The Social Dilemma

 

Last week in class, we watched the documentary The Social Dilemma. I am not usually a fan of documentaries because they can feel slow, but this one kept my attention the entire time.

The film begins by explaining how social media has evolved and how it became such a major part of daily life. It features interviews with former employees from major tech companies such as Microsoft, Google, Meta, Instagram and Pinterest. Many of these individuals share a similar perspective: while social media can be powerful, it can also be dangerous if not managed responsibly.

One of the most impactful parts of the film highlights the negative effects social media can have, especially on younger users. The documentary references data showing increases in issues like self-harm and mental health struggles. It also emphasizes how easily children and teens can access social media and how that exposure can shape their behavior and identity. That idea was especially concerning because it shows how much influence these platforms can have on everyday life.

The part of the documentary that stood out most to me was the scene where three individuals simulated a control room that managed a teenager’s social media feed. They tested how different notifications and messages affected his behavior and engagement. It was interesting to see how quickly the system adapted to keep his attention. This example made it clear how algorithms are designed to keep users engaged, regardless of their mood or mindset.

Overall, I found this documentary to be eye-opening. It made me more aware of how much time I spend on my phone and how social media can influence my thoughts and habits. Moving forward, I want to be more mindful of my screen time and limit unnecessary use so I can stay focused on what is happening in the present. 

Black vs. Orange

Last weekend, our soccer team wrapped up spring practices with our competition in Findlay on April 19. The NCAA allows Division III teams to have 180 minutes of game time and only one day of competition during the spring. To meet this requirement, we played two 90-minute games in the same day. As most people know, soccer is physically demanding, with the average collegiate player running between five and seven miles per game. Playing back-to-back matches made it even more challenging for our team.

Although I could not play due to my injury, I was still able to support my teammates from the sidelines. The first game was fairly quiet, ending in a 0-0 draw at halftime and remaining scoreless through the final whistle. We created a few solid scoring opportunities in the second half but were unable to finish.

Immediately after, we faced University of Northwestern Ohio soccer team in the second game. With our bodies already warmed up, we started with more energy. Once again, the match was scoreless at halftime. Late in the game, we capitalized on a restart opportunity and scored to secure a 1-0 win. Afterward, we went to Raising Cane's for lunch and took some time to recover before preparing for our upcoming intersquad scrimmage.

On Wednesday, we kicked off our annual intersquad series, Black vs. Orange. Each year, the seniors draft teams, and the competition is played as a best-of-three series. The first game was competitive and exciting. Team Orange played with 10 players due to an injury, creating an 11 vs. 10 situation on the field. Despite this, Orange managed to stay even at halftime with a 1-1 score. In the second half, a costly mistake by Black allowed Orange to take control and win the game 3-2.

Game two takes place Thursday, and Black will look to respond and even the series.

Overall, this past week of wrapping up our spring season has been a great experience. It has been especially rewarding to see the underclassmen grow more comfortable in game situations and improve throughout their collegiate careers.

YouTube

YouTube has experienced a significant rise in popularity since it was founded in 2005. Over the past 15 years, it has become the second most-used social media platform. This success is no accident. On average, users spend about 27 hours per month on the app, with daily usage averaging 53 minutes.

YouTube’s structure is highly effective. The platform allows users to create and share their own user-generated content, giving anyone the opportunity to reach a wide audience. Features such as subscriptions allow users to stay updated on their favorite channels and never miss new content. This combination of accessibility and personalization has played a major role in the platform’s growth.

Most of YouTube’s revenue comes from advertisements that run before and during videos. Its algorithm is driven by three main factors: personalization, performance and external signals. These elements shape the recommended video section that users see. In addition, YouTube offers several content categories, including Suggested Videos, Subscriptions, Trending and a search function, all of which help users discover new content.

In recent years, YouTube has expanded beyond its core platform by introducing subscription-based services such as YouTube Music, YouTube TV and YouTube Shorts. The platform also incorporates features similar to other social media sites, including descriptions and tags, which help improve search visibility and overall content performance.

Overall, YouTube has a strong future ahead. Its continued expansion into new products and services, combined with its high user engagement, positions it for long-term success. It also serves as a valuable platform for influencers to showcase a more personal side and connect with their audiences. As a result, YouTube will likely remain a key player in the social media landscape for years to come.

Sunday in Columbus

This past Sunday, eight of my teammates and I had the opportunity to work at a Columbus Crew game as part of a fundraising effort for our soccer program. While we are fortunate to be one of the better-funded teams on campus, we still participate in fundraising so we do not have to pay out of pocket during our season. The money we raise typically goes toward new training equipment, jerseys, apparel, food and travel.

Sunday marked one of the three Columbus Crew games our team is working this spring. The Crew faced Orlando City SC, who entered the match with a 1-0-5 record, while the Crew held a 1-2-3 record. Although it was not a marquee matchup, we were still excited to be part of the experience.

We left Ada at 2:45 p.m. and arrived in Columbus around 4:30 p.m. The Crew staff asked us to be at the stadium by 4:45 so we could learn our roles. When we arrived, the stadium was still empty, and we were among the first people inside. Staff members took us underneath the stadium near field level so we could change into our uniforms. Being in the VIP section was a unique experience, especially knowing that access is usually limited to select guests.

After getting changed, we met our supervisor for the night, Joe, who walked us through our responsibilities. Our main job was to verify fans’ tickets and help guide them to their seats. Once the game began, things picked up quickly. Many fans needed help finding their sections, and I enjoyed being able to assist and interact with them throughout the game.

