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Social media impacts on young people

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EASTERN CAROLINA, NC (WITN) Most people today have some sort of social media account and they can certainly be helpful keeping us connected, but psychiatrists also say the amount of time on social media and technology can affect how young people develop and can take a toll on them mentally.

Leah Tuckmire, 7-years-old, says, “Um, I have Facebook messenger for kids. That’s like talking to friends and people that I know and my parents know.”

Tuckmire, who’s in the second grade, isn’t alone.

Dr. Pheston Shelton is a child psychiatrist and says, “About 50% of third and fifth graders have phones. It’s very common.”

So parents like Leah’s mom Kylene, who’s Executive Director for Parents for Public Schools of Pitt County, works to make sure her daughter, and other kids have limits.

Kylene says, “They are digital natives. They’ve grown up in a world where they’ve never not known technology so they need to be comfortable with it.”

But the issue extends beyond comfort says Dr. Shelton. “One of our concerns is over use of phones and the addictive nature of phones, it creates this always on type of culture.”

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Lauren Boucher is a digital and learning coach at ECU. She says, “I know as adults, when our phone dings that we got a text message or someone messaged us on Facebook or we’ve been tagged, our brains literally release dopamine. So when our kids are constantly connected on social media, they won’t sleep because they are waiting for the next ding. It’s almost like a drug addiction.”

According to a national survey by the American Psychological Association, there has been a rise in mental health issues over the last decade and it says digital media may be a reason why.

Dr. Shelton says, “Excessive or frequent social media use or phone use has been associated with decrease in happiness, increased reports of hopelessness in adolescents and young adults particularly undergraduate populations. There’s also been increased anxiety and decreased sleep in youth and young adults who report frequent media use. It definitely can affect their self confidence. Kids can’t get away from bullying, whether it’s social bullying or cyber bullying, they can’t leave it behind at school and come home, it continues to follow them.”

But time away from phones, TV’s and computers may help. A study in the Journal of Computers in Human Behavior says 6th graders who went five days without exposure to technology were a lot better at reading human emotions than kids who did not.

Dr: Shelton says it all starts at home. “Kids look to parents on how to behave so parents can set time and use limits around the house.”

And for parents like Kylene, it’s all about balance as kids grow up in a world of technology. She says, “Both of my kids have no more than six friends on their account, so I am pretty limited on who they are friends with.”

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Professionals said putting all phones and devices in one area of the home is a good way to set those limits.

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Snapchat Explores New Messaging Retention Feature: A Game-Changer or Risky Move?

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Snapchat Explores New Messaging Retention Feature: A Game-Changer or Risky Move?

In a recent announcement, Snapchat revealed a groundbreaking update that challenges its traditional design ethos. The platform is experimenting with an option that allows users to defy the 24-hour auto-delete rule, a feature synonymous with Snapchat’s ephemeral messaging model.

The proposed change aims to introduce a “Never delete” option in messaging retention settings, aligning Snapchat more closely with conventional messaging apps. While this move may blur Snapchat’s distinctive selling point, Snap appears convinced of its necessity.

According to Snap, the decision stems from user feedback and a commitment to innovation based on user needs. The company aims to provide greater flexibility and control over conversations, catering to the preferences of its community.

Currently undergoing trials in select markets, the new feature empowers users to adjust retention settings on a conversation-by-conversation basis. Flexibility remains paramount, with participants able to modify settings within chats and receive in-chat notifications to ensure transparency.

Snapchat underscores that the default auto-delete feature will persist, reinforcing its design philosophy centered on ephemerality. However, with the app gaining traction as a primary messaging platform, the option offers users a means to preserve longer chat histories.

The update marks a pivotal moment for Snapchat, renowned for its disappearing message premise, especially popular among younger demographics. Retaining this focus has been pivotal to Snapchat’s identity, but the shift suggests a broader strategy aimed at diversifying its user base.

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This strategy may appeal particularly to older demographics, potentially extending Snapchat’s relevance as users age. By emulating features of conventional messaging platforms, Snapchat seeks to enhance its appeal and broaden its reach.

Yet, the introduction of message retention poses questions about Snapchat’s uniqueness. While addressing user demands, the risk of diluting Snapchat’s distinctiveness looms large.

As Snapchat ventures into uncharted territory, the outcome of this experiment remains uncertain. Will message retention propel Snapchat to new heights, or will it compromise the platform’s uniqueness?

Only time will tell.

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Catering to specific audience boosts your business, says accountant turned coach

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Catering to specific audience boosts your business, says accountant turned coach

While it is tempting to try to appeal to a broad audience, the founder of alcohol-free coaching service Just the Tonic, Sandra Parker, believes the best thing you can do for your business is focus on your niche. Here’s how she did just that.

When running a business, reaching out to as many clients as possible can be tempting. But it also risks making your marketing “too generic,” warns Sandra Parker, the founder of Just The Tonic Coaching.

“From the very start of my business, I knew exactly who I could help and who I couldn’t,” Parker told My Biggest Lessons.

Parker struggled with alcohol dependence as a young professional. Today, her business targets high-achieving individuals who face challenges similar to those she had early in her career.

“I understand their frustrations, I understand their fears, and I understand their coping mechanisms and the stories they’re telling themselves,” Parker said. “Because of that, I’m able to market very effectively, to speak in a language that they understand, and am able to reach them.” 

“I believe that it’s really important that you know exactly who your customer or your client is, and you target them, and you resist the temptation to make your marketing too generic to try and reach everyone,” she explained.

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“If you speak specifically to your target clients, you will reach them, and I believe that’s the way that you’re going to be more successful.

Watch the video for more of Sandra Parker’s biggest lessons.

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Instagram Tests Live-Stream Games to Enhance Engagement

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Instagram Tests Live-Stream Games to Enhance Engagement

Instagram’s testing out some new options to help spice up your live-streams in the app, with some live broadcasters now able to select a game that they can play with viewers in-stream.

As you can see in these example screens, posted by Ahmed Ghanem, some creators now have the option to play either “This or That”, a question and answer prompt that you can share with your viewers, or “Trivia”, to generate more engagement within your IG live-streams.

That could be a simple way to spark more conversation and interaction, which could then lead into further engagement opportunities from your live audience.

Meta’s been exploring more ways to make live-streaming a bigger consideration for IG creators, with a view to live-streams potentially catching on with more users.

That includes the gradual expansion of its “Stars” live-stream donation program, giving more creators in more regions a means to accept donations from live-stream viewers, while back in December, Instagram also added some new options to make it easier to go live using third-party tools via desktop PCs.

Live streaming has been a major shift in China, where shopping live-streams, in particular, have led to massive opportunities for streaming platforms. They haven’t caught on in the same way in Western regions, but as TikTok and YouTube look to push live-stream adoption, there is still a chance that they will become a much bigger element in future.

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Which is why IG is also trying to stay in touch, and add more ways for its creators to engage via streams. Live-stream games is another element within this, which could make this a better community-building, and potentially sales-driving option.

We’ve asked Instagram for more information on this test, and we’ll update this post if/when we hear back.

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