100-word rant: Social media makes young people crave approval of others

“Follow request from @xoxosparklyunicornbae,” my Instagram notification flashes. I open the app and stare in awe at the person’s bio, which reads “RMS Class of 2020.” If they’re RMS class of 2020, and the year is 2017, that means they’re graduating from high school in 2024, which means that they’re in fifth grade? Fifth graders can have Instagrams?

Today, young students are “growing up” at an extremely fast pace. Some are already posting bikini clad photos on Instagram in hopes of getting 20 comments of fire or heart eye emojis. Many look up to supermodels or “Instagram babes,” who make a living by posting pictures of their lavish lifestyle.

These children have to learn that they don’t need the approval of others to be happy and confident. But that can be difficult if they’re exposed to online media at such a young age. These students need time to be young and reckless, and should not be on social media yet. Remember when your parents constantly warned you about internet safety? Looking back, I think we can all see why.