On Wednesday, Eagle staff reported on the Seneca Valley School Board looking to local legislators for help with what they see as harmful effects of social media on students.

The board unanimously approved a resolution “supporting additional safeguards for internet and technology applications to protect our children.”

The resolution highlights several statistics on the use of electronics from various studies, all of which many of us have heard before. Social media is a relatively uncharted territory in regards to long-lasting psychological effects, as it seems to have gained true dominion over modern society only around twelve or so years ago.

The effort is a noble one, as we’ve often advocated for the mental health of students in the past.

The question that remains, however, is how to get a handle on social media for the betterment of our students.

The essence of the issues that surround social media is the labyrinthine nature of the culture it has fostered. For instance, a member of Generation Z can look at a thumbs-up emoji and know it actually signals irritation, where their parents (mostly) see the same gesture as one indicating approval, because what else could it mean?

Both viewpoints are valid, and yet one cannot begin to explain why. It simply is how the emoji is interpreted by each party. As legislation is addressed, this is worth noting, because we wouldn’t want to see legislation created blindly; an understanding of the audience is key.

The resolution in question supports expanding legislation, regulation or other local measures on marketing dangerous apps and cooperation of social media platforms. While this is an effective move, sometimes it can seem like one brick in a very long wall.

Closer to home, it’s important for parents to be mindful of their childrens’ screen time. They have their own communities that can either be very positive or very negative.

We commend the Seneca Valley school board on their endeavor and hope it leads to a more positive mindset for students without making them feel as if their freedoms are constrained.

—CM