Opinion
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Social Media’s Impact on Gun Control
By Isabelle Herring
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The Santa Fe, Texas shooting marks the 22nd school shooting since the start of 2018. 2018 so far has seen a tumultuous year for high school students. A big shift in activity occurred after the school shooting in Parkland, Florida, with student leaders, such as Emma Gonzalez, encouraging students to take political action in order to secure stricter gun laws. Powered through social media, the ‘Enough’ movement has taken hold at Columbia High School (CHS). The extent to which social media impacts the movement for stricter gun laws, both positively and negatively, can be seen in the continuous sharing of news over different social media. Many in the CHS community utilizes social media as a means to express their political beliefs. This can create awareness, but it can also arouse fear.
Many CHS students argue that while social media efforts for greater gun control can cause anxiety, it still has a mostly positive effect. Social media is seen as a tool to forward political aspirations of gun control, as well as provide support to those that have been affected by gun violence. Elizabeth Ko, ‘19, said, “I think social media has been instrumental in providing attention and support to the survivors of gun violence and the movement itself… even though many can’t physically support others, we can all connect online.” However, the support hasn’t necessarily led to the amount of action many CHS students were hoping for. Zoë Broncel, ‘19, said, “[Social media] brings more awareness to the topic and more voices to back the movement but it hasn’t created a lot of action.” Many people are dissatisfied with the lack of actual change to gun control legislation brought about by movements such as ‘Enough,’ because while social media gets young people involved, actual legislators don’t seem to be listening. Another issue is the opposition that is found on social media. Ko said, “there will always be a group of people against the movement who will do anything to prevent gun control from becoming legislation.”
Gun violence is a very real concern for many CHS students and staff. While New Jersey has relatively strict gun laws, many students are still alarmed by the amount of school shootings since the start of 2018. Social media brings about positive change and allows people to support each other, but for some students it is cause for anxiety. Ko said, “the topic of gun control does give me anxiety, especially on social media… seeing people’s opinions and ignorance towards gun control makes me anxious that nothing is going to get done and there will continue to be school shootings and innocent victims of gun violence.” The Maplewood-South Orange community does tend to have a similar mindset, and this can sometimes make differing opinions jarring. Suggestions proposed by people who oppose gun control laws include arming teachers, something many CHS students very strongly oppose. One such student is Ko, who said, “teachers being armed is not part of their job description. They’re in school to teach students… everything about that suggestion caused more violence. It does not provide a solution. Legislation does.”
Overall, the case of social media’s influence in the fight for gun control is nuanced. Social Media can cause anxiety, but overall the CHS community seems to believe that it has proved its ability to offer support to those affected by gun violence, and has had a positive role in garnering more support for the ‘Enough’ Movement.
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Where Do Teens End Up ?
By: Cecilia Banks
Picture Credit
Picture Credit
The Santa Fe, Texas shooting marks the 22nd school shooting since the start of 2018. 2018 so far has seen a tumultuous year for high school students. A big shift in activity occurred after the school shooting in Parkland, Florida, with student leaders, such as Emma Gonzalez, encouraging students to take political action in order to secure stricter gun laws. Powered through social media, the ‘Enough’ movement has taken hold at Columbia High School (CHS). The extent to which social media impacts the movement for stricter gun laws, both positively and negatively, can be seen in the continuous sharing of news over different social media. Many in the CHS community utilizes social media as a means to express their political beliefs. This can create awareness, but it can also arouse fear.
Many CHS students argue that while social media efforts for greater gun control can cause anxiety, it still has a mostly positive effect. Social media is seen as a tool to forward political aspirations of gun control, as well as provide support to those that have been affected by gun violence. Elizabeth Ko, ‘19, said, “I think social media has been instrumental in providing attention and support to the survivors of gun violence and the movement itself… even though many can’t physically support others, we can all connect online.” However, the support hasn’t necessarily led to the amount of action many CHS students were hoping for. Zoë Broncel, ‘19, said, “[Social media] brings more awareness to the topic and more voices to back the movement but it hasn’t created a lot of action.” Many people are dissatisfied with the lack of actual change to gun control legislation brought about by movements such as ‘Enough,’ because while social media gets young people involved, actual legislators don’t seem to be listening. Another issue is the opposition that is found on social media. Ko said, “there will always be a group of people against the movement who will do anything to prevent gun control from becoming legislation.”
