SOCIAL MEDIA — BOON OR BANE?

Dev had always been an excellent student. He had a sharp mind and a strong work ethic, which helped him excel in academics. He grasped new concepts quickly and had always been in teachers’ good books. Had he ever taken part in an academics competition involving a hundred exceptional students of his age, he could still assure a Top 5 rank.

But there was one thing that had always bothered him — his appearance. Dev was lanky and didn’t consider himself to be physically attractive. He was aware that looks mattered in the world, and he felt like he wasn’t measuring up.

As Dev became a teenager, he started to get more active on social media like his friends. He noticed that many of his peers were posting pictures of themselves looking ‘koooll’ and having fun. Dev began to feel left out and decided that he needed to change if he wanted to fit in.

So he started to act less like himself and lied about small things to show his self-worth. He would edit all his photos or post old pictures of himself, making it seem like he was living a glamorous life. Dev thought that everyone had perfect lives, and he needed to live up to that standard too.

As a result, Dev’s grades and mental health began to suffer. His anxiety levels increased, and he became less productive. His sleep pattern was adversely affected. He was spending more time worrying about how he looked and how he was coming across on social media than focusing on his studies.

One day, Dev realized that he wasn’t happy with the person he had become. He realized that he had been living a lie and that he had been sacrificing his true self to fit in with others. He decided that it was time to make a change and started to focus on being authentic.

Instead of trying to portray a perfect life, Dev started to share his true interests, hobbies, and talents with others. He found that by being himself, he attracted people who shared similar interests. Dev also started following social media accounts that inspired him and made him feel good about himself.

Dev learned that social media is not inherently bad, but how we use it can have a significant impact on our lives. Social media can be a great tool for staying connected with friends and family, sharing our passions and ideas, and finding inspiration. However, it’s important to use social media responsibly and not let it consume us.

As a result, Dev’s grades improved, and his mental health improved too. He felt happier and more content with himself. Dev realized that he didn’t need to pretend to be someone else to be accepted by others. He learned that true happiness comes from accepting oneself and being authentic.

Social media can be both a boon and a bane for teenagers. It can provide a platform for communication, self-expression, and creativity, and can be a great pastime, but it can also lead to addiction, cyberbullying, and a negative impact on mental health.

Indeed, social media should be used in such a way that it reflects your true self. Do not feel pressured to conform to a certain standard or portray a perfect life, and instead embrace your unique qualities and interests and share them with others without the fear of judgement. Social media can be a great tool for self-expression and connection if used responsibly and mindfully.

“Social media is more about sociology and psychology than technology.”
– Brian Solis.

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Names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of my imagination, and any resemblance to actual events or persons is entirely coincidental. || Contents of this story should not be reproduced in any manner without permission.