THE CHANGE OF A GENERATION by Jaaziah Tompson,14

Social media is like a drug to teenagers in this generation. It controls kids and by that, teenagers put social media before their priorities. It is important for teens to learn how to find more productive things to do rather than being on Facebook, Instagram, Snap Chat, etc. In our generation everyone including adults are addicted to social media. I see teens and adults on their phone almost every time I’m in public. Also, kids are committing suicide because they feel like they don’t matter to the people who care about them. It makes us feel bad and can be hurtful. It makes us angry and we need an outlet to let our feelings out.

Some parents today are not as responsible with their kids. Teens feel like their parents let them do whatever they want, which shows lack of responsibility. Teens go out because their parents work a lot. For some teens when they are out, they will do things they’re not supposed to be doing especially fighting. The effects of parents not paying attention can result in teenagers going out on the streets and getting into serious trouble. When unsupervised teens go out into the streets they sometimes rob, steal, kill, or fight for attention especially when they are left alone with unresolved feelings. Even I have got in trouble for fighting one time, but I also learned from my mistake.

To prevent this, parents should be a lot more responsible with their children. Be more involved. The main thing that affects kids is social media, and that is something parents should try to get under control. Parents can help this generation by spending more time with their kids. They can start by staying off their phones and stop putting work before family. Hopefully, this generation and the next will make strong improvements. We all need to come together to build a bond and maybe we can improve as a generation. It would also be helpful to find out our interest are and things we like to do. Less criticism. More community activities such as neighborhood basketball, football, and kickball tournaments would get parents and teens bonding with each other.

Another suggestion would be for parents to play video games with their teens, board games, or exercise together. In summary, we can help each other if the new generation can be more honest about their feelings and the older generation can learn more about us, the new generation by spending more time with us and getting to know us better.