GROUP PROJECT INTRODUCTION One thing that people of all ages can agree on these days is how much social media use has taken over our lives. With only one thumb click, you can access a vast array of content. It is not unusual for people of all ages to utilize social media extensively. Social media could improve our lives, but there isn’t any established training on how to use it responsibly. As a user with parents who didn’t grow up with social media, being fully exposed to the media was not uncommon. To ensure the next generation navigates social media safely and with enjoyment, there are numerous aspects of its use and associated initiatives that could be enhanced. It may be anything as simple as how a teen’s Instagram posting and usage are related to mental health concerns, and how social media affects someone’s life overall. The usage of social media can be very broad with many different consequences, and there could be many ways to improve the way we use it. To find solutions to the problems of social media usage, we have jotted down problems that should be acknowledged. First, the rapid growth of social media usage across age groups has sparked concerns about its effects on well-being, privacy, and societal dynamics. Another, the situation is assessed, and the precise causes of the problem are stated. It’s not just about addiction or distraction; it encompasses issues such as cyberbullying, the spread of misinformation, and the erosion of human connections. Understanding and analyzing the impact of media is crucial, for grasping its complexities and finding solutions. ⁤⁤One of the concerns revolves around how pervasive social media platforms have become in our lives coupled with a lack of clear ethical guidelines. The question: “Is social media harmful? How can we make it better?” With this question emphasized, it is time to begin developing answers to the problem. However, before delving into solutions, a set of criteria must be established. To fix these challenges, measures need to be taken. Given that social media is a prevalent tool in today’s generation, it is crucial to include refining educational programs, implementing clearer guidelines for responsible usage, and developing tools to mitigate potential risks and negative impacts. Following a thorough brainstorming session targeted at addressing the problem, the next phase in the problem-solving process is to evaluate these solutions using the set criteria. This evaluation enables the discovery of solutions that most effectively meet the established requirements. The ideal option is picked based on this refined selection. The final stage of this procedure is the execution of the chosen solution. This entails creating a complete proposal outlining the implementation strategy, which is then offered to educators, parents, and guardians for consideration. DEFINITION AND ANALYSIS OF THE PROBLEM The widespread and unregulated use of media platforms presents challenges, for both individuals well being and societal interactions. With popular platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter dominating interactions, concerns arise about the negative effects of excessive social media usage. This raises the question; What steps can we take to enhance the quality of social media engagement and reduce its negative impacts? One common issue associated with using media is its potential to trigger feelings of inadequacy and comparison among users. The constant flow of curated content often sets standards and prompts self-comparisons leading to lower self-esteem and mental health concerns. Additionally, the addictive features integrated into media platforms encourage prolonged usage habits resulting in reduced productivity and increased isolation from real-life interactions. The ending scrolling and dopamine-driven feedback loops create a cycle of dependency that proves difficult to break out of. Moreover, the issue is worsened by the absence of guidance on using media ethically. Many users, particularly younger generations, may lack the skills required to securely and successfully navigate the digital world. As the problem and its underlying causes become more evident, it is critical to define a set of criteria to guide the development of prospective solutions. These criteria should prioritize supporting positive mental health outcomes, cultivating educated digital citizenship, and protecting against the harmful effects of excessive social media use. ESTABLISHING THE CRITERIA To create changes, the problems must be addressed and measures should be implemented to meet the standards. Establishing the criteria is critical to creating a structured decision process. Keeping the process organized will refine the quality and efficiency of the desired result. Key areas of improvement would be privacy and security, moderation of content, and the user experience. Privacy is the right to control how the information is viewed and used, whereas security is the protection against dangerous threats. Privacy and security BRAINSTORM POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS Too much screen time and social media can lead teenagers to feel insecure due to comparing themselves to unrealistic standards online. Possible solutions to this issue could be the promotion of positive and healthy content. Teenagers would be exposed more to self-accepting body positivity and healthy mindset content. Social media platforms will be able to expand topics of mindfulness practices to encourage users to beneficially connect with others positively and effectively. You do this one EVALUATION OF POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS from above. BEST THREE OPTIONS SELECTED AND EVALUATED