Gun violence is a very real concern for many CHS students and staff. While New Jersey has relatively strict gun laws, many students are still alarmed by the amount of school shootings since the start of 2018. Social media brings about positive change and allows people to support each other, but for some students it is cause for anxiety. Ko said, “the topic of gun control does give me anxiety, especially on social media… seeing people’s opinions and ignorance towards gun control makes me anxious that nothing is going to get done and there will continue to be school shootings and innocent victims of gun violence.” The Maplewood-South Orange community does tend to have a similar mindset, and this can sometimes make differing opinions jarring. Suggestions proposed by people who oppose gun control laws include arming teachers, something many CHS students very strongly oppose. One such student is Ko, who said, “teachers being armed is not part of their job description. They’re in school to teach students… everything about that suggestion caused more violence. It does not provide a solution. Legislation does.”
Overall, the case of social media’s influence in the fight for gun control is nuanced. Social Media can cause anxiety, but overall the CHS community seems to believe that it has proved its ability to offer support to those affected by gun violence, and has had a positive role in garnering more support for the ‘Enough’ Movement.
OPwheredoteensendup556/600
Where Do Teens End Up ?
By: Cecilia Banks
Picture Credit
As teenagers start to grow into their adolescent stage, they tend to contemplate their futures. This can
be a stressful process for teenagers because these decisions can be marked by challenges, tensions,
and uncertainties that can generate stress, and also lower adolescents' future expectations. Though it
can cause stress, it can also arise awareness for teens. As one might say “A wake up call.” Anthony Agu
‘18, who attends Columbia High School had several words to say about why he chose the path he is
going towards. “When I was younger, I noticed that I liked science more than the other subjects.
The only reason why I picked Med School was truly for the money. And I know that is not always a good
way of going when it comes to picking a career. I am trying to force myself to like it. It’s still interesting.
Actually it's the most interesting, but im waiting for myself to fall in love with it. This career that I chose is
most definitely more about the money. The only reason why I am saying it is more about the money is
because the way people describe how they love their career, I don’t think I can say that about myself
when it comes to this career. So that’s why I am gonna settle with that it's about the money.” Agu’s
outlook on his future is basically making money. Should teenagers expectations be based off of making
money or doing what they love?
be a stressful process for teenagers because these decisions can be marked by challenges, tensions,
and uncertainties that can generate stress, and also lower adolescents' future expectations. Though it
can cause stress, it can also arise awareness for teens. As one might say “A wake up call.” Anthony Agu
‘18, who attends Columbia High School had several words to say about why he chose the path he is
going towards. “When I was younger, I noticed that I liked science more than the other subjects.
The only reason why I picked Med School was truly for the money. And I know that is not always a good
way of going when it comes to picking a career. I am trying to force myself to like it. It’s still interesting.
Actually it's the most interesting, but im waiting for myself to fall in love with it. This career that I chose is
most definitely more about the money. The only reason why I am saying it is more about the money is
because the way people describe how they love their career, I don’t think I can say that about myself
when it comes to this career. So that’s why I am gonna settle with that it's about the money.” Agu’s
outlook on his future is basically making money. Should teenagers expectations be based off of making
money or doing what they love?
Another thing Agu mentioned was, “in today’s world I think success is more about the money and how
much income you get, and how you can develop more money than others.” An older woman, Natasha
Telesford, who has graduated from Columbia High School in ‘95 also had similar things she said that
compared to Agu. “Society is making success a competition and it doesn’t have to be. Definitely I will
say it was a competition when I was in school trying to get my PhD and my MD. It took me more years
than I had planned. I was told I “couldnt”, “cant” and that was mostly because I was an African American
black woman. But I am proud to say that I was able to accomplish my goals that I’d set for myself after
high school. It doesn't matter how long it takes you to reach your goal because once you finally get there,
you will feel good. I am 41 and have a great paying job, and I love the work that I do. I wouldn’t advise
people to shoot for a job just for the money, because even though you will be getting paid, you won’t be
happy.”
much income you get, and how you can develop more money than others.” An older woman, Natasha
Telesford, who has graduated from Columbia High School in ‘95 also had similar things she said that
compared to Agu. “Society is making success a competition and it doesn’t have to be. Definitely I will
say it was a competition when I was in school trying to get my PhD and my MD. It took me more years
than I had planned. I was told I “couldnt”, “cant” and that was mostly because I was an African American
black woman. But I am proud to say that I was able to accomplish my goals that I’d set for myself after
high school. It doesn't matter how long it takes you to reach your goal because once you finally get there,
you will feel good. I am 41 and have a great paying job, and I love the work that I do. I wouldn’t advise
people to shoot for a job just for the money, because even though you will be getting paid, you won’t be
happy.”
To conclude, wherever you choose to go after high school should be what you want to do, not anybody
else. Also most students want to do something based off of making more money than doing something
they love. Statistics say that most people who choose money over love are more miserable.
else. Also most students want to do something based off of making more money than doing something
they love. Statistics say that most people who choose money over love are more miserable.
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