According to the U.S. surgeon general’s 2023 warning, “Up to 95% of youth ages 13–17 report using a social media platform, with more than a third saying they use social media ‘almost constantly.’” Stressing the need for more research to fully understand the impact of social media on youth, the surgeon general calls attention to “ample indicators that social media can also have a profound risk of harm to the mental health and well-being of children and adolescents.”

Naomi Limann ’26 sees the effects firsthand, and she shared her thoughts on the matter in an opinion piece this summer, published by PennLive, Pennsylvania’s leading online local news platform.

“The fact that young children are going around wearing adult-styled clothing, using makeup and looking like teenagers is dangerously bizarre,” Naomi wrote. “It reflects the lack of monitoring of children’s media consumption and the huge impact of social media on youth.”

Naomi’s article was published during her summer internship sponsored by the World Affairs Council of Harrisburg and PennLive. During the program, interns met with leading officials in Harrisburg to learn how the city works and the challenges they face. They also had the opportunity to reach out to international leaders to discuss issues on a national and global scale. “It was an amazing experience,” Naomi said. “It inspired me to evoke change.”
 
Cellphone use and social media’s impact on youth is a very personal issue for Naomi. Before coming to Blair, she noticed how much time she and her peers spent on their phones, often without restrictions, even in class. Her younger sister, a fourth grader, is now falling into the same cycle, except this time, she’s even younger and feeling the pressure to wear makeup and follow influencer trends.

For her article, Naomi interviewed her sister’s former teacher, who has witnessed students struggling in social situations as screen time has risen, leading to increased anxiety and insecurities. Naomi feels it is up to parents and teachers to set healthy boundaries for youth in their care, not only by limiting time online, but also by monitoring the content they consume.

“Blair does a good job of keeping us active and engaged, so I’m not even thinking about my phone,” Naomi said. “It’s easier to make connections around campus and engage in small talk when everyone isn’t looking down at their phones, but we need to help the younger children who may be struggling.”

And Naomi is dedicated to the fight. She is still putting figurative pen to paper on more opinion pieces, and her work is gaining attention. She was runner-up for the Young Leader to Watch Award for her essay on contributing to Black excellence, sponsored by the Howard County Recreation and Parks in Maryland and was awarded a scholarship through the Immerse Education Essay Competition for her piece on artificial intelligence. Naomi is eager to continue her internship next summer and dive deeper into her ability to impact change.