So…I was connected to an online programming website for kids that you could share your programs with and talk to the other kids. My parents told me that they didn’t want me to talk to the kids on the website. I didn’t think of the danger until I watched “The Social Dilemma”. It was a serious movie. It is like a documentary that is about addiction to social media. It helps tell you of how people get sucked in and the reasons why these big tech companies want you to stay sucked in.

One of things that bothered me was to see how so many people want to look like the filters on their phone and that even teens want cosmetic procedures. There is even a name that doctors came up for this new syndrome called “Snapchat dysmorphia.” The big thing I really got out of this was how many kids are affected. It seems that while the adults seem to have problems too, people my age are targeted and that they do not have any idea about it. It was a good movie and it contains a lot of facts to help you understand the dangers and the way social media works.

The movie was made recently, and it talked about how news can spread fast but that it may not be true. For example, I was shaken because based off of YouTube videos, people have been convinced that the Earth is flat! 😦 Wow I’m so proud of this century (I say this with all the sarcasm in the world). The algorithm shows you different results based on where you live or what you search 🔍. AND, you can get different results than another person who lives in your same area!

I miss the social interaction though it might be better not to go back to the online stuff because it can be used to make you become a rude😤, snobby🤮, or unhappy person 😥 if people tell you some lies, or troll you. My parents deleted my account and made me watch “The social dilemma” to show me some of the problems with social media. After watching The Social Dilemma, even though I FEEL like I had real connections, I KNOW they may not have been authentic—or that the other kids might not have even thought they were connections at all. However, now more than ever, it feels like we all are disconnected from each other, our friends, our family, and ourselves even. It’s affecting not only children, but…well, everyone. We all have to limit the staring at the screens and help make sure people are safe on social media, and we have to stop not paying attention to what’s going on, and not paying attention to the family. How will you spend time with your family today? Will you watch The Social Dilemma too?🤔.

-Ilana 💋

P.S. I wasted my time on social media and I want to tell you don’t waste your time on social media when you have time to make real connections with your family and friends. 😏😀😉😎🤙🥳🥳🥳