How Does Social Media Affect Students

Social media is an important tool in students’ communication. Although Social media can be fun, seeing recent gossip, funny videos, and photos of friends, it is vital to stay safe. Mr. Reed, a parent and computer teacher, teaches about that topic and how to be safe. This interview is something to learn before swiping phones.

Press: How do you think social media affects people in school today? Like, it can be positively or negatively. How do you think so? 

 

Mr. Reed: I mean, I definitely think there’s some positives where you guys get to interact with each other in a different way, keep up with friends and family that are in different places in here. But I think a lot of you don’t use the word addicted but are very, very much into it. And have a hard time stopping. And I don’t even mean you guys. I have kids that are in 6th grade and 9th grade, and they’re the same way.

 

Press: All right, how big of an effect do you think students have on social media? Like, do you think it’s really, really big that it affects our everyday life or not that big?

 

Mr.Reed: I think it’s pretty big.

 

Press: Do you think you’d go a day without it? 

 

Mr.Reed: Yeah, I guess. I mean, I think a lot of people have a hard time. I think a lot of people would have a hard time going a whole day without it. All right. So that could be an interesting thing if how many students think they could go a day without it.

 

Press: Do you think social media would have an impact on our education? 

 

Mr. Reed: I think it could if you let it. I think it’s a matter of us being smart enough to know when it’s time we can use it and when it’s time that we need to focus on our studies, whether it’s in school or at home.

 

Press: Do you think it could affect our behavior? And if so, how would it affect our behavior? 

 

Mr. Reed: Sure. It could affect your behavior because if one of you is on it, you’re not going to be completely listening and focused on whatever we’re doing. I think it’s a very good school rule that you’re not allowed to be on your phones. So that we don’t have that issue in school. Again, at home, it’s going to be a matter of whether you know how to turn it off and keep it off while you are working or doing whatever you need to do at home. 

 

Press: How long do you think kids should spend on social media and communicating with other people on social media? 

 

Mr. Reed: I think it depends on the day and what you have. And, you know, if it’s a rainy day in the summer, I’m sure it’s going to be longer. It could be longer than if it’s… a nice sunny day and your friends are over. I don’t think there should be time. As a parent, I try and put time limits on my kids. 

 

Press: About how much? 

 

Mr. Reed: I think an hour is plenty.

 

Press: Do you think social media is suitable for 12-year-olds? 

 

Mr. Reed: I mean, I think that’s up to the parents. So my son, actually, his birthday is today and he’s turning 12 today. Awesome. Happy birthday to him. And he only has Instagram. He wants Snapchat, but I won’t let him. But I know many other kids that do. So I think that’s more up to their parents on whether they allow it or not.  

 

Press: Do you think that, like you said, that you could use TikTok, Snapchat, and like other social media apps? Also, what age would you recommend? 

 

Mr. Reed: I think all kids are different with their responsibilities. And everything. Twelve, I think, is a little young for some of them. I know some of the stuff my 12-year-old listens to is not appropriate for him. And he knows when it comes on, at least if I’m in the room and I hear it, he knows to change it. So I think, I don’t know. I think it depends on the maturity of the kid on whether they can handle it or not.

 

Press: Oh, what do you think would be the average age though? 

 

Mr. Reed: To me, it would be 14. 

 

Press: Should they be constantly monitored on social media by their parents? Or do you think they should be able to like act freely? 

 

Mr. Reed: I think me as a parent, I check occasionally. I don’t monitor all of it. I do check it and keep up to, try to keep up with it and see kind of who they’re talking to. And if I don’t know the person, ask them who it is. There’s a lot of great people out there, and there’s a lot of people that are trying to take advantage of younger people. So I want to make sure that at least my kids are talking to people that they’re friends with. 

 

Press: Do you think sixth graders like us should be able to chat with people they don’t know on social media and games? 

 

Mr. Reed: Because there are a lot of other people you don’t know who you’re ideally chatting with. I don’t think so. I don’t want my son doing it. So, in my opinion, no. 

 

Press: What should kids think about while on social media? 

 

Mr. Reed: I think they just need to be smart. Talking to your friends and sending silly videos and just talking about whatever or sending whatever pictures to each other, I don’t think there’s a problem at all. I think it’s a matter that students can not feel safe when they’re talking about information to people they don’t know giving out information to people that they don’t know. 

 

Press: Is there anything else you want to add to this interview related on the topic of social media?

Mr. Reed: No, I think you guys asked very good questions.