By Yuki（田忆铭）from 2402

Dear teachers and fellow students,

Good morning!

Social media has woven itself into the fabric of our daily lives. We use it to connect with friends, follow world events, and unwind. But it's a double-edged sword—it can be a powerful aid for learning, yet also a major distraction, pulling us away from our goals. Today, I'd like to share my personal experience with this very dilemma.

Firstly, social media has proven far more useful for learning than I ever imagined. This was especially true during my summer research workshop on environmental economics. My paper was titled A Study on the Characteristics, Development Challenges, and Financial Mechanism Design of Blue Carbon in the United States. Initially, I was completely stuck—my textbooks offered little reference material, and I had no idea how to outline the development challenges or design a sound financial framework. Just when I felt lost, my tutor mentioned that the professor overseeing this topic was open to communicating with students via WeChat. Nervous but hopeful, I sent him a message explaining my confusion and asking for guidance on research direction and structure. To my surprise, he replied patiently the next day. He analyzed the unique characteristics of U.S. blue carbon ecosystems, listed key challenges like policy gaps and high measurement costs, and even shared some of his unpublished preliminary research on blue carbon financing mechanisms. Through these WeChat exchanges, I gained specialized knowledge not found in public articles. With his guidance, I clarified my ideas and completed the paper. Social media wasn't just a communication channel; it became a bridge to professional academic resources.

But let's be honest—social media is also a significant source of distraction. Many of us find ourselves addicted to short videos, spending hours mindlessly scrolling each day. This kind of endless browsing not only consumes valuable study time but also fragments our attention and impairs memory. We may struggle to focus on a single task or retain what we've just learned.

So, if social media is both a powerful tool and a potential trap, how do we navigate it? The key is balance. Here are two practical tips: First, activate "Do Not Disturb" and keep your phone away from your study space when focusing. Second, set a strict time limit—say, 15 minutes—for research-related social media use, and log off immediately once time is up. Sticking to these rules isn't easy, but with small, consistent steps, we can make social media work for us, not against us.

Dear friends, social media is neither inherently good nor bad. It's a tool, much like a notebook or a calculator. It can connect us with experts worldwide, simplify complex concepts, and foster collaboration. Yet, it can also steal our time, fuel anxiety, and divert us from what's important. As high school students balancing academics, interests, and friendships, we should ensure social media supports that balance rather than disrupts it.

After all, our high school years are fleeting. Let's ensure that social media enhances, rather than detracts from, what truly matters—learning, growing, and creating lasting memories. Let's make it a tool that propels us toward our goals, not a distraction that holds us back.

Thanks for your listening!