Category: Elementary

Global warming: It’s gradually killing our planet, our natural resources, and our animals while most of us sit idly by pretending that nothing is happening. However, not all of us. Many youths have made exceptional progress raising awareness and standing up to climate change. As older generations continue to ignore the issues with our planet earth, youth are beginning to realize how severely our planet is at risk-of even extinction. We will not be able to sustain a quality life in a few years, and young leaders have risen to action on this desperate matter.

The U.S Youth Climate Strike was created by 4 young leaders: Haven Coleman (12), Isra Hirsi (16), Maddy Fernands (16) and Feliquan Charlemagne (17). These 4 leaders have made a small strike into a national event. They have a mission to stand up to climate change and to prevent further damage to our Earth. They have already made an enormous impact on their country and hope to spread their mission further.

Youth Climate Leaders is an organization for youth that want to make a serious impact on climate change. Many young children and teens have a passion to save the environment, and this organization allows them to do so. They assist youth starting their careers with the environment, and they provide opportunities for youth to travel the world to raise awareness and help prevent further harm to our planet.

Greta Thunberg is the youngest person to ever make such a drastic change in the world in regards to awareness about climate change. Ever since she started her school strike for climate in August 2018, she has made history. Greta has popular speeches that have been viewed billions of times. She was invited to make a speech at the UN Climate Change Conference in December 2018. Greta Thunberg is also the founder of a powerful, international movement called Friday’s for Future. Students all the way from the U.S. to Japan participate. Students have been raising awareness by striking, just how Greta currently is. Greta reiterates that we only have 12 years left to live on this planet before climate change becomes too severe for humans to handle. Despite popular belief that one person’s actions won’t make a difference, they do, and Greta Thunberg plans to prove that.

We can all have hope for the future because the next generation is already rising to the task of saving our planet. All of these young leaders started out as people just like you; they were living their lives as they usually do. The only difference is their mindset. These people became driven based on how much people have been suffering, and how our world has been impacted. They realized we need to make a change, fast. You have the ability to stand up to climate change just like them. Join a local organization, clean up your neighbourhood; do anything you can to help.

Sources:

https://www.youthclimatestrikeus.org/about

https://www.youthclimateleaders.org/journeys?lang=en

https://www.bbc.com/news/av/world-europe-47231271/greta-thunberg-the-swedish-teen-inspiring-climate-strik

Psychology is the scientific study of the human mind and its behaviours. It can explain your characteristics, attitudes and emotions. Every person thinks different; every person acts different; every person feels different; that’s because, every person is different! This is because we all have different psychology! During the day, we think about all sorts of things. Sometimes we even think about thinking! In short, this is called psychology.

Sometimes we experience things that cause us to have big feelings for example: bullying, when parents separate or divorce, death of a loved one or family pet, loss of friendships, being overwhelmed at school or other things, that cause us to not know how to explain what we are feeling. During these times, your parent or teacher may notice that something is going on. They may ask you what you are feeling or why you are feeling that way. When these questions are asked, it can sometimes be very frustrating especially if you don’t know what or why you’re feeling. Sometimes, parents or other adults, (teachers, legal guardians, social workers, etc.) can bring us to a special doctor to help us explain what we are feeling and why. These special doctors are called psychologists.

What is a psychologist?

A psychologist is a doctor who specializes in psychology, which again is the study of how the human brain works. Psychologists work with many people of all ages. Psychologists can help treat and diagnose mental health problems like anxiety or depression. They can also help with brain injury, pain management, explaining how physical illness can impact someone’s well-being, dealing with family issues, stress, anger, lack of focus, trouble at school and other aspects of life.

Why do I need to see a psychologist?

If you’ve been having a rough time at home or at school, your parents may decide to bring you to a psychologist. This can be scary and cause some anxiety, especially if you don’t think there are any problems. Seeing a psychologist can be helpful for all types of things; including dealing with family problems, bullying, behaviour and other things that may be out of hand.

Important information!

