Social Media has had both positive and negative effect on mental health and self esteem. People have been able to spread information about mental health and community awareness and gives voices to those who wouldn't have one without. It allows people to show off their talents and grow. however it also has many negative impacts like cyber bullying. Students on the internet constantly have to wary of internet trolls, people on the internet who have nothing better to do than attempt to hurt other people. there is FOMO, the fear of missing out, which can cause people to develop mental illness due to not being able to do what others can. There's unrealistic standards, where people post only the perfect lives and perfect everything which cause students to believe they are inferior by comparing themselves to the fictitious side of the internet. Finally there is addiction. Students spends an exorbitant amount of time on their phone and the internet, where they struggle to live lives outside of it and struggle to maintain In person relationships. During COVID people were forced to spend most of their time in their home which led to higher digital connections. However, studies have shown that for everyone, especially younger people, this has led to struggling with their real life interpersonal relationships. People are now more likely to flake on plans. Due to the amount of time students spends on their phone they are not developing social skills at an expected rate. These all lead to minors and students having a negative mental view on their body and mind, believing they are not qualified to be anything in life, that they do not deserve what they have and they do not belong. These can lead to many mental illnesses like depression, anxiety, suicidal thoughts. These are all very big issues that need to be addressed, but the question isn't should we, its how should we address these issues. Most experts consider one of the best ways is to put down the phone. by limiting internet time mental health issues related to the internet have been shown to improve. Another way is to cut out negative outlets. Go through your contacts and cut out those who make you feel bad about yourself. This would make social media a more positive outlet. Media websites themselves also need to make an effort to make the internet a safe place for students by not allowing the toxicity that some people exhume to be not allowed on their website.

I was typically in the background as a child, a shy kid who kept to myself for the most part. I only socialized really with my cousins, with whom I shared many wonderful memories. I was a Native American, and my heritage was one that was typically marked by economic hardship, a fact that shaped much of my life. My dad, through sheer grit and determination, was able to break the icy grip of poverty, leveraging the GI Bill as a launchpad to create a more prosperous future for our family. My dad encouraged me to dream big, but I had to fight my own doubts and fears. I grappled for many years with the belief that pursuing higher education might be out of my league. Joining the military to receive college funding was a choice that most in my community considered, but I knew deep down that it was not the path for me. I felt the weight on my shoulders, lost and afraid of my destiny. That was until I learned about my cousin, whose example led me to take a second look at my own capabilities. She finished with an excellent degree in accounting after getting a 30 on the ACT from a background that was in some ways similar to mine and maybe even worse. Her achievement was such a bright ray of hope that showed me a way I had never seriously thought of-one in which hard work and perseverance could result in triumph. . I began to challenge myself academically by taking Advanced Placement (AP) classes and studying for hours on end. The fruits of my labor were evident when I scored 32 on the ACT, an achievement that further motivated my ambition. I sought opportunities to further learn about the field of business. One such opportunity was a business camp at the University of Alabama, where I had the opportunity to be surrounded by individuals who shared my interest in business and entrepreneurship. This was an enlightening experience; it reaffirmed my desire to pursue the field and gave me enlightening information on how complicated business operations are. I also came to learn about a program called CORE through this camp, which sought to give attendees real-world information on business in real estate business. While going through my academic progress, I delved more deeply into the study of accounting. My belief in the relevance of this subject grew stronger by the day. It became more apparent to me that accounting does not revolve around figures only; it is the blood and life of any business, either small or big. Every organization needs talented people to manage their funds properly so that they can maintain stability and growth. I am more interested in charitable organizations, which need strict financial management owing to stringent regulation since they are exempt from taxation. I realized that my talent would be able to create a great impact by making those organizations thrive and, simultaneously, serve the good of society. In pursuing an accounting major, I am not just motivated by personal aspirations but also by the desire to assist others in my community, particularly those who, like me, come from the same backgrounds. With hard work, persistence, and the belief that education can be a powerful instrument for change, I am resolved to make a better life for myself and, hopefully, blaze a trail for others to follow. I know that with persistence and diligence, I can overcome challenges, just as my cousin was capable of doing, and I am excited to find out where this journey takes me.