It goes without question that our generation is corrupt. In a research survey, psychologist Jean Twenge has labeled the current generation of young people the “iGeneration,” or “Generation Me”. From calling your significant other “daddy” to being commended for your “savage” ways on social media, teens have scorn the concept of loyalty, respect and ultimately genuineness as “old school ways.”

It’s tweets like “Twitter has taught me more about respect, gay rights, equality, poverty, feminism and many more important topics than school ever did.” That makes me realize that people out in this world base their lives solely off of social media. While Twitter does inform the public on news related issues and Miss Universe “mis-crowned” drama, it humorously injects the idea of calling your boyfriend “daddy.” Now, while many others, I included, laugh at this idea and at the posts Twitter showcases, many other people, especially the younger/middle school demographic, think that it’s the new cool thing. Next thing you know “babe” will be discounted as old school and “daddy” will become the new name of endearment. Sophomore Kenzie Smith shared, “I first saw ‘daddy’ on Twitter used as girls’ selfie captions and on popular accounts. When I hear a girl call her boyfriend ‘daddy’ I cringe. I can’t even think about doing that without laughing but some girls are so serious and it’s scary.” On the other hand, senior Chris Boffeli said that he doesn’t have a girlfriend and somehow gets called daddy. He’s so use to hearing the nickname that he sometimes questions if he has kids or if he’s forming a dad bod. Even though he does not share a certain preference, since he’s gotten use to responding, he believes it should stay behind close doors and that society needs to stop trying to sexualize every little thing.

We grow up in a society where relationships or even loyalty are considered “old school ways,” and “Netflix and Chill” is the ideal date. This society teaches teens to do stuff for immediate gratification. The after effects of cheating can seriously hurt teens that do not have strong self-esteem. But what’s even worse is that our “Generation Me” takes over and blames one’s mistakes on alcohol instead of taking ownership of one’s actions. Twitter has taught us that relationships are “too much work” and portray a persona of ultimately “being trapped” or suffocated by commitment.

Even though we laugh at the ridiculous tweets and comment how “we want to delete our social media,” we never do because “FOMO”, fear of missing out, a pervasive apprehension that others might be having rewarding experiences from which one is absent. This social angst is characterized by a desire to stay continually connected with what others are doing. While social media is influential on today’s generation, don’t let it define you.