“Through social media, I can do so many things. From scrolling through my friends’ posts to exploring different opinions on all different topics, I think social media is overall net positive,” Olivia Pamplona ‘28 said.
Throughout the past decade, social media has gained significant traction and views exponentially. From news and personal updates to comedic relief, social media provides a wide range of content that caters to everyone, making media more entertaining and comprehensible. While the consumption of content is normalized, real-life commentary on it is less common. TikTok videos to Instagram Reels — is there really a difference? At Foothill Technology High School (Foothill Tech), the Dragons expressed a range of perspectives with no clear consensus on the “best” way to consume content.
Social media’s vast array of content, from breaking news to memes, often blurs the line between serious information and lighthearted entertainment. Many expressed how it’s easy to get swept up in large headlines or flashy hooks, especially on platforms where a vast amount of news is being spread each day.
“I take just about everything I see with a healthy grain of salt. I form my own thoughts and beliefs based on a mixture of everything I see,” Asher Handler ‘27 commented.
While social media can turn a serious news story into a meme, it also lets people laugh their way through the chaos, proving that sometimes a little humor is the best way to process the headlines.
Beyond news, social media can also serve as a communication tool for more personal matters. Transitioning from news to personal interactions, online communities can thrive through limitless connection, whether it’s seeing an Instagram Story from a friend or asking a cooking influencer for a recipe.
“It’s a good way to keep in touch with people whom I don’t normally get to talk to,” Kevin Becker, a teacher at Foothill Tech, said.
Because of the infinite amount of content, it’s hard to decipher what a “normal” amount of screen time is. When spiraling down a “blue search,” the short seconds on each video can transform into minutes of misconstrued entertainment, completely unrelated to the first inquiry.
“It can be positive if you use it correctly, but if people get addicted, it can be really bad,” Grayson Field ‘29 said.
YouTube, TikTok and Instagram are by far the most used platforms, according to Pew Research. Out of those three platforms, roughly one out of five videos on the listed platforms are comedic or have comedic connotation, and the Dragons are no strangers when it comes to consuming funny videos.
When asked about her favorite platform, Janelle Nelsen ‘28 said, “Instagram because I like watching reels and they make me giggle quite a lot.”
“I use Instagram the most because it’s the funniest … I like the reels and the comments,” Mary Hathaway ‘28 agreed.
Social media has become a thriving and entertaining aspect of the youths’ daily experiences, providing something for everyone, whether it be keeping up with the news, catching up with friends or simply chuckling at comedic videos. Foothill Tech’s Dragons have demonstrated that while it’s easy to catch yourself scrolling indefinitely, achieving a balance between entertainment and connectivity should be prioritized most.
