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Social media: how it can affect your mental health by having to look a certain way. by Holly Wilkins

Do you feel like you have to look a certain way and be “perfect”? If you’re feeling like that then stop because you don’t have to meet other people's standards. You can be your own perfect. As long as you are comfortable in your own body (without the influence of others) then it shouldn’t matter what other insignificant people think. Social media plays a significant role in the lives of millions of young girls and boys, women and men. It influences the idea and perception of body image, beauty and perfection. Body images on social media statistically affect more women and young girls than men and young boys. Women and young girls feel that their body has to look a certain way; they have to be skinny, have to have a big bum and big boobs, they can’t have any stretch-marks, scars or any imperfections. As women we can’t have a bit of tummy fat; we have to workout and keep ‘in shape’; we have to have a small waist with a flat stomach, big boobs and a big bum which, in real...
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The Ignorance of Language by Caitlin Padfield

English Natives are ignorant.  There, I said it. For the most part, at least. For students and young people, it’s ingrained in in our minds that language lessons (be it French, German or Spanish, etc.) are dreadful, a waste of time, a distraction, and providing no advantage unless we decide to study abroad to fully utilise the language. >> This could not be any further from the truth! << We don’t prioritise foreign language classes as we should, which has therefore inadvertently created a society full of culturally close-minded people. This entire mind-set that “English is the most important language” and that “most people speak English anyway” is so toxic. It is also the 2 nd most common reason in the UK as to why students didn’t choose a MFL for GCSE (which has fallen by 40% between 2010 and 2016) – closely following “because they’re too difficult”. Most fail to realise how daunting it is for non- native English speakers to speak their own language or e...
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School did not teach me life skills I need by Ellie Hill

The things I learnt in school have not helped me to understand the way the world works or the responsibilities I now have as an adult. Instead we are taught the ins and outs of algebra and the ways we can analyse poems and stories. We are reminded to read between the lines and look at the hidden meaning of a word that an author has used.  I can guarantee the author's intentions were not to have their work studied but just an opportunity to escape this stressful world that no one is prepared for. It still baffles me to think that somehow that was going to help me later on. Imagine how much easier it would have been if we were taught about paying rent and mortgages or how to apply ourselves in this ever changing world. If teachers were to take a small amount of time out of their curriculum to teach us these, I’d be so much more aware about the way the world worked as an adult. It also seems like now the only reason kids are taught the things they are   is so they c...
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People aren’t aware of how mental illness affects young people by Maegan Willson

Kids and teenagers are constantly changing. They grow up quickly and before you know it, that giggly, energetic toddler is a teenager who sleeps ‘til noon. As we grow it’s normal to experience changes but with all the changes going on, how can we tell which ones are actually normal? At what point should parents start worrying that their teenager's “mood swings” are just “growing pains” or “hormones”? It can be hard to tell. The truth is, for many teens, these changes aren’t just part of growing up. These changes are symptoms of mental illness. Mental illness can be disruptive to a teenager’s normal development that can affect them for the rest of their lives. The most common include anxiety disorders, anorexia, bulimia and depression. Around 15% of teenagers experience depression. It can affect attitudes and emotions, making teens feel sad or irritated. It causes people to experience low mood , loss of interest, feelings of guilt or low self-worth, disturbed sleep or appe...
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Feminism, a word that needs to be taken seriously by Tammin Williams

When we think of the word feminism, what comes to mind? Angry women, pitchforks in hand, screaming about how all men must be condemned to hell? Or perhaps a female that gets offended as soon as you demand she make you a sandwich? What feminism actually is, is the advocacy of women’s rights on the grounds of equality for both sexes. Many people often argue that feminism is not needed these days, how females are completely safe. However, I believe that it is very much needed. When you put a man in power who has been  accused of sexually assaulting and harassing women, then the result will always be biased. Look at  Kvanagh, Trump defended the perpetrator, degraded the victim and left her humiliated in the public eye. The bible refers to a part where Jesus mentions gouging every male’s eyes out who dared look at a female in an inappropriate manner. If we took that verse as seriously as we do about gay relations,  most men would probably be blind. Another...
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Fashion has become a competition

Fashion. It feels like a competition to keep up with trends rather than a way to express ourselves. Fashion is no longer about what you want to wear, it's about: What do you wear so you can't be judged? It surprises me how much pressure there is on kids to have the latest and most popular clothes or brands. Time after time my kids tell me they NEED the latest pair of Adidas trainers or Nike t-shirt. I struggle to understand how not having them makes you so different. Furthermore, the rate and price of the ever-changing trends is ridiculous. How is my 11 year old son expected to keep up when they change every month? But (because of social media and other kids in school) I am forced to regularly buy my kids new clothes; to save them the judgement at school. So I think it's about time that brands like Adidas stopped using this to their advantage and began to think about the well-being of young people in this generation. Ellie
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People caught lying on social media by Charlotte Pryke

People caught lying on social media should be banned and removed!!! The one thing I hate the most is people caught lying on social media. The fact that people spend all their free time thinking of a lie to post so that they become popular. Why do you do this to yourselves? What for attention?  That’s it! Now I know why you do it. You just want to be the center of attention! Well it won’t work. Someone will call you out for lying.  JUST STOP!  It’s annoying. Do you do this? If you do just stop, it’s a waste of time. If that is all you can think about then get rid of your social media because it’s just stupid.  The other day I was on twitter looking through the posts when I saw a stunning photo of someone I follow, and just as I was about to say “OMG! You’re so beautiful”, I saw the caption which said “UGH! I’m so ugly.” Now you’ve done it. You’ve triggered the evil side of me. Now I’m going to comment saying “Yes! You are ugly.” Don’t expect pe...
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