Adolescents and the huge impact of social media on their lifestyle – a topic we can’t seem to avoid. But „who“ exactly is part of this generation and what do they deem necessary considering social networks?
A New Trend Called Reality
They are the young adults of today: The so-called Generation Y, aka the Millenials, who were born between the year 1980 and 2000, and Generation Z, born from 2000 to 2010 have grown up during the digitalization. However, with a lack of social media conscience, Instagram and Co. can have a negative impact on one’s development. It’s also fact, that many companies and bloggers portray a reality that is pretty much distorted.
Nevertheless, a countermotion has been going on for a while now. A lot of bloggers and influencers have changed their strategy into opting for more reality and pointing out social difficulties. A change, that wasn’t to be expected – for social media starting out as a place where people could portray a perfect life.
A Positive Forum For Problems
One of the most influential activists is the model Adwoa Aboah. Whilst strutting the catwalk for some of the biggest names in fashion, using her fame she is also standing up for women’s rights. “I’m ready to exhaust myself for my community. If they can’t speak out, I’ll make sure I give them a voice“, she told online magazine Business of Fashion. And that’s exactly what she’s doing with her own online platform in the called Gurls Talk. There, she is providing a forum for problems such as mental illnesses, the perception of one’s body and sexuality. She is showing young women how important – and how normal – it is to talk about everyday thoughts and bigger struggles.
The Key To The Right Social Media Way
Aboah shows, sensitisation is what you’re looking for in the whole topic of social media. Society has to show adolescents – Millenials, Generation X and the following generations – what is actually behind all the social platforms and prepare them for all of that. Apparently, Adowoa Aboah is only one of the positive examples of influencers, who set a good example. However, it still needs experts, to make these examples the norm and the main feature on Instagram and Co. It should be our goal, to reduce fake perfectionism and focus on more realistic standards. We, as Gen X and Y have a pretty good chance at doing so.
Aboah shows, sensitisation is what you’re looking for in the whole topic of social media. Society has to show adolescents – Millenials, Generation X and the following generations – what is actually behind all the social platforms and prepare them for all of that. Apparently, Adowoa Aboah is only one of the positive examples of influencers, who set a good example. However, it still needs experts, to make these examples the norm and the main feature on Instagram and Co. It should be our goal, to reduce fake perfectionism and focus on more realistic standards. We, as Gen X and Y have a pretty good chance at doing so.
Text by Rossella
English Translation by Vivian
Layout by Angela
