Interview

To be honest, I probably spend around two to three hours a day on social media, mostly on short-video platforms and messaging apps. I do think that is quite a lot, especially when I notice it cutting into time I could spend studying or being outdoors. I have recently started putting my phone away during meals and the first hour of the morning, which has already made a difference.

In my opinion, social media has both advantages and disadvantages for teenagers, but the negative effects are harder to ignore. On one hand, it helps young people stay connected, discover new interests, and even develop creative skills. On the other hand, constant comparison with others can seriously damage self-esteem, and the addictive design of these platforms often interferes with sleep and concentration.

Yes, actually, I come across misleading content quite often, especially on social media feeds where sensational headlines spread very quickly. What I usually do is check whether a reliable news outlet has reported the same story, and I try to look at the original source rather than a repost. I think media literacy should be taught at school, because many people, including adults, struggle to tell fact from fiction online.

From my perspective, some level of regulation is necessary, especially to protect children from harmful content and to limit the spread of dangerous misinformation. However, I also think it is important to preserve freedom of expression, so any rules should be carefully balanced and transparent. The key challenge is deciding who gets to define what is acceptable — that is where things get complicated.

Honestly, I doubt I could manage a full month without the internet, not because of social media, but because so much of my studying and communication depends on it. The biggest challenge would probably be staying informed and keeping in touch with classmates, since most of our school work is organised online. That said, I think a short digital detox could actually be refreshing — it would force me to read more, go outside, and focus on things I usually put off.