On January 31, 2024, the CEOs of Discord, Meta, Snap, TikTok, and X testified during the United States Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on Big Tech and the Online Child Sexual Exploitation Crisis.Families of children exploited by social media were present while the CEOs of these social media platforms were grilled regarding their responses to the violence children experienced while using their products.
Social media use is prominent at Westtown, so understanding its effects on students is crucial to maintaining a healthy community.
“It can help me stay updated on current events and updated with my friends and knowing how their life’s going even when I don’t talk with them as much,” said Melissa Freeman ’26 when asked how social media has benefited her.
“Being able to find old friends, especially from elementary school, I’ve been able to talk, and also my family, as well, because I have family in Korea and I’d talk to them on Instagram,” said Ken Waltman ’26.
Social media platforms, such as Instagram, promote connections between people. Unfortunately, these networks can be addicting and can expose students to all kinds of material, some potentially harmful.
“You know, sometimes you kinda get sucked in and just can’t stop scrolling,” said Freeman when asked how social media has negatively impacted her.
“You’re probably expecting this, but it has lowered my attention span. I’m always used to having entertainment and dopamine around me … It has taken away from the real world and caused me to focus on virtual stuff,” said Wamdzu Ovwori ’25.
The effects of social media on cognition are important for schools to note when creating effective learning environments. Paying attention to what is spread over the internet is also crucial. “I think that, a lot of times, social media promotes unrealistic standards and stereotypes,” said alum Carrington Allen ’25.
Monitoring content online is difficult. The senate hearing was an important method of keeping tech companies in check and making them address the harm their products may cause to children. It also brought awareness to the dangers of social media. Guaranteeing that students are digitally literate and safe online is a goal not just for Westtown, but for schools across the globe.
