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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

Webb students flock to social media to comment on Capitol raid

Webb+students+post+Instagram+stories+about+the+riots+at+the+Capitol.
Graphic courtesy of Narineh Madikians (‘23).
Webb students post Instagram stories about the riots at the Capitol.

Social media is a marvelous way for people to communicate, bond, and share content. Recently, it has become an outlet for people to share their beliefs and opinions, specifically on the current political climate. Platforms such as Instagram and Snapchat have boomed, as Webbies shared informational posts and their opinions on how the Capitol raid led by Trump supporters made them feel. 

“Social media was made for interaction and I feel it has created a gateway for people to speak out about the riots,” Gabby Diaz (‘23) said.  

On January 6th, 2021, many Webbies opened their phones and were met with floods of posts about the riots at the Capitol. Instagram, Twitter, Tiktok, Snapchat, and almost every social outlet were filled with opinions and information on the events. Yet social media users are biased and can provide people with misleading information. People tend to use social media as their sole news outlet, which can lead to false truths being spread widely across communities. 

“I think there is definitely way more harm than good done posting on social media,” Bill Zheng (‘21) said. “Social media algorithms forced us to fall into an echo chamber that shields us from all dissenting opinions, and as we increase our usage of social media, our attention span decreases, which is proven by multiple studies. I believe people should do their own research before sharing anything on social media platforms, and we should not take everything on social media for granted.” 

Because of these discrepancies, it is important to check multiple reliable news outlets that can give the perspective of both sides of a conversation. 

Social media is a part of how I gather news, but I also use other news sources,” Stratton Rebish (‘24) said. A perk of social media as a news source is the speed at which you can consume the news, but a disadvantage is that information is sometimes exaggerated or straight up false. To combat this, I watch the news or confirm the news with trustworthy social media accounts. 

On the other hand, social media users believe that the platform strengthens their voice, but, unfortunately, as people repost, retweet, and share, many of these posts can contain information that incites hate and violence. 

When people are given a platform such as Twitter to state their opinion, it can often times be met by likeminded individuals who further retweet and spread that persons idea,” Makysm Graham (‘23) said. As a result, this can lead to more exposure and a more powerful voice. The problem with this is that it also means people’s divisive ideas filled with hate are also amplified. 

Sometimes, engaging in difficult conversations over a comment section or a social media post is not the best idea. There are many thoughts people feel confident saying behind the screen that they would not say in-person. Instead of commenting hateful words, you should promote having reallife, productive conversations, which, in this time means Facetime or Zoom calls.  

My mom and dad and many other parents said the same thingif you can’t say it in front of the person or other people, then you need to zip it,” said Rick Duque, WSC Dean of Students. “I was always encouraged to have a face-to-face conversation and I still believe that it has always been the best way to go when it comes to cultivating relationships with a solid foundation. Nothing can ever replace face to face interactions. 

Censorship in the media has been a heated topic for discussion, especially with Donald Trump’s Twitter account being suspended. Many students discussed whether they believe this censorship was for the better or for the worse. 

“I believe people are under the misconception that the first amendment allows for any and all speech,” Maksym said. It does not. You are not allowed to incite violence with your speech. Donald Trump has done this over and over again. Furthermore, social media sites are allowed to establish their own set of rules. 

However, other Webb students disagreed with Twitter’s decision and advocated their voices through social media. 

“I believe Twitter is on the wrong side of this matter,” Bill said. “Twitter, as a place that holds public discussions, should only either moderate all content the same way or not moderate content posted at all.” 

Social media can help grow communities and spread positivity; however, it can also be a network for hate and negativity. When using social media, people should consider how their post could be beneficial and useful to others; this includes educating others, promoting unity, and being open for discussions. Before reposting or sharing information, students should use all resources available to assess whether the information is true and make sure that they contribute to their communities in positive ways. 

I can use it [social media] as a platform for my voice and express my opinions freely, regardless of any judgment,” Izzy Kim (‘24) said. It is also nice to see others advocate for the same things that I agree with because it helps me feel more confident about my values and beliefs when it comes to politics. I understand, however, that social media is also an area for people who encourage riots like this, which is not something that I will stand for. 

In the time of COVID-19, it is more difficult for Webb to hold meaningful discussions on prevalent topics. Now, students are more reliant on social media to share their opinions and connect with others. These social platforms are available to them all day and night whereas a Zoom call with faculty and other students is limited. Social media can bring a myriad of communities together and create a strong, positive voice; however, this can only be done when people are not so reliant on them. The riots at the Capitol emphasized that when behind a screen, people are prone to believe whatever their feed says to believe, which can in turn cause division and even violence.

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About the Contributors
Bianca Arteaga, Public Editor
Do you know many busy bees at Webb? If you don't, then maybe you haven't met Bianca Arteaga ('22)—a self-described bee, she is productive, cheerful, and hardworking. She is, like many productive people, a morning person, and very organized. So perhaps it is no surprise that she is taking on the added challenge of AP Spanish this year, in order to better help people internationally in the future. Bianca eventually wants to become a lawyer and help people worldwide, which she may need Spanish for. For now, Bianca wants to help people locally by using the WCC to teach freshmen and sophomores to love Webb as she does. Bianca's other passion is protecting the environment. Despite being a very busy and successful student, Bianca is also very skilled in the athletic department. She is the varsity softball captain and hopes to continue playing even once she goes to college. Besides her work, Bianca also has a fun side: she loves playing the guitar, is obsessed with Taylor Swift, enjoys watching romcoms, and loves dad jokes. Bianca's many interests, well-balanced lifestyle, and unwavering work ethic truly make her a queen bee! Favorite song: "All Too Well" by Taylor Swift
Narineh Madikians, Public Editor
Narineh Madikians (23) is coming back to Webb for her senior year as a completely new person. Along with her new position as the Webb Canyon Chronicle's new Public Editor, Narineh is also a head peer advisor and a member of the VWS varsity volleyball team. Even though her senior year is full of change, Narineh still loves humanities courses from past years such as Advanced Studies Creative Nonfiction. She encourages everyone at Webb to take this class as it has made a significant impact on her writing techniques. This year, she is focusing on the future while also trying to stay present at the moment, hoping to make as many lasting memories as she can before she leaves for college. After a long and busy week at school, Narineh uses her weekends to recharge. She loves to go out with her friends or stay at home and watch movies with her parents and three dogs: Jeckie, Dash, and Rex. At the end of the day, Narineh unwinds by listening to her favorite artists such as Mac Miller, Frank Ocean, and Childish Gambino. Narineh will use her new and old experiences throughout Webb, the WCC, and outside life, to make her senior year unforgettable.   Favorite Song: "Crimson and Clover" by Tommy James and The Shondells

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