Nayeli Glaude downloaded her first social media app, Instagram, when she was in sixth grade. Five years later, she has 1,040 followers on Instagram with a post count of 34. She has been building her social media image by consistently posting her daily experiences, such as trips to different cities, a variety of concerts, and moments with friends. When posting, Glaude said she makes sure her post feed matches a minimalistic look and gives people a look at her favorite parts of her life. She said she finds social media to be a great place to interact with new people as well as her friends. 

Q: How does social media affect your style choices?

A: Social media affects all aspects of [all] our lives. For me, social media affects what I wear and how I wear it. Fashion trends are spread through the media, which is why I enjoy seeing so many fashion shows and celebrities all on my phone. I see what people are wearing and how I can change it a little to make it fit me. I mostly get fashion insp[iration] from Pinterest and watch fashion shows on Netflix or streaming services. I get insp[iration] from people like Emma Chamberlain, Kendall Jenner, and people who were on some of my favorite shows from the 90s and 2000s.

Q: Has social media changed your music taste? If so, how?

A: Just like fashion, my music taste is also enriched by the media. Because of social media, I have been able to discover so many new artists and music, therefore shifting what I listen to daily. Artists like Steve Lacy and Harry Styles are some of my favorite songwriters I have found through the media. 

Q: How do social media affect your mentality?

A: Social media can affect my mentality and how I think both positively and negatively. Sometimes social media can uplift me and encourage me in different ways, however, it can also make me self-conscious. I try and surround myself with the good parts about social media and not the bad so I don’t have to worry about me feeling bad about myself for no reason. 

Q: For you personally, is social media addictive? If so, how?

A: I would say that social media is addictive because you can tell yourself that you’ll only be on it for a couple of minutes and it ends up being a couple of hours. 

Q: What social media platform are you most active on? Why?

A: I would say I am most active on Snapchat just because that’s the main app where I get to talk to many of my friends and see what they’re doing.

Q: If you had the opportunity, is social media something you’d want to pursue as a career?

A: I would not want to pursue a career in social media just because I would like to go into the fashion industry instead. However, that may incorporate social media.

Q: Could you survive with our social media for a month? Why or why not?

A: I would like to say I could survive without social media for a month but honestly it has such a hold on my life that it would definitely be difficult. In the end, though, I believe it could truly benefit me and my mental health. 

Q: On average, how many hours a week do you spend on social media? Why do you think you spend so much/little time on social media? 

A: On average I spend about two hours on social media a day, so roughly 14 hours a week. It’s so crazy to see the numbers because that’s so much time I could be doing other things that could help my well-being more than just sitting on social media. Nevertheless, social media is addictive and I think that’s why it’s so hard to simply put the phone down. 

by ALEXIS DASHNYAM