Opinion

The dos and don’ts of social media for students

Sofia Trujillo, Staff writer • November 11, 2025

Left to right: Freshman Zaylee Requena, Senior Jadyn Manriquez, Junior Isabella Solis, Sophomores Angelina Solis and Aubrey Maldonado talk to each other as Solis focuses on her phone to get all of her content posted on TikTok. “The reason why I keep posting is so I can make the money that I make from Tiktok, because when I review the clothing, I get commission off of it, so that’s why I keep posting,” Solis said.

Social media has become an essential part of society, including in students’ lives. From sharing stories and posts with friends and family to documenting important events, social media is a powerful tool that lets everyone freely express themselves. Although there are many positive effects of social media, there can also be problems that arise from using social media platforms carelessly or without thinking about the consequences of a “harmless post.”

Social media can be used positively when it serves as a tool to spread kindness, such as posting uplifting or motivational videos. It is important to remember that a person’s digital footprint will stay with them forever, and it reflects the type of person they are.

According to the article “Why deleting something from the internet is almost impossible” by the news company CNN, whatever someone puts online can never be private again. Even after deletion, there is still a chance someone has it. That is why, before posting anything online, a user must think and reflect on what they will be showing the world and what consequences it will have. One way someone can do this is by asking themselves: “Would I be comfortable and problem-free if my teacher, parents or employer saw this?”

Senior Jessalyn Haik uses social media to express who she is and enjoys crafting her Instagram and TikTok page

Senior Jassalyn Haik responds to one of her comments that reads, “the prettiest,” with “thank you so much girlyy” to show her appreciation of her supporters. She finds herself frequently posting selfies and pictures that show her style as a form of expression. “I like responding to comments because I like when my friends support me, and it helps me be more confident, and I also comment on their posts,” Haik said.

to best fit her aesthetic. Although she has fun posting her selfies, places she visits and friends, she remains cautious about what she posts online.

“I post selfies and pictures that people take of me, I have a separate account with my close people, that’s my spam, I just wouldn’t post me going out on my main story,” Haik said.

A positive way to use social media is also by cultivating and building a portfolio or resume. Treating social media like an extension of a person’s resume can help track growth and

build a personal brand. This can be displayed through creating a business account if someone has had a goal of starting a business or it can mean posting professional pictures of a person’s vision, such as an athlete taking professional photos who wants to be scouted for their specific sport.

Senior Brandon Haymon uses platforms such as Instagram and YouTube to market himself and his barbershop business. He finds it to be a powerful tool where he cannot only build clients and generate Odyssey sales, which is a digital growth marketing agency that specializes in services like inbound marketing, advertising, and commercial structuring for businesses, but also create an image of how he wants to be perceived.

“My marketing is more to showcase my work and what I do, and based on that, I get a return investment, and that would be clients booking or Odyssey sales. I wouldn’t post something I wouldn’t align with the image I am trying to portray online,”

Senior Brandon Haymon uses social media to promote and showcase his barbershop business. He posts daily on his story, showing off his clients’ haircuts to advertise his abilities and keep expanding his business. “I feel like I’m an entertainer one and two, I provide a service, so I feel like a lot of people can benefit from that, and I can inspire others,” Haymon said.

Haymon said.

It is just as important to be cautious and avoid the negatives of social media, such as cyberbullying or oversharing personal information. Cyberbullying is a serious problem that can have devastating consequences for the victims and for the person doing the action.

According to the article, the “doʼs and donʼts of social media for students” by the California Learning Resource Network, a website aligned with the State Board of Education academic content standards, it is crucial to avoid harassing, threatening, or intimidating others online. As it can lead to legal penalties, expulsion from school and long-term damage to relationships.

Instead, social media is best used in a balanced manner where a person can express their personality, the clothes they wear and how they are perceived, but still be cautious and keep a professional portfolio.

Junior Isabella Solis focuses on painting a positive image on TikTok, where she has a large following of 49,600 followers. She expresses herself through posting multiple TikTok videos a day, where she reviews clothes and showcases her style and personality.

“I mostly use it just for content and reviewing clothing that I get. I use it to express myself and the style I like. I’m always careful with what I post. I don’t want to post the wrong thing because people are quick to cancel you,” Solis said.

Social media continues to be a powerful tool, but it is crucial to think before you post; after all, you never know who is watching.