Meta, the parent company of platforms such as Facebook and Instagram, is being sued by around 35 states. 

   Meta has been framed for using filters and other features to lure children into using their apps, and also children making accounts regardless of age limits, which is supposed to be monitored. But regarding the allegations, they said their apps were child appropriate. However, some disagree and have begun to wonder about the effects of social media on children. 

   Students have many different opinions regarding the effects of social media, such as Freshmen Janie Dixon and Madison Havens. Dixon was raised by social media; however, Havens was raised to stay away from it. Dixon phrases that growing up without social media would have made her life better, seeing as she’s used apps like Youtube since she was very young, and gained TikTok at the age of ten,

   “I think I’d be less weird if I didn’t have social media from such a young age,” Dixon said.

   Havens, however, is on the opposing side, feeling disconnected from her community with her lack of social media.

   “Not having social media, I feel like it affected my freshman year. It’s the reason why I have such a hard time talking to people, so, yeah, anxiety sucks. I don’t know what’s going on around me because everything is on social media and it’s like, I don’t know anymore.” Havens said.

   School counselor Tracy Churchwell views both sides of the story and understands the relevancy of having social media in a high school setting. But, she still sees the negatives of it as well. 

   “It can be positive, it just depends how it is used. And in the school system, I’ve seen accounts where many fights, arguments derive from the use of social media.” Churchwell said.    

   So as both sides are content, social media’s effects is a conflict not soon settled.