Seeing a psychologist does not mean that you are “weird” or that you are “weak”. Many people see a psychologist during their life time for lots of different reasons. Think of seeing a psychologist as seeing any other type of doctor! Any problems that you are experiencing, for example, hyperactivity and lack of concentration in school, can negatively impact your life without getting the help you need, and by going to see a specified doctor, you can get the help you deserve!

Sources:

https://www.verywellmind.com/child-psychologist-2795637

https://childdevelopmentinfo.com/child-psychology/

Have you ever woken up and noticed new blemishes on your skin? Maybe it is just a few, maybe it is an entire breakout. I would like to introduce you to the world of skin care specialists, or estheticians. They have the knowledge to guide and assist you in taking care of your skin:

A skin care specialist is usually found working in health and beauty spas and salons, and medical offices. Skin care specialists will be able to examine your skin to determine your skin type, cleanse your skin, perform extraction, figure out what treatments and products will be good for your skin as well as remove unwanted hair. Sometimes, they will even apply makeup for you and suggest different products according to your skin type and sensitivity.. In some cases they may even give you a referral to see a dermatologist if there is a serious skin problem that they cannot take care of.

In Canada the average pay of a skin care specialist is around $17.17 an hour, this is not including any tips they might make. You can make a yearly salary of about  $30,000. This all may vary depending on  where you work , a specialist who is self employed my not make as much as one who is employed by a large company.

In Ontario, an education is not required, neither is a license, however it will look much better to an employer if you do have them. That’s why most people who choose this career path take post-secondary cosmetology or esthetician courses. This provides them with knowledge, experience and proper training to work in this field safely. Safety in this field includes using new, clean tools for each client, as well as keeping the work environment sanitary to prevent the spread of unwanted bacteria. Different employers may look for different things when hiring skin care specialists for their businesses- be sure to know what they are looking for.

Without skin care specialists, we might not have the resources to properly keep our skin healthy and clean. Who knows whose skin you will be able to help!

https://www.google.ca/amp/s/www.careerexplorer.com/careers/skincare-specialist.amp

https://www.payscale.com/research/CA/Job=Medical_Esthetician/Hourly_Rate

If there’s anything that we know about firefighters, it’s that they are often regarded as heroes and heroines. It’s no surprise that there have been an abundance of movies and TV shows where the central characters are firefighters and the challenges they face. Among the most notable films are “Ladder 49” and the classic film “The Towering Inferno” (which your parents or grandparents will know about). As for the TV shows, there’s a plethora of them such as “Chicago Fire” and “Station 19,” but make sure to watch these with adult supervision as some scenes can be downright scary.

Unlike pop culture though, the road to become a firefighter doesn’t just happen in a snap. If this is the profession you have in mind, be prepared for a lot of hard work – and we’re not talking about just physically. There’s more to being a fireperson than just mere physical prowess, let us take a closer look below:

Firepeople – What You Need to Know

Firefighters are the first people anyone calls whenever a fire breaks out in their vicinity, be it a residential or commercial. Their main duty is to look out for individuals whose lives are threatened by the fire and ensure their security and safety by extinguishing the fire or at least minimizing it so it becomes less of a threat.

However, there are times when a fire completely goes out of control and firefighters will have to risk their lives and enter burning structures to save individuals who may have been trapped. At the same time, they put their lives on the line as they endure smoke inhalation and weakening or falling structures.

Despite their job title though, firefighters are also professionals to rely upon in emergencies that don’t necessarily involve a fire. For instance, a recent incident of a man falling down an elevator shaft in Downtown Toronto prompted witnesses to rely on firefighters to rescue the man who fell three floors down.

And if you think firefighters are only for humans, think again! After all, we all know about firepeople rescuing cats trapped in trees. A similar incident occurred in Mooney’s Bay in Ottawa recently except that this involved a Canada goose who got entangled in guide wires that keep birds away from the beach. It was Ottawa Fire Services who came to the poor bird’s rescue.

When not responding to emergencies and being heroes and heroines, firefighters still have a lot to do. They are responsible for the upkeep of their trucks, hoses, and other equipment and take part in continuous training and drills that make them better prepared for emergencies. At times, they also visit schools and community centres to teach kids and adults about fire prevention. This is especially common during fire prevention week.

