For our newest installment in our annual series, I’d like to introduce you to my sixteen year-old friend Elly as she sketches out the scene of modern digital life among adolescents these days. Consider this a boots-on-the-ground report covering some really relevant topics – how TikTok’s algorithm sometimes swings wildly, why Snapchat’s “private” stories require us all to slow down and consider what is being shared, and how Instagram is experiencing a rebirth as an activism hub. Elly tackles this and more with precision, vulnerability, and much you can connect with – regardless of your age. Her story ultimately serves as a manifesto for using social media platforms as tools for connection, creativity, and even hope. And now, I turn it over to Elly!
Hi! I’m Elly. I am an overscheduled, sleep-deprived junior at a high school in South Florida, writing this between study sessions, editorial meetings and presentations during the day, and late at night after softball practice and games and my new volunteer job as youth ambassador for the Miami Marlins Foundation girls softball league. Being a motivated, goal-oriented teenager in today’s fast paced competitive environment is high pressure by any measure. There is a constant tug of war between trying to explore every opportunity inside and outside of school and finding time to identify actual talents and passions. And while teens must contend with the all-consuming pressure to do everything in a finite amount of time, they also must battle the constant presence of social media, draining their time and stealing their attention.
There’s no simple way to break away from social media, as it pervades almost every aspect of our lives. In fact, social media is rapidly becoming a primary source of news consumption in the U.S., particularly for teens and younger adults. And for overwhelmed teenagers, social media offers an instantaneous, much-needed break from real-life stresses. Unfortunately, social media can also drag users down a rabbit hole of potential dangers from cyberbullying and exploitation to depression and self harm if they aren’t careful.
In an effort to weigh in on the evolving role of social media and its overpowering presence in teenage lives, I am sharing my views on a few of the most popular apps in 2025– how I’m using them, how they affect me and my peers, and any other observations I’ve made while on these platforms.
So here’s my view on the good, the bad… and the ugly.
TikTok
The Good: Pure entertainment. Whether bonding with friends over hilarious memes or oddly satisfying cake decorating tutorials, watching TikTok is a fun way to escape a tough day. Also, it has given me tons of songs to add to my playlist and some useful skills like changing a flat tire (thank you DIY!).
The Bad: The customized content algorithms can be not-so-funny. The amount of eating disorder content I’ve seen on TikTok in the past few months is alarming, especially since the only food related content in my search history involves clean eating and gut health.
The Ugly: Can’t forget about the cringe. Influencer families singing off-key songs always go viral on my For You Page. Maybe the short-lived nationwide TikTok ban has made users nostalgic, as everyone seems to be re-posting fun dances and drafts from 2020 to bring back old times.
The GoodInsta reels are my go-to for heartwarming content and good vibes. Where else will you end up crying over a kitten and puppy hugging?
The BadMisinformation goes viral through stories and posts. Instagram’s attention-grabbing headlines and captivating graphics make it harder and harder for users to discern fact from fiction – especially during an election year.
The UglyPosting notes in the message section has to be Insta’s weird way of ripping off Snapchat. It is basically leaving little Post-it notes in everyone’s DMs.
Snapchat
The GoodSnap keeps everyone laughing, and the door locked shut for privacy. The “Private Stories” feature is amazing because it lets you share funny moments with close friends, without having to worry about your whole family chiming in.
The BadThe new chat feature allows users to see who is half-swiping their messages, exposing sneaky recipients for trying to read their messages without opening it. Awkward! However, a clever way to get around this feature is to check the sender’s snap location to make sure he or she is not active on the app before half-swiping.
The UglyThe Discover section is a worse version of Instagram Reels. It feels like a trash can filled with clickbait headlines and really cringy reality tv show clips. My advice is to avoid it!
