A Letter from the Editor
Hello iDrive Agent!
I confess. I’m a social media enthusiast. I’ve spent hours planning out Instagram posts, interacting with mutuals on Twitter, and keeping streaks on Snapchat. After conducting some research on teens and social media for this iDrive Edition, I’ve discovered that many teens share my enthusiasm, and perhaps you do, too. Social media is a great platform to strengthen relationships, create a self-identity, and keep in touch with friends, family, and acquaintances. However, we also must take into account that overuse of our smartphones and social media can have detrimental effects on our health and well-being. I’ll admit that I’ve sat in first period half asleep, regretting my decision to stay up late the night before to scroll through Twitter or watch videos on Instagram. Social media can be habit-forming, but the need to be constantly validated by others on social media can indicate that habits are crossing the line into an unhealthy reliance on social media for self-worth which can have a detrimental affect on one’s mental state.
In this edition of the iDrive Newsletter, we feature an article detailing the effects of social media on teens in relation to mental health. Unfortunately, cyberbullying is also a serious issue that has been present ever since the “old days” of Myspace and the early roots of Facebook. We’ll give you some ideas on how to make sure you are using social media in a way that is beneficial to yourself and others, and what you can do about this issue.
Our vision is that you will be inspired to share with us your stories of struggle and triumph regarding social media and mental health by writing to the online community of iDrive. That’s why we’ve included 7 Tips to Write for the Web for iDrive Agents like you! In this article, you’ll get some expert advice on how to transform your written ideas with eye-catching design and interactive elements that will engage readers to dive in to your digital publications and share your written work online.
Don’t miss out on what’s happening in October! Our iDrive Student Advisory Board has an important message regarding awareness months that focus on Cyber Security and Cyber Bullying Awareness and Prevention. |