Salary

According to PayScale.com, firefighters can earn C$52,116 a year.

Skills

The physical requirements to become a firefighter is extensive, and you will have to earn a valid Physical Fitness Assessment or CPAT in most areas. In addition, it’s ideal that you have a 20/30 vision, as well as certifications in First Aid and CPR Level C. You may also have to complete a Firefighter Practice Aptitude Test which will equip you with the know-how and skills to become an effective firefighter.

On the other hand, the academic requirements for becoming a fireperson is not heavy, but this doesn’t mean that mental prowess takes a backseat. While only a minimum of a Grade 12 diploma is required in terms of education, firefighters need to have the mental alertness and agility to be able to respond appropriately to emergencies. Plus, it takes a lot of courage and valor to put one’s own life on the line to save another – there’s no amount of studying that can earn one those qualities.

Pros and Cons

A career as a fireperson can be physically strenuous. They are on call 24/7 and may be required to put in more work hours depending on the gravity of the emergency. It’s common to hear of people who work 24-hour shifts should the situation call for it. It can be mentally taxing as well since firepeople do put themselves in danger in order to ensure the safety of their community.

While there are disadvantages, the role of a firefighter can be extremely rewarding as it’s definitely a profession that serves a great value to the community.

SOURCES:

https://firerecruitment.ca/tos/how-become-firefighter/

https://www.firescience.org/how-to-become-a-firefighter/

https://www.payscale.com/research/CA/Job=Fireman/Salary

https://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/man-in-mobility-scooter-falls-three-floors-down-toronto-elevator-shaft-1.4376408

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/firefighters-rescue-entangled-bird-1.4853545

What is Bullying?

Bullying is when someone hurts someone else either by using words or actions. It is an issue that affects many people. Bullying can happen over a short period of time or can happen for a long time. It can be very dangerous and lead to worse situations. It can also harm people that are not involved in the bullying.

Where Can Bullying Happen?

Bullying can happen anywhere and at any time. It is most common for bullying to take place in schools, school buses, at a playground, or even online. Bullying is not just something kids and teens experience; it can be experienced by adults, too.

Why do People Bully Others?

There could be many reasons as to why people become bullies. Sometimes they do not even realize that they are bullying someone else.

Somebully others because they are looking for attention. They might find that picking on others is a way to make them feel much more powerful. They use the victim’s reactions to help build their self-esteem.

Other bullies grew up with families who are abusive in many different ways. Since they grew up in that environment, they might have learned from what they wereused to seeing and hearing. They use what they have experienced to harm others, and this is not always intentional.

Types of Bullying

Sometimes it is difficult to know if one is being bullied or not. It is important to know different types of bullying.

Here are four common types of bullying that you, or a friend might experience:

1. Physical Bullying

This type of bullying involves using physical actions to harm others.

Physical bullying includes:

• Punching and hitting
• Kicking
• Pinching
• Pushing and shoving
• Taking or breaking someone’s belongings
• Yelling

1. Verbal Bullying

This type of bullying uses words to make others feel bad about themselves.

Verbal bullying includes:

• Name calling
• Teasing
• Embarrassing or humiliating others
• Insulting
• Inappropriate comments
• Taunting
• Making threats

1. Social Bullying

This type of bullying is often, but not always, done behind someone’s back. It is done to humiliate others and to ruin their social reputation.

Social bullying includes:

• Spreading rumours
• Purposely excluding others from groups and activities
• Embarrassing or humiliating others
• Mimicking

1. Cyber Bullying

This type of bullying involves technology, such as cellphones, computers, social media or text messaging. Although it is not done in person, it can be just as harmful as other types of bullying.

Cyberbullying includes:

• Sending rude text messages
• Posting unwanted posts of someone else
• Creating mean comments about others

How Can One Handle Bullying?

If you or someone you know is being bullied, you should tell someone right away. You could tell an adult you trust, such as your parents, a teacher, or your principal. If you are unsure if you are being bullied and feel that the issue is affecting you, it is best to tell a trusted adult about how you are feeling. There is no reason for anyone to have to feel unsafe and hurt. Never feel the need to have to hide your feelings and any problems that may be affecting your day to day life. There is always someone who is there to listen to you. Don’t be afraid!

