Teens on Social Media

Jannah Oseguera-Arasmou, Staff Writer

February 23, 2026

In this episode, I take an honest and relatable look at how social media affects teens today. From constant exposure to negativity and unrealistic standards to misinformation, cyberbullying, addiction, and digital footprints, this conversation explores the ways social media can impact mental health, confidence, and the way we see ourselves.

About the Contributor

Jannah Oseguera-Arasmou, Staff Writer

If you asked a teenager whether they considered themselves night owls or early birds, it seems that the vast majority would choose the former. However, this isn’t the case for Paint Branch ninth grader Jannah Oseguera-Arasmou who prefers waking up early and having extra time for herself. Jannah prefers headphones to earbuds, having the ability to tune out the world around her. In addition, her dream wardrobe consists of simple dresses, and you might find her rocking the headphone and dress combination. When asked to name her favorite shape, Jannah replies “a heart, I feel like it just has so much meaning to it.” This is no surprise when you consider her love and passion for law, which is a vital part of her identity. She labels the ‘legal drama series’ “Suits” as a favorite because it “keeps you on your toes” and follows a cast of lawyers, which she sees as a great reference for the future. While being a lawyer is often associated with money, influence, or status as this is generally how they are portrayed on TV and in movies, for Jannah these are not the most important factors. For her, the lawyer title isn’t just to show, it’s a passion that outranks the desire for anything else. No matter how much money she would make, she says “I’d still choose being a lawyer.” It just so happens that she can “do what I like and still get paid a lot.” This admirable mindset extends to her other beliefs as well. She comments that, “Everyone is unique in their own way, no matter what you say to someone, you shouldn’t change their beliefs on what they feel.” She showcases how she stands firm in who she is, what she wants to be, and what she stands for. As Jannah’s love of law influences her choices and decisions, so does the love for her mother. Jannah hopes to learn Arabic as a second language in accordance with her mother who speaks around five other languages. She notes how she’d like to follow her mother and learn other skills as well. Jannah is an ambitious student with a clear vision for the future. In a year’s time, she imagines a productive version of herself, which she sees as happening through doing internships over the summer, possibly making money, and maintaining good grades. By: Joelle Hlover

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Teens on Social Media

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