In my creative writing class this past week, we did an exercise about interviewing, taking what we got from the interviews, and creating an editorial to go with the material.

The topic of the interview was social media. We were allowed to ask whatever questions we wanted pertaining to the subject. I chose to focus my questions on the negative impact social media has had in the lives of children.

When I was a kid, we would go out and play until we heard the bell signaling it was time for dinner. Now, instead of playing, kids are on their iPhones checking Instagram and Twitter.

In 7th grade, I asked my dad for a Facebook because everyone else had one. He said no, especially because he knew I literally wasn't old enough to sign up for Facebook. So I did what any other 7th grader did and simply made my account at school (this was before all forms of social media were blocked on school computers). I simply changed the year I was born and it was fine. I was now a 13 year old on Facebook.

It wasn't until now that I realized how silly social media is. Sure, it's a fun way to connect with friends and your favorite celebrities, but what happens when it consumes your life? I'm not saying that I don't love social media, I'm a Media Studies major in school for Gods sake. I'm in love with social media more than most people are. So in love that sometimes, I've been on my phone for so long that my hand starts to cramp from holding my phone. That's honestly pathetic.

Kids are being exposed to social media so early that they don't even have the time to be a kid. Social media is all well and good on the surface but it also comes with the potential risk of cyber bullying, high expectations from society, and information that kids just shouldn't be worried about just yet. You can't shelter kids forever, but a 7 year old on Twitter and Instagram is unnecessary. What do they have to tweet about?

It's ironic because I'm ranting about how social media is negatively impacting our youth, yet this is being written on a social media platform and it will be shared on social media platforms.

I can't change the fact that social media is becoming bigger and bigger as the days go on, but I can change how often I use my accounts. So I'm not only going to challenge myself but I'm going to challenge you to limit the time you spend on or checking a social media platform.

I'm up for the challenge, are you?