Social Media and Teenage Self-Esteem

A short animated video in a teenage perspective about social media and self-esteem.

[luvour_]

Researching for my Exposé about the impact Social media has on the perception of self worth in teenagers/ adolescents.

From what I read in the comments I just wanted to say that I am very glad that there are teacher out there that discuss these things. There is a sad connection between social media usage and teen-suicide.

Thanks to every single one trying to bring awareness to this. You rock.

[bradw]

now this is quality content from our one and only teachers

[charleshurstreinvention]

Not just teens but adults as well. There is something that will impede your advancement as I told my own subscribers. Addiction to social media. Now social media can be a good thing for advertising your business, YT channel or the like. But having your entire existence based on it is not. First there is the unhealthy aspect of comparing yourself to other profiles which usually aren't nearly as stellar in real life as they are on the front page. Then there is the aspect where your validation is being sought from people you rarely talk to in real life--if ever. Not to mention the constant quest of follows and likes also drops minute amounts of dopamine in your system literally physically making you addicted to social media. Which leads to later anxiety increase and depression. But also--if you are spending all your time on your iPhone then you aren't advancing yourself. Think about how much more you could learn about stock trading if you cut social media 90% down? That's my end point. It should be a very small part of your life not the center of it. Hope that helps someone out there---Charles

[danieldini]

i love this vid. it’s just what i needed.

[that_claus]

great vid very clean animations ur underrated im sure u will blow up soon

[isabelmarcal]

Hello! I was wondering if I may use this video for an assignment? thanks so much for the great work!

[Kentesh_]

This video made my day I splurged everywhere what have I done 😢😢😢😢

[MumLife]

i think its such a bad idea having social media i deleted mine over 2 years ago and its the best thing i did.

[v-ballwoman]

To me in my opinion, it doesn't seem like tip #2 is just going to work it out for me, because if I just delete one social media app, then it's like you have to start it all over again and there's no turning back no matter what happens.

[theblackchefjustice]

This is what that movie cuties is all about!

[Ava-jvzc]

This video help me alot thank you so much🥰🥰

[tashadore]

hi this video is brilliant, it would go really well with my assignment could i potentially use this video for my assignment?

[powershiftcoaching]

Hi Celeste,

My name is Keith Senzer and I am a Youth Empowerment and Leadership Coach.
I am currently finishing a Social Emotional Leaning Program with a colleague and we are using videos to introduce the topics.

I was hoping to get your permission to use this video in our workbook. It will be an online course, a taught course in schools and a workbook to sell to individuals and educators.

We would just have the link in our book.

Please let me know if this would be acceptable.

Our only purpose is to heal our world through Social Emotional Leaning for Middle and High School Youth.

Thank you for your consideration.

Keith and Jodi

[ashaleeservice]

Here for my english sba about social media on one's mental health

[andrewthomas]

Good job! What animation program did you use?

[annette]

I have to watch this video for an assignment for pe

[nurinsyirahwirdani]

Hi Celeste, your video is very inspiring and good :) Can I ask your permission to download the video and using it in my assignment regarding how media affects emotional and value development in adolescent? Thank you so much for your kindness :)

[nathandunn]

Hello! I am leaving this comment for a college homework assignment. I am analyzing this video (but more so this topic) based on the book [Infinite Bandwidth: Encountering Christ in the Media]. I hope this is okay! May God Bless whoever reads this!

The First Media Key: Balance

The first media key, balance, is essential to implement when it comes to social media. It is also, perhaps, the most recognizable media key for parents (and others) who have not been formally introduced to the 7 Media Keys. "Without balance, without a willingness to look at media from every angle, we cannot form right judgments. We run the risk of bias and, ultimately, ignorance (Gan, pg. 22)." The first step to applying the first media key is to practice [reasonable] restraint with our use of media. It is only through this restraint that teens and parents can overcome these struggles of social media influence together. According to Helen Thai, the leader of the study, and her colleagues, "[the] youth spend about six to eight hours each day on screens. A lot of that time is spent on social media sites, where they may see hundreds or thousands of images, internalizing them (Munez, 2023)."

The Second Media Key: Attitude Awareness

The second media key, attitude awareness, enables us to "maintain a critical perspective about the messages coming at us through the media. We're [humans] susceptible to the media's messages because we're sensory creatures. We acquire knowledge through [the five senses]. We experience friendship in conversation and time spent together, and we experience rejection by the absence of the same (Gan, pg. 37-38)."

All this goes to say that, the media we consume affects us in multiple ways, both externally and internally. In her statement on social media, Helen Thai commented, "Not only are there celebrities and influencers on there, but it's also people within your [teens'] social circle, which can make comparison a bit more easy (Munez, 2023)."

