Reflection On Social Media

When I was in middle school, Facebook and Instagram began to surface, along with iPhones. Left and right, my peers began to pull up Facebook on their laptops and download Instagram on their smartphones. It felt as though everyone in my grade was downloading the new social media apps, while I was not.

In sixth and seventh grade, I of course had a super cool phone that slid up to reveal a full keyboard. Did I mention I had a red phone case? The coolest thing I could do with my phone besides texting was playing Tetris. That was actually the only game on my phone. I didn't really think about social media until my friends started to get their own accounts. I can remember going to one of my best friend's house and pulling up Facebook on their home computer. I wasn't too enthralled with Facebook, but when Instagram became more known, that's when I wanted my own account. 

Near the end of middle school, I had an iPhone. I was so excited to have a touchscreen and play Doodle Jump. While everyone was also playing Doodle Jump and various other popular games during that time, people were uploading grainy, weirdly filtered Instagram photos. I remember asking my parents if I could have the social media app. The answer was no. 

I left the idea of social media behind and entered high school. I was too busy with my dance classes and studying for exams that I kind of forgot about the app. Near the end of freshman year, I grew a love for watching fashion and beauty YouTube videos. The more I became interested in fashion, my career dreams started to shift from being a roller coaster designer to a creative director for a magazine. Junior year of high school, I became a part of my high school's yearbook team. This led me to like fashion and writing even more. Being a part of yearbook led me to wanting to be a part of a magazine. 

Instagram finally was allowed to be downloaded to my phone after I participated in a program with Seventeen Magazine the summer before my senior year of high school. There, I learned for my career path that it is important to stay on top of social media platforms. While I have enjoyed using social media apps, I have found that it can have positive and negative impacts.

Through social media accounts, users are able to post photos, videos, and comments. People are able to have positive discussions about various topics. While these posts can be positive, people can create negative discussions quickly and reach a wide audience while doing so. Users can also easily repost false or misleading information. The creation of social media apps has led people to connect with each other from around the world in a short amount of time. Being a part of the fashion program,  I have used social media platforms to promote class projects, as well as use accounts to inform others about club meeting times. I find social media helpful in this aspect. 

When, if at all, did you start to use social media accounts? In what ways has social media changed communication skills? Do you think social media will be used more, less, or the same in the future?