To the Editor:

There are many issues impacting teenage lives today. One issue that I have experience with and is shown every day is social media standards. Social media is the part of people’s lives that is “perfect.”

You never really see the realistic part of a person through a screen. Teenagers will then hold themselves to these unrealistic standards. Both girls and boys see pictures of people who are portrayed as the “ideal image.” It makes it easy to think if you do not look like that person then you are not society’s ideal image.

All these people say their preferences. Guys have to be at least six feet tall and they have to have abs. Girls have to have a small waist and be under 5 feet, 5 inches. No acne, no stretch marks, no rolls. It is impossible to keep up with the ideal body and the trends.

I think it’s important to stay true to yourself and express who you are. It needs to be acknowledged how the standards presented on social media can make people feel. I think everyone is beautiful and unique. People should feel comfortable in their own bodies but sometimes changes do have to be made so people can feel comfortable with themselves.

There are plenty of influencers on Instagram and they preach body positivity, but all you ever see is them looking flawless. People look up to these influencers and I think it is important to show people that they are not perfect either. No one is and there is no shame in that.

People should love themselves not despite their imperfections but because of their imperfections. Perfect is boring.

It always helps me to think about it in terms of sports. In soccer, if every single player on the field is perfect then a forward would never miss, and a goalie would never let a shot in. It wouldn’t work.

If everyone were perfect, everyone would be the same and the world would be such a different place. There is beauty in everything and it is so important to recognize that.

Social media sets standards that people think they have to reach to be seen as beautiful. Real beauty is on the inside; it is your personality. No one should judge others based on their appearance.

Treating others how you want to be treated should always be something that points out how you are acting. Sometimes you have to stop and think about how you would feel if someone were doing it to you.

It is important to remember that you are beautiful but just because someone tells you that you are beautiful does not mean you instantly believe it. You should feel comfortable in your own skin and be confident.

Social media standards are one problem that has a huge impact on teenagers today. It is important for people to put their phones down and go outside and just have fun. Teenagers have to remember that they are still growing up and they need time to themselves and time to be kids.

Allison Rice

Guilderland

Editor’s note: Allison Rice, a sophomore at Guilderland High School, wrote this as part of a “real news” unit in Brenna Autrey’s English Class.