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The Social Media Algorithm…

has become a hotly debated topic and as teachers and youth coaches, it‘s important to discuss the pros and cons it provides. On the one hand, social media gives teens instant and broad access to their peers and interests, plus the opportunity to make real money. It also offers access to amazing education resources. On the other hand, social media can be a highlight reel, leading to feelings of inadequacy, and it has made cyberbullying more pervasive. Additionally, the social media algorithm can manipulate how our brains process what were seeing, creating a type of addiction.

Its understandable why teens can feel overwhelmed and stressed by social media. Its natural to compare yourself to the highlight reel of perfect photos, but its important to remember that these are not real life. It can be hard for teens to realize that they are in control of what they see and how much time they spend on the platforms. They have the power to manipulate the algorithm to their advantage, by spending more time on topics theyre interested in.

Its also important to remember that cyberbullying is still a very real issue. It can be a lot harder for teens to ignore it when the bully is constantly in their pocket. We need to ensure that our teens know that they have a support network and that they dont have to face bullying alone. We can do this by promoting open and honest conversations about the impact of cyberbullying and how to deal with it.

Social media isn’t going anywhere. We need to teach teens how to take control. We need to make them aware of the physiological effects it has on them and encourage them to step back and assess if theyre actually enjoying the content. We should also explain how they can manipulate the social media algorithm to their benefit. Finally, we should remind them that they have the power to take a break from social media if they need to.

Creating a plan of action can be a great way to help teens take control of their social media lives. Helping them to set time limits and setting off an alarm when this time is up can be a great way to break the cycle of mindless scrolling. Its also important to teach them to be aware of their emotional state when they are online. If they are feeling overwhelmed, it might be time to step away from the screen.

Its also important to ensure that teens are spending their time on social media wisely. Encouraging them to use their platforms to find mentors, learn new skills, and develop relationships with people who share their interests can be a great way to maximize the potential of social media. We can also encourage teens to use social media to promote positive messages and create change in their communities.

Social media can be a great tool for teens, but its important to help them to understand the power they have over it. With the right skills, they can use it to their advantage and promote positivity and growth. By teaching our teens to take control of their social media lives, we can help them to enjoy the positive aspects of the platform without feeling overwhelmed or stressed by it.

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Video Time Stamps:

00:00 Intro

00:35 Pros of social media

01:49 Cons of social media

02:53 The Algorithm explained

04:29 My feed

06:17 Traditional media difference

07:42 Practical advice for teens

The choices we have affects the decisions we make which builds the patterns of our lives.

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