Now that I’ve given you the rundown on the various social media apps my friends and I use, let’s talk about my personal experiences with social media, starting with my number one favorite app: TikTok. If I am in the mood to laugh until tears stream down my face, or am so hungry that I must watch mukbangs to see mouth watering foods, I immediately turn to this app. Have you heard of the new TikTok Shop feature? I can buy clothes or accessories straight from my favorite app. TikTok combines entertainment, media and shopping into a seamless and convenient experience. However, with the good comes the bad. TikTok has a For You Page that is supposed to be designed to your liking, based on your initial preferences when logging into the app. But, TikTok’s algorithm alters the content you see based on your search history inside the app. In my experience, when I watch one specific video longer than another, my FYP switches over to the video I seemed to have watched for a longer time. I believe the app itself takes close note of everything you do inside the app, crafting an entertainment feed based on what it thinks you watch more or are more interested in based on your searches.
While this can mean it is filled with funny videos that you love, it can also inundate you with triggering, negative content that can alter your mood within seconds. TikTok may feed you content filled with hate speech or harmful actions, depending on what TikTok believes you want to see.
On the bright side, TikTok has attempted to address this problem by adding features and updating community guidelines that prevent some harmful content. Specifically, if a user searches for “eating disorder” or “don’t eat,” TikTok loads the number to the National Alliance for Eating Disorders instead of any harmful videos.
Even with these new guidelines, fake news and misinformation still manage to seep into my feeds. My friends and I constantly keep our eyes glued to our phones and computers watching TikTok, Instagram and other social media platforms for news and information, but I recognize that many users share any type of information–accurate or not–just for likes and attention. I am careful to read through entire content, and verify with credible news sources before I decide whether or not to share. However, many of my friends have gotten so used to reading a headline and quickly sharing an attention-grabbing post without even reading the content or even fully understanding it. Their reflexes have now picked up a routine of carelessly spreading information without any facts backing up the social media post.
My friends and I keep our eyes glued to our phones and computers watching TikTok, Instagram and other social media platforms for news and information, but I recognize that many users share any type of information–accurate or not–just for likes and attention. I am careful to read through entire content, and verify with credible news sources before I decide whether or not to share.
Nonetheless, I see TikTok as a primarily healthy platform, filled with good content depending on a user’s personal preference, and safe for teenagers using it appropriately. It has become a source of comfort and connection for me and my peers, knowing that friends are there for us by simply “hearting” our stories or swiping up on our pictures to compliment a new outfit.
While TikTok is my favorite app to watch content, Snapchat is my go-to communication tool. It’s the easiest way for me to stay connected with my long-distance friends, and get the inside scoop on their lives through their private stories. In my opinion, Snapchat is one of the most positive apps in the social media world. While other apps might lead teens into a downward spiral of negative content, Snapchat promotes human interaction and communication.
Snapchat is also an undoubtedly creative place where you can find new interests and discover things about yourself that you didn’t know before. For example, I learned that I am fascinated by true crime. Whether you learn DIY tricks for making jewelry or watch tutorials on how to build an app, Snapchat is full of resources that can empower teens to be creative and self-reliant. New features such as the old-age enhancement option are just plain fun. However, the OG feature remains my favorite: private stories. My private story is my safe place. I post my moods and experiences that I only want my closest friends to see. While this is a wonderful way to express yourself to a small group of people, it can also be a way to get yourself into some trouble.
Many teens believe that because it’s called a “private” story, they can post anything they want and only that small group of friends will see it. Please be careful! It is so important to remember that social media doesn’t go away, even if it “disappears” in 24 hours. As teens, we all have our own hacks and devices that can screenshot or capture someone’s post without them knowing. One screenshot is enough to circulate throughout an entire school. Trust me, I’ve seen many teenagers post private stories that got them into trouble, even though they believed only a select few would see it.
As teens, we all have our own hacks and devices that can screenshot or capture someone’s post without them knowing. One screenshot is enough to circulate throughout an entire school. Trust me, I’ve seen many teenagers post private stories that got them into trouble, even though they believed only a select few would see it.
