the American school system, my English teachers always obsessively praised Shakespeare as the greatest playwright to ever exist, assigning his plays as part of our required reading. Whether it be Othello, Romeo & Juliet, or Hamlet, I often struggled to grasp the content and message of his plays. However, one quote from Shakespeare has always stuck with me. In the play As You Like It, Jacques says “All the world’s a stage, and all the men and women merely players.”
The Digital Age
In today’s digital age, we are constantly performing for each other every moment of every day. Social media has blurred the line between audience and performer. We stare at our small rectangular screens for affirmation and self-worth, constantly comparing ourselves to the accomplishments and livelihoods of others. What do we want more than to lie in our bed at the end of the day and just watch our life as a satisfied audience member? Whether it be LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or TikTok, we are constantly reminded that there are people who are more attractive than us, who are more accomplished than us, who are better than us. Now, these platforms aren’t inherently bad. We are more connected with our friends and family around the world than ever before. Information has never been more accessible. However, the algorithms have created a system where we aren’t the consumer, but the product. This can take a toll on an individual, especially in a capitalist society that demands that we perform as a measurement of success. We’re constantly questioned by teachers, neighbors, friends, and family about what we want to be when we grow up. Is it a realistic and sustainable goal? How can you actively pursue it? Do you have a back-up plan? And the consequences are considerable. As the pandemic continues, the number of people reporting anxiety and depression nationwide is at an all-time high, hitting young people the hardest. Thus, content creators and industry decision-makers have a moral responsibility to address these issues, as what we view on-screen reaches beyond entertainment into the topics of mental health, identity, and purpose.
My Experience
When I first went to college, I began having panic attacks for the first time in my life. Moving away from home and becoming independent was something I was not prepared for. I just felt overwhelmed by all of these expectations and responsibilities to perform. Still, the stigma around mental health especially in the Asian community dissuaded me from seeking help. I powered through it on my own, with some successes and many failures along the way. However, by my junior year, the panic attacks became so unbearable that I knew it was time for the last resort and I decided to seek therapy. And I’m glad to say that it’s been of tremendous help. Don’t get me wrong, I still get anxious, but I’ve slowly begun to learn to take everything one step at a time, to appreciate the little things, and most of all, to not align my self-worth with my accomplishments. Being an avid film lover, I wondered if there was a movie that captured my lived experience but could not find one that truly spoke to me. Then, on Christmas Day, Disney+ released their latest installment to the Pixar canon, Soul.
Finding Your Spark
While movies are meant to entertain, I’ve always been drawn to films that inspire. Soul accomplishes both by treating its audience not as mindless zombies but as capable, intelligent beings with articulate thoughts. Its central theme is that finding a purpose or passion isn’t what makes someone a person — just existing, and living, makes you a person. True fulfillment can only be found when we stop performing for others and find beauty in the everyday things that life has to offer. It can be the effervescent glow of sunlight as it gleams through our bedroom window, the taste of morning brewed coffee, the sound of laughter with a loved one, or the smell of the sky after a night of pouring rain. Getting through a tumultuous 2020 is an award in itself, you shouldn’t feel self-critical if you didn’t get your dream job or GPA. Having goals is normal, but don’t let your dreams and the desire for success distract you from the beauty of life, otherwise, you’re at risk of it becoming an obsession and you may become like one of those monsters in Soul, withering your life away filled with regret once death comes knocking. Your spark isn’t a passion, it’s the very essence, or soul, that indicates a human is a human and you are ready to live.
In Pixar’s previous film Inside Out, Riley has an imaginary friend named Bing Bong who I consider to be the greatest Disney Pixar character ever. He represents the spirit of childhood within us all, and he sacrifices himself so that Joy could get back to headquarters, causing Riley to forget him in the process. It represents that we must lose our childhood innocence to function in society, but I argue that it’s that exact childlike wonder that holds the key to our fulfillment. Life itself is simply meant to be lived, so enjoy the little things and be grateful for what you already have instead of longing for what you don’t. As creatives, you can teach your audience through your content to learn more from young people, maintain that youthfulness in your soul, and most importantly, never forget your Bing Bong.
Actionable Insights
Treat your audience with intelligence and don’t be afraid of weighty themes
Write characters that don’t tie their self worth with their passion/career, and instead live a balanced lifestyle
Start a conversation about using social media responsibly, emphasizing the content rather than the screen time
Emphasize in plot points the importance of actively living every day with gratitude, finding joy in the little things, and not comparing one’s self to others
Provide resources and supplemental material for children and adolescents seeking help
CSS Intern
Gen Z Slang: From Coast to Coast
Despite being connected online, no matter what state you’re from, each city still retains its own language, slang, and vernacular. At my public high school in Los Angeles, we had our own secret language. A party was a “yart,” and if it got busted by the cops it was “rolled.” A beer was a “brewsky,” an uber was an “ubis,” and school was “skizz.” The way some of the boys from my high school talked was a little bit ridiculous [or maybe a lot ridiculous]. If I tried to use these words in front of anyone that didn’t live in Los Angeles, they would have no idea what was going on.