Resources:

https://www.stopbullying.gov/what-is-bullying/index.html

https://www.ncab.org.au/bullying-advice/bullying-for-parents/types-of-bullying/

https://kidshealth.org/en/kids/bullies.html?ref=search

https://www.pacerkidsagainstbullying.org/what-is-bullying/

Before we started school, most of us displayed a high level of curiosity about the things we came across and asked the adults in our lives as many questions we could think of. Where does rain come from? Why are the leaves green? How do dogs bark? What is a Prime Minister? When do volcanoes erupt?  You name it. The 5 Ws and 1 H. You probably wouldn’t fully remember those times, of course, but your parents or older siblings would certainly do if you ask them.

As pre-school kids, most of us were naturally curious, but as soon as we started learning in classrooms, chances are, our motivation to ask questions, may have diminished. It’s probably because we’ve grown shy or maybe fearful of what our peers might think of us. While for some of us, it’s simply because we don’t want to seem like we’re not intelligent or smart enough; this is not true. What’s more, being inquisitive offers advantages:

It keeps you and others well-informed.

Not all students are in the same wavelength, but when you ask questions, you’ve probably prompted your classmates to go, “Yes! I was about to ask the same thing.” They were most likely on the same page as you were but just could not find the right way to pose the query. Learning as a group is always a good thing. When you’re inquisitive, you and your classmates have more opportunities to become well-informed on topics that were initially unclear to you and them.

It helps you more efficient to avoiding mistakes.

Learning is a continuous process, and making mistakes are a part of it. However, constantly asking questions means that you’re constantly getting answers, which trains you to steer clear of errors later on. For example, if you’re confused about when to correctly use “despite of” and “in spite of” in sentences, ask your English teacher for clarification. Having that matter explained to you now means you’ll be more aware of the proper use of those phrases in the future and avoid using them incorrectly altogether.

It shows you’re interested to learning more and you lead by example.

If you find yourself often raising your hand to offer your teacher a query, don’t feel upset about it even for a second. This means that you’re engaged in the subject or topic, and your teacher will appreciate the effort you put in and your classmates will recognize it in you as well. Being attentive of school lessons is a good sign that you’re passionate about learning, and it is also an effective way to inspire the others in your classroom who are not as engaged as you.

It helps fill in the gaps in teaching.

Teachers are qualified professionals, that’s why they are in the position they are in. They are always accommodating in taking in questions, and they’re always happy to provide you with the answers. However, keep in mind they’re not perfect and their lesson plans are not set in stone. There might be questions which might catch them off guard, but this is a good thing as it means there is room for improvement in their lessons plans, and it means you are an instrument in identifying those areas for enhancement.

It leads to enlightening discussions.

At times, the answers to the questions you ask won’t be found in any book, and that’s OK. You and your classmates have to realize that some queries don’t have right or wrong answers. Rather, these questions foster insightful discussions between you and others in the classroom, and knowing about different perspectives allow learning from each other.

Still frightful of raising your hand to ask a question? Don’t be. Remember the advantages you’ve read above, and keep asking those questions!

SOURCES:

https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbescoachescouncil/2017/09/12/how-you-can-benefit-by-asking-more-questions/#7486ba462118

https://www.teachthought.com/critical-thinking/always-on-inquiry-asking-more-questions-classroom/

When Students Do Not Ask Questions in Class

It may be way past the holiday season, but there’s never a wrong time to talk about one of the most menacing characters ever to have graced the movie screens, The Grinch. This lone grouchy and holiday spirit-free creature based on a beloved children’s story “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” by Theodor Geisel or as many know him, “Dr. Seuss,” has received countless film reincarnations over the years.

There’s simply something about a miser who’s bent on stopping the holiday fun for everyone else that appeals to every one of us. The most recent of these film renditions was last year’s animated film “The Grinch,” which took in a whopping $511 million at the box office. Of course, a major reason why the character is so popular is its main character’s endearing change of heart in the end. He realizes that he is not alone after all and that he has a lot to be grateful for.