With the proper use of balance and attitude awareness, social media could be used to improve young adults' mental health, rather than distort it. The Christian term for attitude awareness is "prudence", but a more universal term could be "conscientious". The important thing is to notice where you (or your children) are struggling with social media, and seek out the resources to help you conquer those fears / anxieties.

The Third Media Key: The Dignity of the Human Person

Although the name of the third media key may have a Christian attachment to it, upholding human dignity applies to everyone - people from all walks of life. This is especially true with our use, consumption, and production of media. "Social media can bring people together and helps us create a world that is more truly human, a civilization governed by charity. Social media can help us actualize, live, and express our dignity…but only when used wisely; when used to facilitate, not replace real world relationships (Gan, pg. 56-57)."

When using social media, it is important to ask yourself a few questions. Am I potentially harming or disrespecting myself or others with the things I post/save/share? Is what I am watching making me feel anxious or upset? If so, how?

The Fourth Media Key: Truth-filled

There are two primary (and necessary) ways to implement the fourth media key with social media.

1. Be your true self -- everything from your profile picture, to your posts, to your interactions with others, and much more, should reflect who you are as a person. This includes your beliefs, your interests, your family life, your struggles, your successes, and even your favorite color (to name a basic example).

2. Show your genuine progress in life. Choosing how much or how little to share is an important decision, since there are issues like cyberbullying out there. However, if you are comfortable, share your small victories as well as your defeats. Again, be as vague or descriptive as you want. For example, if you get an A on an assignment, share that! If you do poorly on another assignment, share that (without as many details). Let those you care about the most know how you're doing in your daily life. The people who truly care about you will want to know those things, and may even reach out to help.

Nancy Mramor, a psychologist in Pittsburgh, said that, "In everything, it's important to compare yourself only to yourself. For example, compare your weight today to what it was last week (Munez, 2023)." She was not involved in the study, however.

The Fifth Media Key: Inspiring

"Media should inspire us towards our 'transcendent identity' (Gan, pg.84)." It should point us to the three transcendentals - beauty, truth, and goodness. In other words, the media we share and view should point us to God, or lift our spirits in some fashion. When I say, "lift our spirits", I don't mean that in the same way a Hallmark card "lifts our spirits" (makes us feel better) for a brief instant. Good media will help us and others in their journey through life, just like good road signs point us in the right direction (Gan, pg. 86).

This is especially true when using social media. Now, not everything people post has to be a picture of a famous painting, or a YouTube link to "Fur Elise." In general, the things we post should reflect kindness, an authentic desire to share thoughtful words, and engage in civil discussion. It can be easy to forget that some of the things we post online can bring others (or ourselves) down instead of building them up.

A good way to practice this key, in my opinion, is to share a favorite quote on your Facebook or Instagram page every day/week. It could be a favorite Bible verse, movie quote, book quote, or the like. Also, a good way to practice self-love when posting online is to avoid using filters (and other unnecessary backgrounds). Not that there's anything inherently wrong with them, but they can prevent people - especially young adults - from being their true selves.

The Sixth Media Key: Skillfully Developed

The sixth media key, making media that is skillfully developed, is simple yet complex. At face value, it is simple because, objectively, movie-makers and game designers structure their media to be skillfully developed. They try to hire the best actors, software engineers, and others to ensure that their content is user-friendly and enjoyable. However, the complexity lies in the delivery of the content we make. "The quality of our content can never be an excuse for a lack of quality in our delivery of that content (Gan, pg. 103)."

On a larger scale, from designing websites and blogs to writing original songs or poems, this key can be somewhat easier to apply. On a smaller scale, when posting pictures of ourselves, our friends, and family, it can be, or at least seem, more difficult. The goal is to ensure the media we present corresponds to the previous 5 media keys. "Communication in any form must always be inspired by the ethical criterion of respect for truth and for the dignity of the human person (Gan, pg. 90)."

Remember, "skillfully developed" does not mean our everyday posts have to be 'fancy' or 'trendy.' Rather, we should find little ways to "spice up" our communication online. For example, Facebook has a background feature for posts with few characters.

The Seventh Media Key: Motivated by and Relevant to Experience

"Media should be rooted in the realities of the world we live in. It should speak a language we know so we can [clearly] understand the message it presents to us (Gan, pg. 116)."

The seventh and final media key is important because the times are always changing. There are new discoveries, new successes, and new dangers that come every year (2020, anyone?). It's important to ensure the media we use and share is "accessible, understandable, and relatable (Gan, pg. 118)."

So when we share our thoughts and inspirations online, we should be able to relate to our target audience.

[ExoticCake]

Let me read your mind....













You are here for school! Im a right?

[bella-fdzs]

pov: your teacher brought you here and you are completely blowing off this stupid video