After the final whistle, we returned our uniforms and regrouped before heading back to Ada. It was a long day, but it was rewarding to contribute to our team’s fundraising efforts while also spending time with some of my closest friends.

TikTok

TikTok is one of the most popular social media platforms today. It was founded in 2016 in China, where it was originally known as Douyin. In its first year, the app saw rapid success, reaching 100 million users. This early growth set the stage for TikTok’s continued expansion over the past decade. As of 2025, the platform has approximately 1.59 billion active users.

Currently, TikTok ranks as the fifth most-used social media platform. Its largest audience falls within the 25 to 34 age group, and a majority of users are male. Because TikTok is built around short-form video content, users tend to spend significant time on the app. On average, users spend nearly 35 hours per month on the platform, making it one of the most engaging social media apps.

Despite its success, TikTok has faced some challenges. In 2025, the platform encountered a potential ban due to data security concerns related to its Chinese ownership. There have also been concerns about graphic or inappropriate content and the platform’s ability to effectively moderate what is posted. Although TikTok is not intended for children under 13, there are limited safeguards preventing younger users from accessing the app.

Even with these concerns, TikTok remains a dominant force in social media and continues to shape the future of digital content. From a business perspective, it is an especially valuable platform. Its high levels of user engagement and time spent on the app make it attractive for advertising and reaching targeted audiences. While the primary user base is in the mid-20s to 30s, the platform still reaches a wide range of age groups, including younger users.

Overall, TikTok is a powerful and influential platform. Its growth, engagement and reach position it as a leader in the social media landscape for years to come.

Easter Weekend Recap

On Friday, my dad and I went golfing at our country club. We spent most of the afternoon on the course and were able to play nine holes. It was my first time playing since my back injury in November, so I was especially glad to be back out there. Normally, we keep score and try to be competitive, but since it had been a while for both of us, we decided to skip the scorecard and just enjoy the round.

I was grateful for the chance to spend quality one on one time with my dad. Since I live two states away and am a full time student athlete, I do not get many opportunities to visit home, let alone spend meaningful time together. Some of the most valuable lessons I have learned have come from time spent with him on the golf course, so being back out there brought back a lot of great memories.

For the rest of the weekend, I spent time at home with our three dogs. When I am away at school, I find myself missing them quite a bit. Recently, my family got a puppy, so I was especially excited to see him. When I saw him this weekend, he had already grown to 25 pounds. The last time I saw him, he was only 10 pounds, so it was a big difference. Even so, he still recognized me and played with me all weekend.

On Easter Sunday, I was able to have breakfast with my entire family, including my mom, dad, brother and sister. They arrived home from Florida late Saturday night, so it was nice to all be together. We ended the weekend by going to a Chicago Bulls game, where they played the Phoenix Suns. I enjoyed the game even more because I am a Suns fan.

After the game, I drove back to school with one of my teammates. Overall, I was very grateful for Easter weekend because it gave me the chance to relax, recharge and spend meaningful time with my family.

Pinterest

Pinterest was founded in 2009 by a group of entrepreneurs who wanted to create a social media network where users could share interests and connect through hobbies. According to Chapter 8, Pinterest is a “pinboard-style” platform. The concept is simple: users create boards and pin images that reflect their interests, keeping everything organized and easy to access.

Today, Pinterest is used primarily by women, who make up about 70% of its user base. Its largest age demographic is 18 to 24 year olds. The platform has grown steadily and now ranks around 13th among the most popular social media platforms, and it continues to trend upward. While users may not spend as much time on the app each month compared with other platforms, Pinterest remains successful because of strong user engagement and conversion rates.

Although male users are in the minority, I am part of the 30% who use the app. My personal experience with Pinterest has been very positive. There are few issues with content or controversy, which makes it a more relaxed and enjoyable platform. It is a great space to explore and express personal interests. My boards include nature, cars, fashion, outfits, recipes and architecture, which reflect the types of content I enjoy most.

Looking ahead, I think Pinterest has strong potential and should not be overlooked. It offers a different experience compared with other social media platforms by allowing users to be both creative and productive. In addition, the ability to make in app purchases based on personalized ads strengthens the platform’s effectiveness. Its algorithm is designed to match users with content that aligns with their interests, which positions Pinterest for continued growth.

Where do you think Pinterest will be in a few years?

Social Media Workshop

Last Friday, for Dr. Aggie’s Principles of Social Media class, I attended the school’s social media workshop. There was a $20 registration fee, but overall, I think it was worth my time. When I first arrived, I honestly thought it might be a waste of time. However, after the keynote speaker, Caroline Schumaker from Give Kids the World, I felt more motivated to learn from the remaining sessions.

My favorite part of the day was the first session I attended, led by Vince Tornero from Wessler Media. He is also the author of the book Reel Talk. Vince spoke about how social media can be fun and unconventional, especially when working with small business owners to create engaging or viral content. His energy and humor stood out right away. He exaggerated his words and jokes in a way that kept the audience entertained, and it reminded me of the comedic style of Jim Carrey.

Vince also walked us through his creative process for producing short-form videos, whether for his personal page or for a business. He showed several examples of reels he created and explained why some performed well while others did not. I found this especially interesting because it highlighted how audience perception plays a major role in the success of social media content and how a single video can impact a small business.

Another impactful session featured Adam Daley, who spoke about his work in the health care diagnostic public relations industry. His presentation was more serious and meaningful, especially when he discussed working with children and families affected by rare diseases. He explained how his agency helps raise awareness and connect families facing similar challenges. I found this perspective especially powerful and important.

Overall, I thought the workshop was a valuable experience. Although it was a long day, I was able to gain useful knowledge and insights that I can apply in the future.