The Grinch’s character arc is interesting because it shows an underlying perspective on the long-drawn out debate of “happiness makes us grateful” vs. “gratefulness makes us happy.” Accepting the latter more than the former is key to developing a more grateful attitude in life no matter what. If you’re wondering how to practice gratitude more, you’re on the right track.

Say “thank you” even for the smallest of things.

If you want to have a more grateful attitude, start a mindset that even the little things matter. For example, if your school bus driver waits for you to be properly seated before he or she starts the bus, say “thank you.” Sure, it’s their job to keep kids safe and secure while on the road but showing appreciation for the gesture, no matter how small it is, means you are grateful and therefore you’re spreading a positive attitude in turn.

Find something to be thankful for.

Set aside any time of the day and take a pause to ponder on something in your life that you appreciate. It can be your little sibling saying his or her first words, an “A” from your teacher, or a newly fixed bike. Being able to dedicate a moment to express your thanks allows you to practice the habit better. You can even start doing this more when you’re feeling not-so-great and you’ll kiss those blues away in no time.

A more creative variation of this is to have a gratitude journal or a jar. Write something each day that you’re thankful for on a notebook or a small piece of paper (and drop it into a jar), and when you’re feeling down in the dumps, just go through a page or take out any one of those small pieces of paper.

Write a gratitude letter to someone.

Don’t wait for a holiday or a special occasion to express how grateful you are to someone to have them in your life. Take a piece of paper and write a gratitude letter to them and deliver it to them in person. No emails or texts—just old-fashioned letter writing. Don’t worry about the letter having grammatical errors and the like. The important thing here is to express yourself and let your intended reader know what’s in your heart. Just start with the prompt, “I’m grateful you are in my life because …. “ Do this one as often as possible.

Be observant of your emotions and others’ reactions.

When you’ve adopted the habit of saying thanks for even the small things, take note of your emotions and how doing it makes you feel. Be observant of how others react or take to it as well. When it’s become a daily habit and it’s been so ingrained in your daily activities, you’ll find that it becomes instinct for you to express gratitude and in turn you are spreading a positive attitude to the people around you.

Being grateful takes practice, but once you get used to it, you’ll see its uplifting effects on you and others. Remember, saying thank you to someone doesn’t have to mean writing a thank you note and sending flowers—it can simply mean saying the actual words “Thank you!” and it goes a long way.

SOURCES:

https://www.psychologytoday.com/ca/blog/the-empowerment-diary/201611/why-be-grateful

https://www.mindful.org/what-does-it-mean-to-be-grateful/

https://www.happify.com/hd/the-science-behind-gratitude/

https://www.ted.com/talks/david_steindl_rast_want_to_be_happy_be_grateful?language=en

Mindfulness is something we can do and practice to help us connect with ourselves and the world around us in the present moment. Mindfulness is important because it can help you feel happy and can help reduce and eliminate stress! Some mindful activities you might enjoy could include things as simple as listening to calming music, reading a book, writing in a journal, colouring, or taking a walk outside, practicing deep breathing, eating mindfully and doing meditation.  In this article, we will look at 3 different mindful activities, how to use them and how they can improve your life!

1. Breathing Buddy:

This mindful activity is a great way for you  to find comfort and release tension quickly. You will need a stuffed animal (your breathing buddy) for this exercise! Next, you lie down on your back with your breathing buddy laying on your belly. Watch and focus your attention on the rise and fall of the stuffed animal as you breathe in and out. This activity teaches kids to breathe through their stomachs rather than just their chest. Good things about this activity: more energy, less stress, better blood flow, relaxation, comfort, and peace.

1. Mindful Walking – “Noticing Walk”:

This mindful activity is a relaxing way to decrease stress, get you  outdoors and improve focus. Going outside for a 10-30 minute walk can be very helpful and can boost your mood drastically! While you are walking around the neighbourhood, try to notice things you haven’t seen before. For 1-5 minutes of the walk, designate a moment of silence where you can pay attention to all the sounds you hear, for example: birds, people in the distance, cars driving past, lawnmowers or rain! This activity is great because it not only gets you  outside but also improves your  observational and attentive skills; it also can help with directional skills and make you  feel more relaxed and comforted in your neighbourhood!