When I came to college and used these words around my roommate from the East Coast, she would look at me with a blank stare. It’s interesting to note that people around the world all have different terms for everyday things. Teenagers are often blamed for dismantling standard linguistic patterns, but I have often found it’s a way we connect with the people we live around. When I found other friends from the same place I was, it felt comforting that they knew the way I talked.
Although I’m not a linguistics major, I find it fascinating how we all make up words and phrases that become a part of our day to day speech.
Last year, I stumbled upon a British show called Love Island, which is a reality show that mixes people from different parts of the United Kingdom in a villa for about eight weeks. As a bystander, the way they talked felt so elegant and fun, but to them, it was just normal.
From the West Coast to the East Coast to the United Kingdom, here are a few English words or phrases that have different meanings to Gen Z depending on the place:
When Someone is Good Looking
A typical American thing to say when you find someone attractive is to call them hot, but in California oftentimes people will say “he or she is ‘fire.’” However, on Love Island, people will call a person “fit” if they find them attractive. Typically, when I think of the word fit, I would think they were in good shape, but in the United Kingdom it might mean you find them super attractive.
When You Agree With Something
In California, when someone agrees with what you are saying, a typical response is to say “I feel” or “I feel you” or “I feel that.” When I started college, I noticed all the East Coast kids would say “word” every time they agreed with what I said. I thought “word” was something people said in 2006, but I guess I was wrong.
Not Sure Why We Call Water This…
Something that both East and West Coasters say is “wince” for water or adding “ince” to the endings of things. I have no idea why people do this, other than the fact that they think it sounds cool when in reality, it doesn’t.
When You Want to Go to a Party
Another difference between the East Coast and the West Coast is the words we use for parties. On the West Coast, a party during the day is a “dayge” but on the east coast it’s called a “darty.” If you’ve ever seen the Real Bros of Simi Valley, a show about four young men who live in a California town in the Valley, they call their small get-togethers a “kickback.” While I thought this was widely known, my friends on the East Coast had no idea what I was talking about when I used the term. Instead they call it a “hang out.”
This One’s Pretty Shocking!
This one may be universal for English, but whenever I would feel shocked about something I would say “I’m shook” or “I’m shooketh.” The most surprising word I learned, though, was from my roommate who said “wig” if you were ever surprised by anything. Essentially it means that you are so shocked that your wig fell off.
When You’re Not Feeling Too Good
This one is kind of disturbing, but in Los Angeles, if you had to throw up people would either call it “yak” or “boot.” In other places, they would most likely just call it “vomit,” but it was more fun this way. If you were able to “rally” then you’d call it the old “boot and rally,” which is more of a universal English phrase, but teenagers love to make it their own.
This One is Trouble
Whenever someone got in trouble, a typical thing you would say is that person is grounded, right? At my high school, if someone or a party got in trouble, we would call that being “rolled.” On the East Coast people called that “busted.”
When You’re Upset
If you’re angry, a way you would express that is by saying “I’m heated” or “I’m fuming.” In Love Island, if someone was upset, they would say “I’m pied off” (similar to “I’m pissed off”).
Getting Along With Someone
Typically, Americans would say “we hit it off” when we get along with someone we are interested in, but in Love Island they like to say they had “banter.” They also say we “crack on” or “get on,” meaning they got along well with the person and can make jokes with them.
In Conclusion…
Why do different regions across the world have different lingo that they use? How does this even start? Our lingo and the way we speak constantly changes over the years and is dependent on who we are around. The way my parents used to talk isn’t the same way that teenagers in high school talk now. Our virtual world has caused Gen Z to start trends across the country with what phrases and words we say. After living in my hometown in Los Angeles and going to college with people from all over America, I have learned that each region still has its own English lingo. Midwesterns say “pop” but I say “soda,” East Coasters say “seltzer” but I say “sparkling water,” Southerners say “y’all” but I say “you guys.” Whether the way we talk is regional or from online, our communication is what keeps us connected to other people.
Chloe Uhls
Former CSS Intern
Article adapted from “English Slang at It’s Finest,” as it appeared on Flique Editorial.
What Teens Really Think About Their Social Media Lives: Tips for Storytellers
Social Media and Teens
© Photo by Jen Siska
In Common Sense Media’s latest research, teens share their experiences on everything from digital distraction to how social media makes them feel.
What teenagers look like they’re doing and what they’re actually doing can be two totally different things — especially when it comes to social media. A bored-looking ninth-grader could be majorly bonding with her new BFF on Snapchat. A 10th-grade gamer may complain loudly when you cut off his internet but be secretly relieved. An awkward eighth-grader may be YouTube’s hottest star. To find out what’s really going on in teens’ social media lives, Common Sense Media polled more than 1,100 13- to 17-year-olds in its latest nationally-representative research, Social Media, Social Life: Teens Reveal Their Experiences. The new study updates our 2012 study on teens and social media with surprising new findings that address many of parents’ most pressing concerns about issues such as cyberbullying, depression, and even the popularity of Facebook (spoiler alert: It’s not).
