Before the election results came out, we interviewed eight La Jolla Country Day seniors about how the upcoming election was impacting their college decisions and mental health. This election has been one of the most controversial in recent times, with the country extremely divided. All interviews were recorded before the election results were announced so that we could understand the student’s unique perspectives before the election decision.
While we were originally looking into the effect of the election on college decisions, we found an even stronger correlation: the election and mental health. Many seniors shared that they avoided looking at the news to protect themselves and remain focused in school. Zoe said, “I choose not to look at what’s happening on the news so that it doesn’t ruin my day. I know it’s pretty bad, but I’m trying not to let it affect me that much, in full honesty.” Her explanation illustrated what many seniors are putting into practice this election season: protecting their mental health. The uncertainty of the upcoming election calls for students to find different methods of avoiding the news.
Another student, Jojo, had a slightly different take. Jojo had found that while the election worried her, she preferred to remain educated and know what was going on. Jojo said, “It’s [the election] giving me a lot more notifications on, like, the New York Times app, and I am definitely getting a lot of information, which I guess makes me feel more educated but also worried about some of the issues.” Jojo explained what many teens were finding overwhelming with this upcoming election: unfettered access to information. The growth of social media has increased the amount of information being fed to teenagers and puts a lot on the plate of many kids. Even when kids try to avoid the news, it is impossible to avoid it when it is constantly on a screen in front of you. However, Jojo has an interesting idea. Looking at this influx of information in a positive way, as a way to stay educated, can help her remove fears about the election.
During this election cycle, both presidential candidates posted heavily on various social media platforms, including TikTok, Instagram, and X (formerly Twitter), and both amassed considerable followings on the apps. A recent UCLA study said that, “Young adults are increasingly getting news from TikTok, reporting social media as the most authentic form of media.” Perhaps due to this increased presence on social media spaces where teenagers feel comfortable, our seniors were left feeling more disillusioned with this election. Another senior, Bella, went as far as to delete all of her social media and said, “It’s like everywhere you go it’s right there.”
These seniors’ testimonies on the struggles associated with the news and social media show us how the increasingly controversial politics of this day and age have a negative effect on many people. As we have learned, there is no real way to avoid the news, and it is making this fall challenging for teenagers. With the election and college decisions on the horizon, hopefully, seniors will get a break soon.
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