1. Meditation practices – “The Balloon”:

Meditation can be challenging , but with practice, it can become very helpful and beneficial to improve energy, focus, and attention. This meditation activity, “The Balloon”, can be done standing or sitting. Relax your body and start taking deep breaths in through your mouth, and slow breaths out through your nose. When you take slow deep breaths in, try to fill your belly up with air, as if you were trying to blow up a big balloon. Then, slowly let the air out through the nose as you release the breath from your belly. Feel your entire body relax each time you exhale. Doing “The Balloon” or other meditation activities may take some work but they can be very helpful and calming. While you are breathing, think about the colour of the giant balloon you’re blowing up. If you want, when you inhale you can stretch your arms up above your head representing the balloon expanding and when you exhale, bring your arms down by your side again.

There are many different ways to practice mindfulness. Mindfulness helps us connect with ourselves at the moment, and the benefits can be long-term. The results of a study conducted by the “Journal of Child and Family Studies” in 2011 proves the effectiveness of an 8-week mindfulness program for kids ages 8-12 (especially children with ADHD or Autism), with results being reduced ADHD behaviours,  reduced stress, improved mood and better performance in school. Finally, practicing mindfulness can be  very important in your life because it can help reduce stress, improve mood levels and confidence, and overall it can help you live happy and healthy lives!

Sources:

“3 Kid-Friendly Meditations Your Children Will Love.” The Chopra Center, 3 Oct. 2018, https://chopra.com/articles/3-kid-friendly-meditations-your-children-will-love .

“Are You a Chest or Belly Breather? (. . . and Why It Matters!).” Peak Potential Physiotherapy & Wellness, www.peakpotentialpt.com/blog/2018/3/30/chest-belly-breather

Beach, Sarah Rudell. “8 Ways to Teach Mindfulness to Kids.” HuffPost, HuffPost, 23 July 2014, www.huffpost.com/entry/8-ways-to-teach-mindfulness-to-kids_b_5611721

“Mindfulness for Children.” The New York Times, The New York Times, www.nytimes.com/guides/well/mindfulness-for-children.

Writing is one of the first things we learn when we begin school. For many, writing becomes an outlet for their feelings or creativity. Choosing a career in professional writing  gives you a way to tell a story and have the reader see it in their own unique way. Your writing can lead to many people learning things that they didn’t know were possible. The possibilities of what to write are endless.

Authors and writers can open doors to the most creative parts of a reader’s mind and can take them to far away lands or into the minds of complex characters. But it does not have to be all fictional. You can find books about anything, fiction and non-fiction. If making up a story and telling it how you want is not the direction you would like to go, then don’t. You can write non-fiction books about real people and real events to educate people directly. It is all up to you.

Now, setting an exact price range of how much authors make is not easy, as it often comes down to the sales. However, the average for freelance authors and writers is only around $9,380.

Getting a job in writing might be easier said than done. Depending on what kind of writing you want to do, you might have a harder time finding work. If you are wanting to write for a newspaper,  magazine or even a website, you will likely have an easier time getting started. Writing books on your own might take some time as you will need to find a publisher and people to sell your book. But that does not cover the amount of work needed before your writing is out there for the world to see. You will need to go through the planning and editing processes,  which is a lot of work, but  absolutely necessary and required for success. .

An education is needed when it comes to almost every career. In order to become a professional writer, employers look for people with a bachelor’s degree in English, journalism or communication. The information and techniques you learn from these programs will help make your writing the best it can be.

Sometimes we hold ourselves back from doing what we love, in fear that someone will do it better. But a piece of writing can make a change in people’s hearts or perspectives. And it could be your work that does this for them.  Do not let your potential die out, one day your writing could be somebody’s safe place. Get writing!