Why now? Today, 89 percent of teens have their own smartphones (compared with 41 percent in 2012). They grew up right alongside Instagram and Snapchat. They do research papers on Google Classroom, find emotional support on teen forums, share poetry on Tumblr, and may text “I love you” before they’d ever say it to your face. But concerns over the negative consequences of social media have grown in tandem with its popularity among teens. Grim reports on teen suicide, addiction, cyberbullying, and eroding social skills have caused many people, from parents to teachers to the tech industry itself, to look at social media as a potential contributor — if not the cause — of these issues. This survey clarifies some of those concerns and draws attention to the reasons some kids are deeply affected by — and connected to — their digital worlds.
Key Findings of Social Media Report & Actionable Insights:
Thumbs mostly up. Only a very few teens say that using social media has a negative effect on how they feel about themselves; many more say it has a positive effect. Twenty-five percent say social media makes them feel less lonely (compared to 3 percent who say more); eighteen percent say it makes them feel better about themselves (compared to 4 percent who say worse); and 16 percent say it makes them feel less depressed (compared to 3 percent who say more).
Managing devices is hit or miss. Many turn off, silence, or put away their phones at key times such as when going to sleep, having meals with people, visiting family, or doing homework. But many others do not: A significant number of teens say they “hardly ever” or “never” silence or put away their devices.
Less talking, more texting. In 2012, about half of all teens still said their favorite way to communicate with friends was in person; today less than a third say so. But more than half of all teens say that social media takes them away from personal relationships and distracts them from paying attention to the people they’re with.
Vulnerable teens need extra support. Social media is significantly more important in the lives of vulnerable teens (those who rate themselves low on a social-emotional well-being scale). This group is more likely to say they’ve had a variety of negative responses to social media (such as feeling bad about themselves when nobody comments on or likes their posts). But they’re also more likely to say that social media has a positive rather than a negative effect on them.
Tips for Storytellers:
Show kids (and their parents) putting phones away or on “do not disturb” at key times, such as mealtimes or bedtime. Kids know social media can get in the way of important things, but they have a hard time regulating their own use. Modeling mindful and intentional use can help to normalize behaviors. It’s also worthwhile to depict kids who take phone breaks for a day or more to feel less distracted, or to avoid digital drama.
Highlight the teens who need the most help. An honest depiction of teen social media use for a depressed teen might include a teen feeling unusually happy after receiving online validation (through likes or replies), but also deeply affected by comparing themselves negatively to others online (like on Instagram), or not getting likes or feedback after posting something.
Show the creative side of media to inspire teens to use media to learn and grow. Teens express themselves in a variety of ways on social media: creating and sharing art, photography, poetry and other writing, and music. Take care to show kids creating with their mobile devices, and not just consuming or mindlessly scrolling.
To find out the latest on what teens are doing on social media, check out Common Sense Media.
Michael Robb, Ph.D.
Senior Director of Research, Common Sense
Collaborator of The Center for Scholars & Storytellers
Caroline Knorr
Senior Parenting Editor, Common Sense
From In Front to Behind the Camera
If you wander through Sinking Ship Entertainment during the summer months, you might think you’ve entered into an episode of Odd Squad, where the characters from multiple children’s TV show posters lining the walls have come to life in young adult form, working entry-level jobs right in front of your eyes.
But your eyes aren’t playing tricks on you. The unmistakable redhead sitting in the accounting office with laser focus is indeed the grown-up version of Daniel Cook, whom the world fell in love with over a decade ago when he starred in Sinking Ship’s very first show, “This is Daniel Cook”.
And the teenager with impeccable fashion that you see working away in the editing department is indeed the star of the show that took home the Daytime Emmy Award for best preschool program – Trek Buccino from Dino Dan: Trek’s Adventure.
The most convincing clue that you’re in an episode of Odd Squad, however, would be “Agent Oscar” (or Sean Kyer) sitting in the middle of the production department, working away with the same zest he had as the quirky scientist at Odd Squad’s headquarters.
But there’s more – if you were to step onto the set of Dino Dana, you might catch the sight of Annedroids star “Anne” (Addison Holley) shadowing various directors, or Annedroids’ “Nick” (Jadiel Dowlin) checking in on episodes he wrote (yes, you read that correctly, a teenage scriptwriter!).
Daniel was the first to return to Sinking Ship, and partner J.J. Johnson could not have been more thrilled that the little boy who inspired the start of the company was now “coming home” to work there as a young adult. Since then, J.J. has delighted in welcoming back several former cast members and helping them discover their passion. These talented young adults could be doing anything (including acting; in fact, 3 of the 5 mentioned are Emmy-nominated actors!), yet they have chosen to lend their talents behind the scenes, where they have a unique perspective and expertise to share. J.J. is not unconvinced that they’ll all be running the place some day!
See below for insight from 4 of these individuals on what surprised them from going in front to behind the camera, and some of their thoughts on children’s TV content!
Colleen Russo Johnson, PhD
A Senior Fellow of The Center for Scholars and Storytellers
*In addition to her role as a Senior Fellow of CSS, Colleen Russo Johnson is also the Director of Research at Sinking Ship Entertainment and married to Sinking Ship partner J.J. Johnson.