I just have to expand on one of the most influential OGs: Instagram. We all know it as the “bikini model” or “puppy reels” platform. However, it has changed. I used to turn to Instagram when I was bored and wanted to see what my friends were up to. Recently, TikTok has consumed my attention, and I left my dear old friend Instagram behind. But, don’t worry, I’m once again turning to Insta to stay up to date on current events (and celebrity gossip). While it’s easy to get caught up in the infamous Blake Lively/Justin Baldoni drama that some of my peers have been posting, I tend to use the platform to spread awareness for environmental causes and natural disasters like the recent California fires. Currently, I find myself sharing stories from my friends in Los Angeles who lost their homes and neighborhoods as a way to show sympathy and solidarity. I now see Insta as the main way to post stories about events that I believe deserve attention, and as a platform to show my concern for those who are suffering. That’s why my OG Instagram will always be the app that’s there for me – it’s never leaving my side. I feel as though the platform has actually increased in positive content, as more and more of my peers have been so focused on promoting posts that really matter, such as important current events, instead of pics lounging in a beach chair. In a way, as Insta grew up, so did we.
I feel as though Instagram has actually increased in positive content, as more and more of my peers have been so focused on promoting posts that really matter, such as important current events, instead of pics lounging in a beach chair. In a way, as Insta grew up, so did we.
Despite every up and down that comes with it, social media is how my friends and I communicate. For fast quick conversations and daily updates Snapchat is my go-to. For DMCs (deep meaningful conversations) we use Instagram DMs and group chats to stay in the loop. TikTok remains my number one source for entertainment, but it also is my way of communicating deep feelings through sending videos that I or my friends can relate to. Our favorite new update is making group chats on TikTok, where we can spark conversations- whether it’s discussing a new viral trend or even debating a news story that popped up on our FYP. I love sending my friends new restaurants to try or cool places to check out in South Florida.
As social media continues to evolve, so does its room for improvement. The constant stream of eating disorder content and depression videos filled with family fights that pop up on my FYP instantly ruin my mood. Platforms should prioritize mental health by refining their algorithms. I believe that a program along the lines of an integrated “Mindful Mode” could be very useful to implement into social media, driven by AI. This feature may allow users to set their own personalized content limits based on their emotional, psychological well-being. For instance, if I was clearly overwhelmed and specifically wanted to use TikTok as a breather and a space to relax from a stressful day, I could turn on the Mindful Mode in the settings. This way, the content filled with negative self-comparisons and stressful college application information that would be too much for me to handle at the moment, the app could gently suggest taking a break or automatically shift the algorithm to prioritize uplifting or even positive mental education content. In my viewpoint, social media platforms should take advantage of the benefits of AI to drive healthier, more intentional content that makes me feel like I can take a break by swiping through TikTok, not add to my stress. Social media should be a space for connection and entertainment, not another source of pressure. By implementing AI to foster a healthier digital community, platforms have the power to shape mindless scrolling into a more mindful experience.
Even though social media has many downsides, I do strongly believe that adults don’t always give teens enough credit when it comes to understanding how to safely navigate these social media platforms. Many assume we are clueless about the dangers of social media, but my friends and I are actually incredibly aware of the risks and constantly take steps to protect ourselves.
Even though social media has many downsides, I do strongly believe that adults don’t always give teens enough credit when it comes to understanding how to safely navigate these social media platforms. Many assume we are clueless about the dangers of social media, but my friends and I are actually incredibly aware of the risks and constantly take steps to protect ourselves. We have learned how to filter content, block, report and we are always sharing tips with each other on how to avoid creepy interactions, misinformation, and scams. Yes, social media is undoubtedly overwhelming, but as consumers, we are not passive – we are conscious users who know how to manage and navigate our online experiences.
That being said, it’s impossible to ignore the fact that social media was designed to be addictive and sometimes even the most mindful, conscious users find it hard to break away from the screen. The endless scrolling, constant notifications, and tailored content make it tough to log off. I can willingly admit that I’ve found myself stuck in a loop of checking one app after another just to look at the time and realize a couple hours have flown by. Some of my friends have incredible self control and are able to take some social media breaks, but for many of us – including adults – it’s a constant struggle to disconnect. Social media companies know exactly how to keep us engaged and even though we love to think we have self control, the truth is that most of us are caught in the cycle of overuse. The challenge is figuring out how to break free or find a balance.
Social media isn’t going anywhere and neither is its influence on our lives. While it is filled with flaws, it offers connection, creativity, and information at our fingertips. The key is finding balance – using it intentionally rather than allowing it to consume us. At the end of the day, it’s up to us to take control of our digital experiences and not let social media take control of us.
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