Social Media and the Society We Create | Annelise Jackson | TEDxClassicalAcademyHS

Summary

In this video, 17-year-old Annelise Jackson reflects on her decision to quit social media due to its negative impact on mental health and the toxic environment it fosters. She highlights how platforms like Instagram and Twitter contribute to insecurities, political polarization, and unrealistic beauty standards, especially for teens. Annelise shares her personal struggles with comparison, body image, and the pressures of online culture, offering solutions for positive change. She encourages kindness, authenticity, and critical thinking, urging others to consider their impact on social media and to promote a more compassionate and mindful online space.

Takeaways

• 😀 Social media can be overwhelming, leading to negative mental health effects, especially for teens.
• 😀 Platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and Snapchat often encourage unhealthy comparisons, contributing to body image issues.
• 😀 Social media algorithms amplify content that generates strong reactions, which can lead to a cycle of mindless scrolling.
• 😀 The rise of 'call-out culture' on social media contributes to a toxic environment, where people are quick to criticize others without full context.
• 😀 Teens often feel pressure to portray an exaggerated, glamorous lifestyle on social media, leading to feelings of insecurity.
• 😀 Political content and debates on social media can become suffocating, polarizing, and stressful, especially during times of crisis like the COVID-19 pandemic.
• 😀 Many teens, including the speaker, have deleted their social media accounts to protect their mental health from the constant pressure and toxicity.
• 😀 Studies have shown that social media can distort body image perceptions, contributing to conditions like anorexia and bulimia.
• 😀 Annelise Jackson advocates for kindness, suggesting that even simple compliments can have a significant positive impact.
• 😀 Being authentic and candid on social media, instead of adhering to unrealistic portrayals, can help create a safer and more relatable space for others.
• 😀 Annelise encourages critical thinking before posting or engaging with content online, using the 'rule of ten' to reflect on how actions will be perceived in the future.

Q & A

What is 'call-out culture' as described in the script?

Call-out culture refers to the trend of publicly criticizing or canceling individuals, often on social media, for perceived wrongdoings or mistakes. This can involve targeting celebrities, politicians, or even everyday people, sometimes leading to a toxic online environment.

How does social media contribute to mental health struggles among teenagers?

Social media contributes to mental health struggles by promoting unrealistic standards of beauty, lifestyle, and success. Teenagers may feel pressure to conform to these ideals, leading to issues like body image problems, self-esteem issues, and even eating disorders.

What role do algorithms play in shaping social media content?

Social media algorithms prioritize content that garners higher engagement (likes, comments, shares, etc.), which often results in users being exposed to sensational, attention-grabbing posts. This design encourages longer time spent on the platform, benefiting advertisers but potentially exacerbating negative emotional effects.

Why did the speaker, Annelise Jackson, decide to delete her Instagram account?

Annelise deleted her Instagram account because the political content and the pressures of portraying a perfect life online became overwhelming. She felt suffocated by the polarized discussions and the unrealistic expectations of social media.

What is the 'rule of ten' mentioned in the script, and how does it apply to social media?

The 'rule of ten' is a reflective mindset to help individuals evaluate the potential long-term impact of their actions on social media. It asks, 'Will you be proud of your post or interaction in 10 seconds, 10 minutes, 10 hours, or even 10 years from now?' This encourages people to think carefully about their online behavior.

How does social media foster comparison and insecurity among teenagers?

Social media fosters comparison by presenting highly curated, idealized versions of people's lives. Teenagers may compare themselves to these portrayals, leading to feelings of inadequacy, especially when their real-life experiences don't align with the glamorous or perfect images they see online.

What are some of the negative effects of social media on body image, according to the script?

The script mentions that social media can distort body image, especially for young girls. The constant exposure to filtered or edited images can contribute to conditions like anorexia and bulimia, as teens strive to meet unrealistic beauty standards.

What suggestions does Annelise Jackson offer to improve social media culture?

Annelise suggests three main actions: 1) Be kind and offer genuine compliments rather than criticism. 2) Be authentic in social media posts to encourage others to do the same. 3) Think carefully before posting, considering the long-term impact of your words and actions.

What impact can kindness on social media have, according to the speaker?

Kindness on social media can have a profound impact by making others feel supported and valued. Small acts of kindness, like offering compliments or avoiding hurtful comments, can help create a more positive environment and may even improve someone's mental well-being.

Why is it important to think critically about what we read and post on social media?

It’s important to think critically because social media often presents biased or one-sided views. By considering multiple perspectives before reacting or posting, individuals can form well-rounded opinions and avoid contributing to misinformation or unnecessary conflict.