Day 4 Writing Homework
Write a feature article on the impact of social media on local communities (400 words)
Slides: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/12VzdIwhM6k0f_VAeRyZN1YV99W3nYzuw?usp=sharing
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- Due Date : October 11, 2025
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5 thoughts on “Day 4 Writing Homework”
Social Media’s Silent Sabotage of Local Solidarity
The rise of social media has promised tighter-knit communities, yet alarming evidence paints a different picture—one where digital platforms erode the very fabric of local connection and trust. Recent research reveals that these networks often spark isolation, anxiety and fracture neighbourhood bonds, sounding alarm bells for everyone invested in community health. This article exposes the negative impact of social media on local communities, harnessing real studies and expert testimony—because the truth is more shocking than most realise.
Would you trust a neighbour whose words are filtered through an algorithm built to keep people addicted? While social media appears to strengthen connections, studies show it often leads to loneliness and low self-esteem—particularly among young Australians. According to Dr Hans Henri P. Kluge, Regional Director for WHO Europe, “We are seeing the consequences of this gap… unless governments, health authorities, teachers and parents recognise the root causes… to help adolescents turn the tide on potentially damaging social media use, which has been shown to lead to depression, bullying, anxiety and poor academic performance.” The logos in recent findings, such as a 2023 Cyberbullying Research Centre study, paints a dire picture: 55% of teenagers report experiencing cyberbullying, leading to lasting psychological harm in local communities. The pathos is clear—these platforms breed environments where exclusion thrives, not genuine togetherness.
How can trust flourish when every interaction is shadowed by digital deceit? Social media not only warps self-image but also undermines the trust that binds people together. Research on app impact, such as TikTok and Instagram, shows that negative effects on trust correlate with lowered relationship satisfaction—a direct hit to local social capital. This expert observation from couples’ therapists highlights the ethos behind the warnings: “Social media can challenge trust, impact emotional intimacy…” In communities, such breakdowns diminish mutual support networks, essential for crisis response and everyday wellbeing.
When bad behaviour goes viral, it doesn’t just stay online—it infects local streets and schools. Social media’s design encourages toxic behaviour—including narcissism, lies and stalking—thus normalising harmful values beyond screens. More than a third of young people report online bullying, with cases doubling in just one year. According to the ACC Blog, digital environments embolden actions people would never dare in person, pushing local boundaries and safety to the edge. As one mental health expert stated, “social media can be a breeding ground for bad behaviours,” reinforcing the destructive logos of modern digital culture.
Social media, once lauded as the glue for modern communities, now acts as a solvent—eroding local trust, mental health and solidarity at worrying rates. The evidence, expert voices and emotional stories converge: more screen time means less real connection, greater vulnerability, and rising dysfunction. If we want thriving, resilient neighbourhoods, we must face the chilling reality of social media’s silent sabotage—and reclaim the fabric of community before it unravels entirely.
Please see the attached PDF for the feedback.
D4-5DWRI-Charlie Tan
i spent a lot of time on the title, but it sounds kinda like an ai for some reason
A Digital prison or the key to life? HOW SOCIAL MEDIA REMODELS OUR BRAINS
Imagine our local communities with people only messaging but no one actually having face to face conversations even though we live close. Well that will happen to our communities soon all thanks to social media. Using social media has lots of benefits but it also has some disadvantages. Social media makes us have less face to face communication, but it has all the information possible on google and other websites and affects your eyes if staying on social media for too long.
Clearly, social media has affected our face to face communication heavily due to us texting instead of talking. A report from the AIHW shows that only 42% of young Australians are reported to be face to face interacting. This goes to show that social media is starting to weaken our communication. Thus social media affects our face to face conversations by making us less social.
Social media makes us antisocial but social media is also extremely helpful for us. Scientist Neil Traphagen has described social media its utility for finding and sharing information across platforms. Back then people had to borrow books to get information but now we have a library on our devices which is the web so this has made getting information more convenient for us. Therefore, social media is definitely helpful for us because it provides us with excellent information.
Social media helps and harms us in many different ways but social media can harm our eyes if we are on it for too long. Studies show that excessive screen time can lead to many symptoms including DES, headaches, dry eyes and many more. Excessive screen time can also lead to permanent eye damage such as blindness or you having to get glasses. This could ruin your life because not being able to see is really hard to live with and your eyes are an extremely vital sensory organ and without them functioning your life would be miserable. Hence, you should not stay on social media for too long or else it will damage your eyes.
Conclusively, social media makes us have less face to face communication, has tons of information but it can damage your eyes if using it for too long. Social media is essential for life but the key to using social media properly is balance. If you do balance social media and the real world you can have real face to face conversations.
402 words excluding title
Please see the attached PDF for the feedback.
D4-BT