The Student News Site of The Webb Schools

Webb Canyon Chronicle
The Student News Site of The Webb Schools

Webb Canyon Chronicle
The Student News Site of The Webb Schools

Webb Canyon Chronicle
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How to embrace social media and content creation

Lily Youngstrom
May 4, 2025
In today’s digital age, highschoolers get the opportunity to explore the different ways that social media can be used. Students at Webb have found ways to enjoy the content creation experience. “In terms of boarding school content, I like making long form content because people can binge watch it when they are doing chores or getting ready in the morning,” Jayden Aleman (‘26) said. “But, if I ever want to hit a quick dance, then I would steer to short form content.” Instead of shying away from major platforms students like Jayden have built the courage to create uplifting content.

Social media and digital footprints are strong areas of debate in the current world, considering the emphasis and fear on cancel culture. However, social media is becoming a large networking tool, a space to make connections and even for pursuing a career.  

Influencers and digital fame have been a relatively common source of side jobs for many content creators, but can high school students at Webb also bite into this world? 

Most of the Webb community engages with apps such as Instagram and TikTok, spending a few hours a week scrolling and staying aware of a large social climate.  

Social media is a constant display of success in people’s lives, creating an atmosphere that does not normalize the reality of life. Constantly consuming this type of content promotes a standard of social perfection, ultimately leading to stress and pressure on teenagers. 

For many teenagers, this effect can also transfer to their self-worth and physical confidence. Unrealistic beauty standards and lifestyle can create anxiety and various insecurities.  

Even though the concept of spending time “doom scrolling” is often frowned upon, there is also value in staying aware of the larger community and even being an active member within these spaces.  

Jayen Aleman (‘26) has fully emerged herself in the content creating life, filming and editing videos that detail her day-to-day adventures and encouraging a balanced lifestyle.  

Jayden creates both short-form content on TikTok and YouTube Reels, while also creating longer videos that dive more deeply into her life at boarding school. 

“ I always wanted to start a YouTube channel ever since I was really young,” Jayden said. “I would always talk to myself in the mirror and act as if there were people watching me and I always knew that I was going to make a YouTube channel, I just didn’t know when.” 

“When I came to boarding school, I realized that there are only a handful of boarding school influencers and creators, but they aren’t consistent and don’t show a lot of personality,” Jayden said. “I wanted people who are interested in boarding school to see the experience without having to travel.” 

Another student who has struck internet fame is Emily Thorton (‘25), gaining over 34,000 followers on TikTok, and even having offers from brands for promotion. She has immersed herself in the digital artform, posting everything from outfit checks to hair tutorials. 

“The biggest thing that I get inspiration from is other creators who I see on the app,” Emily said. “I see a lot of other people’s videos and my feed is in line with the content that I enjoy making like vlogging and outfit checks” 

Although posting this content on public platforms can strike worry about digital footprints, Jayden and Emily are willing to take the risk to provide enjoyment and entertainment to viewers everywhere. 

“I started posting because it was fun. It was a sort of escape and break, and I started filming when I was taking breaks from homework and things like that,” Emily said. “I have always been the kind of person that has no problem posting on my socials.” 

Although some teenagers may struggle to post themselves without insecurity, Emily believes that being yourself is what truly matters.  

“They are my socials, I want to post, and I think it’s fun. I have never really found it awkward or been upset if my video does not perform well,” Emily said. “There have definitely been times when the more I was on social media the more I would intertwine that with my identity, but it has also always been a fun thing to post on.” 

Social media platforms can help people understand and learn more about themselves as they realize what they are willing to share with the public. Creators can also learn a lot about what morals and ideals they think truly resonate with them while making content.  

“I try to encourage my viewers to be themselves and be okay with being yourself and not being afraid of showcasing yourself to others,” Jayden said. “I also want to show young Hispanic and Latina girls that they too can go to boarding school and be successful in private education.” 

Although social media has gotten the trademark of being a bad influence and unnecessary, there are ways to interact with platforms in a positive way. Rather you are creating a video, or simply posting a few words, there is always a way to have a positive message.  

 

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About the Contributor
Lily Youngstrom
Lily Youngstrom, Staff Writer
Lily Youngstrom (’27) is an avid Varsity swimmer and water polo player. She loves all aspects of the sport — the calm relaxation of each stroke, the intensity of high-stakes water polo games, and the precision required in competitive swimming. She embraces challenges: Lily’s favorite stroke is the butterfly, often considered the hardest of the four. She continues to channel this mindset beyond the pool as an incoming Chapel Council member, aiming to make Sunday chapel more engaging even as a day student. She also serves as an admissions ambassador, eager to share Webb with prospective families. When she’s out of the pool, Lily can be found drowning herself in her love for reading and writing, indulging in book after book during school breaks and writing her own short stories. This year, Lily aims to dive deeper in writing through work in American Idea and finding her voice by writing for the Webb Canyon Chronicle. Lily will continue to make waves as she approaches this year with grace and determination, always ready for the next lap.  Favorite Song: Gypsy by Fleetwood Mac