The debate rages on: Is using social media good or bad for teens?
The U.S. Surgeon General, Vivek Murthy, recently released an advisory report which is calling attention to the fact that many believe that the use of social media is a contributing factor to feelings of depression and anxiety in our nation’s teenagers. His cautionary warnings also mentioned that there is not enough solid evidence regarding just how much social media use affects the mental health of children and adolescents as well.
According to an article written by David West Jr. on NPR.org, Murthy’s report says social media use “can perpetuate ‘body dissatisfaction, disordered eating behaviors, social comparison, and low self-esteem, especially among adolescent girls.'” The Surgeon General is calling on tech companies, social media platforms, and government officials to step in to provide safeguards to protect our country’s youth.
The debate stems from the fact that many people feel the government should not be getting involved in curtailing the use of social media by any U.S. citizens. An article written by Robby Soave on Reason.com lays out opposing arguments which state “that what occurs on social media is First Amendment-protected speech.” He argues that parents should be the ones who talk to their children, adolescents, and teenagers about how often and when they are allowed to use social media.
Soave cites research from Murthy’s report which shows that adolescents and teens are using social media to connect with friends, show their creativity, and help them get through tough times.
So, what are your opinions? Is using social media good or bad for teens? Should lawmakers get involved, or should they leave these decision to parents? The debate rages on…
Do You Know Your Social Media Abbreviations?
DM
Direct Message. As the kids say, “it goes down in the DM.” Sometimes, we share memes, recipes and pictures through direct messages.
4zevar via Getty Images
JK
Just Kidding. It’s a pretty common one that can totally change the tone of your text.
Robert Daly via Getty Images
BRB
Be Right Back. Sometimes, we just want to “brb” in real life.
Jack N. Mohr via Getty Images
TBH
To Be Honest. I don’t know when’s the last time I used this. But, I enjoy sprinkling this in my texting vocabulary every now and then.
AtnoYdur via Getty Images
IRL
In Real Life. This is when you need to give someone a dose of a reality check. You can use it in the context of “in real life, this wouldn’t be a big deal.”
Artur via Getty Images
NSFW
Not Safe for Work. This one seems to be used during the golden age of texting abbreviations, which can be said to be around 2007 – 2010. This is when we were truly communicating through shorthanded abbreviations and keyboard emojis.
damedeeso via Getty Images
TTYL
Talk To You Later. This is another great one that you can still use either in a sarcastic manner or a real-life meaning.
Bohdan Skrypnyk via Getty Images
NBD
No Big Deal. This can make a situation calmer and can change the tone of your text to convey different messages.
Jarmo Piironen via Getty Images
IMO and IMHO
In My Opinion and In My Humble Opinion. Another one that I use sparingly. “IMO, I think the Chipotle on Rainbow is better.”
isiddheshm via Getty Images
FTW
For The Win
Oscar Gutierrez Zozulia via Getty Images
SMH
Shaking My Head. You can say this one when disapproving of someone’s actions!
Siri Stafford via Getty Images
IDK
I Don’t Know. Sometimes, this is the perfect response.
Deagreez via Getty Images
IDC
I Don’t Care. Enough said.
zGel via Getty Images
MSG
Short for the word “Message.”
Dacian_G via Getty Images
OMW
On My Way
Nadzezhda Paliakovavia Getty Images
G2G
Got To Go. You can use this if someone makes a funny or crude joke. “GTG from this convo!”
Makidotvn via Getty Images
TFW
That Feeling When . . . you learn great texting lingo.
Robert Daly via Getty Images
MFW
“My Face When.”
max-kegfire via Getty Images
ILY
I Love You. A very common one that many of us know.
Sudowoodo via Getty Images
IMU
I Miss You (Yes, a ‘U’ even though the word “you” starts with a ‘Y’.)
worldofvector via Getty Images
ICYMI
In Case You Missed It!
ALLVISIONN via Getty Images
SRSLY
Short for the word “seriously”
Bastian via Getty Images
TLDR
Too Long Didn’t Read
RoMiEg via Getty Images
BAE
It actually stands for Before Anyone Else. (Bae is also just short for “baby” or “babe.”)
sidewaysdesign via Getty Images
SOML
Story Of My Life
Social Media Abbreviation Via Getty Images
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Larry Martino is the long-time Afternoon Drive personality on 96.3 KKLZ. The views and opinions expressed in this blog are those of Larry Martino and not necessarily those of Beasley Media Group, LLC.
