In Vesna Rothschild’s sixth-grade plant class at Pierson Middle School, students conducted research on the mental and emotional effects of social media. In each sixth-grade section, the students created a Google Slide presentation with solutions to the addictive and harmful elements of social media apps.
Starting with the documentary, “A Social Dilemma,” which highlights the dangers of social media on teenage mental and emotional development, the sixth graders opened the floor to an in-depth discussion. To reinforce their points, they engaged in research on how social media apps are causing anxiety, depression, and screen addiction among teens.
“They identified issues such as incessant scrolling, screen time controls, and mean posts. The students were very creative and thoughtful, and had some elaborate solutions,” said Rothschild.
During their presentations, which were open to fellow students and teachers in the library, students presented solutions such as removing the like buttons so people do not become obsessed with how many likes they get and creating a video with all the hazards of social media which would be played every time you log-on and before you can access your social media account.
“Almost everyone suggested banning TikTok,” said Rothschild.
With one study reporting that teenagers spend an average of eight hours and 39 minutes a day on screens, the Pierson sixth grade class is taking strides to gain control and understanding of the social media apps used daily.
Photo caption: Pierson sixth-grade students researched and presented on the mental and emotional effects of social media on the developing teenage brain.