Sources:

https://collegegrad.com/careers/writers-and-authors

https://www.google.ca/amp/s/www.thestar.com/amp/entertainment/books/2018/10/22/canadian-writers-make-on-average-just-9380-a-year-survey-finds.htm

Since social media entered our lives, there have been a slew of criticisms about it in the form of art works, film, and literature, but perhaps no one has been able to capture the disapproval so accurately than Dave Eggers in his best-selling fiction thriller “The Circle.” In the book, Eggers’ characters debate that communication done through social media is nothing more than mere “snack food”—no nourishment, just empty calories. In the book, Eggers’ characters even suggest that going on a digital binge or spending too much time online is akin to eating a while bag of chips in one sitting: you still end up feeling “wasted and hollow.”

While we can’t deny the rewards that social media has offered us whether we are reaching out to a friend or family member miles and miles away or scheduling a last-minute surprise birthday party for a loved one, apps like Facebook Messenger or What’s App has us covered. Unfortunately, if we reap rewards, we also encounter bumps along the way. Let’s take a closer look below at the lost art of in-person communication in the midst of virtual communication.

No In-person Interactions, no problems

Social media has in some way changed the way we deal with problems. If we have to deliver a piece of bad news to a friend or family member, say we lost a precious piece of jewellery we borrowed from them to attend a lavish party, we don’t feel the importance of delivering it in person and instead settle for a virtual medium because it’s the easier way out. This way, we can easily say our apologies via instant message while providing ourselves the privilege to escape the repercussions of our mistake and avoid the messy aftermath. We remain unscathed so to speak.

On the other end of the spectrum, we hope the recipient of the message does not make a big deal out of the bad news we’ve just delivered, and we assume that they get the hint that the mere fact we used an online medium means that the news is of trite importance anyway and that it’s so trivial it didn’t warrant a face-to-face interaction. You don’t bother to consider their feelings about the whole scenario. For you, losing jewellery is nothing, and you assume the owner feels the same way, even when that’s not the case.. Therefore, the news should be taken lightly and you wipe your hands clean of what has transpired.

Well-informed but detached

With social media, it’s easy to be informed of a certain situation or issue but not necessary emotionally involved in it. We click on the like or dislike button on a post like that’s the be-all and end-all of it, and move on to the next one. While we get to learn new things everyday by logging online, we don’t allow ourselves time to totally immerse ourselves on that new information, be it a civil war in another country or a labour dispute in a nearby province. We pride ourselves in knowing what’s happening around the world, but we can’t bring ourselves to be emotional about it.

Diminished social connection

Studies have shown that kids who would rather interact via their screens loses valuable social skills in return. Marc Brackett, director of Yale University’s Center for Emotional Intelligence, says the more time kids spend onscreen, the less chances they have to understand emotions and create strong bonds with people around them, and it applies to adults as well. In addition, there’s also too much dependence on the use of emojis or emoticons, but they are no substitute for voice inflection, body language, and facial expression, which one has access to during face-to-face interactions.

Social media augments relationships

Just the same, there are individuals who believe that social media is not at all bad. Last year, a group of researchers at the University of Missouri-Columbia have found that social media use has no significant negative effect on social interactions or social well-being. Michael Kearney, assistant professor at the MU School of Journalism, believes that ultimately, it’s up to individuals to decide how to maintain their relationships, and whether that’s through social media or other means does not matter. What matters is that people make an effort to keep in touch.

Social media is “not intrinsically bad”

Kids spending time on screens is “not intrinsically bad for children’s health” according to leading pediatricians in the United Kingdom. However, it must be said that parents must ensure their children get enough sleep, exercise, and family interaction. For teens, it’s up to them to instill self-discipline to limit their time online and make sure they get sufficient sleep time and exercise and spend quality time with family.

It’s wrong to automatically assume face-to-face interaction is better than online interaction as both has its own advantages and disadvantages. However, the better thing to do is find ways to make work alongside the other.

SOURCES

https://www.theguardian.com/media/2019/jan/04/screen-time-not-intrinsically-bad-for-children-say-doctors

https://www.theguardian.com/media/2019/jan/15/impact-social-media-children-mental-health

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/03/180301103658.htm

https://www.deseretnews.com/article/865609628/How-technology-is-changing-the-way-we-communicate.html

https://www.forbes.com/sites/ajagrawal/2017/05/04/millennials-are-struggling-with-face-to-face-communication-heres-why/#1388521226e8