Berlin students believe social media is harmful both physically and mentally but still continue to use it on a daily basis.  

   Multiple different Bears were asked about their social media habits and if they believe that social media causes harm. All students involved use social media daily and all believe that it is harmful. Many of these bears listed that social media causes body image insecurities, bullying, distractions, comparisons, and more.

   “Getting bullied online and also the way they view their bodies and lives, and feeling depressed because they don’t fit into a certain category,” an anonymous survey taker said. 

   Multiple students also believe that social media limits productivity. These Bears claimed that they often neglect basic needs such as exercise and struggle to accomplish their daily goals. Many said that this was because they are too invested in their social media. These students provided their own solutions to the issues. The answers varied and there was no clear answer but many agreed that screen time limits are the best way to solve the issue. There were also several students who had no solution and did not know how to answer the question. 

   “I’m not sure but I think that the world is getting a lot better about fixing beauty standards,” an anonymous survey taker said. 

   Many students also seek out more school involvement for the issue. Just under half of the students involved in a survey about social media use said that Berlin currently does not help with the issue at all and a few students said if the school did have any involvement in the issue that they were unaware. Those that were aware of the school’s efforts against the issue hoped for more involvement in the future. 

   “Our school has a helpline if they are bullied or harmed but I don’t think enough people know about it and it’s not very enforced,” an anonymous survey taker said.