Normalization of everything: misapplication of language creates confusion, ineffective activism

Allison Kim • November 2, 2021

In the past five years, “normalization,” as a word and idea, has gained currency throughout social media discourse, with people very quickly applying its use to facets of politics and activism. The term has since evolved to hold the influence it carries today as a mantra for issues calling for social reform. 

Clubs use social media platforms to leave lasting impacts

Shruti Gautam • December 30, 2020

Wvery school year, posts from student-run accounts flood Instagram, each representing a club or organization at RBHS. Social media is a way to connect with the world and share information about events, and RBHS clubs avidly take advantage of this method.

Web combats global isolation during pandemic

Anjali Noel Ramesh • December 28, 2020

In response to decreased face-to-face contact, the global population turned to various social networking platforms to communicate with each other, leading to a 10% increase in world-wide social media usage from January to July of this year, according to research institution DataReportal.

Play that pays the bills: Child social media stars subject to exploitation, harm

Allison Kim • December 14, 2020

As social media has become a more dominant source for social interaction, many parents are sharing content involving their children, launching their kids into internet stardom, and essentially exploiting them for money and fame.      

Day 36

Bailey Stover • April 22, 2020

During her 36th day of social distancing, senior Bailey Stover had a disturbing, sickening nightmare, baked cookies, played cards and celebrated Earth Day.

Day 26

Bailey Stover • April 12, 2020

During her 26th day of social distancing, senior Bailey Stover published a birthday video for her principal, watched Easter mass, napped and baked a pie.

Day 17

Snowy Li • April 3, 2020

Greeted by a loud “meow,” I woke up today at around 8 a.m. with my cat, Daisy, standing in front of my face as she begged for breakfast. Today is April 3, but I barely noticed the date as time seems to fly fast when there’s not too much to do while stuck at home. I keep thinking of different ways to contain my boredom as COVID-19 and the quarantine drag on.

on removing Instagram likes

Maddie Orr • November 21, 2019

The popular social media app Instagram recently removed like count from posts. Now, only the account owner can view their personal likes on each post.

Public embarrassment, humiliation detrimental to health, development

Bailey Stover • November 6, 2019

Through social media platforms such as Instagram, shame and embarrassment permeate adolescence and can negatively influence one's health and happiness.

Panic at the VSCO: yet another way to put down girls

Sarah Ding • October 11, 2019

If you listen closely in the jungle that is high school, you might hear the howls of screeching chairs pulled out from under desks, the teachers sighing as they grade their 50th assignment of the day or...

Social media increase accountability, responsibility

Katie Whaley • March 26, 2019

In the age of the internet, instances of inappropriate behaviors hindering reputations are almost instantaneous and can have serious consequences.

The good, the bad and the ugly

Bailey Stover • March 26, 2019

Although today’s adolescents grew up in the age of the internet, the era of social media is more recent than teenagers may realize. Social media cannot exist without widespread online communication, making the platform a late-20th and early-21st century phenomenon.