OPINION: Touch weed this election season

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During election season, it is undeniably important to be informed and prepared when the election comes around. With technology, and especially social media, this task has become more convenient than ever.

However, social media also creates the possibility of spending too much time online and not enough time enjoying real life. I think it’s important right now for young adults to be aware and practice finding the balance of staying informed while staying in touch with reality.

The Pew Research Center found that as of August 2024, 86% of U.S. adults report using technology such as their phones and tablets at least sometimes to stay up to date on news. The data shows an increasing reliance on mobile technology for news instead of other methods such as television or radio.

Pews Opinion poll also found that 54% of U.S. adults say they use social media to find news at least sometimes. This includes websites and apps such as Instagram, X (formerly known as Twitter) and TikTok, with 39% of adults under 30 saying they get their news regularly from TikTok. These numbers have continued to rise, as 2020 results show.

These statistics show how much young adults rely on the Internet to provide information about what is happening in the world around them. While adults in the U.S. already spend a lot of time on technology, those numbers may be increased to stay on top of the news during the election.

Although “Touch grass” is a cross-generational slang often used to indicate to people that they are out of touch with real life. I think it hits home exactly what we all need to focus on.

There is such a thing as being over-informed, and with so many ways to get information, it can become overwhelming and difficult to distinguish between true and fake news.

From celebrities promoting their political biases to partisan political messages being shared on social media, it is becoming clear that some messages are being shared solely to cause conflict.

That’s why I implore everyone: put down the phone and give yourself a break from the internet – touch weed. If we want to stay accurately informed and able to form opinions on current events, we need to take time to reframe our thoughts without the influence of the constant voices on the internet.

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