In the last decade social media has been implemented into our lives more than ever before. From kids to adults, social media is used for information, advice, communication, but most of all, entertainment. Almost every teen will say they wouldn’t know what to do without their phone but some people believe life would be better without social media and smartphones.
On Jan 17, 2024, the supreme court passed the ban on TikTok due to speculations that China gets information about the United States through TikTok. With this, many questions have come up. Would the ban really be that bad? Would life without TikTok be better?
“I think people are getting lost in their phones and communication is lacking,” history teacher Sean Murphy said. “They’re not really developing any relationships with anyone.“
Growing up in this period of technology it’s noticeable that people in social situations choose to be on their phones instead of engaging in a conversation.
“Developing those conversational ,work , and future skills are important,” Murphy said.
Students communicate by talking over a screen rather than growing up learning and communicating in person.
“Without social media people would put their phones down more often because they wouldn’t have much to do on it,” sophomore Zac Keenan said.
The TikTok ban gave hopes for a difference in people’s screen usage, but the ban only lasted 12 hours because President Donald Trump assumed office and lifted the ban for 75 days.
The reason for his decision was because he used the app himself. According to CNN 10, President Trump claims to have won the youth vote by a significant margin because of TikTok promoting him. A poll in 2023 claimed that half of Americans support the ban of TikTok but it is unpopular with young generations.
“Apps like TikTok do give me inspiration for projects and it’s easy to look things up,” sophomore Reese Noonan said.
While it makes life easier for the younger generation because it gives them help with things such as school, the youth is not who should be on their phones the most. In their free time, kids should be with their friends or playing outside.
“People spend a lot of time living in a nonrealistic world of seeing what other people are doing or what other people have instead of just focusing on themselves,” Murphy said.
Social media and apps like TikTok provide such an easy access to the lives of others resulting in comparison and jealousy. Growing up in this environment creates a lack of confidence and bad mental health in life. Social media is very unrealistic, it only gives a little highlight of someone’s life.
Students who don’t have a phone or who don’t have social media have dramatic behavior differences seen.
“There’s actually better behavior, kids can talk or be quiet and get their work done instead of being glued three inches away from their phone.” Murphy said.
You get more done when you have no distractions and a huge distraction is social media or ultimately, TikTok. If the ban were to be upheld, more students would be able to concentrate and get more work done inside of the classroom. Ultimately, the TikTok ban would have been beneficial for the younger generations.
