Overall Essay Winner Victoria Lapinson, Grade 8 Rosa International Middle School “Parents are the key when it comes to keeping kids off drugs. Good parenting is the best anti‐drug we have.” These are the words of Mel Carnahan, a former member of the US Senate and former Governor of Missouri. In today’s society, drug and alcohol addiction among minors is a growing predicament. Between peer‐pressure and the availability of drugs and alcohol in the United States, it is no wonder that this is a detriment to our communities. The media that is exposed to children and teens is littered with messages that praise and practically advertise addiction. This is seen endlessly in the television programs, new music, and worst of all: the social media. Building upon the quote previously stated, it is a parents or legal guardians responsibility to educate children about the dangers and gambling of mental health that comes with abusing drugs or alcohol. However, even with education, teens continue to make these terrible decisions. Why? The media is telling them to. Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, Twitter, and many more. This “social media craze” has never been seen before, and will likely become even more popular in the coming generations. Its impact on a young man or woman’s mind can completely advert their attention and change the way they perceive the world. Social interaction is drastically different in our society today because of the young generation being exposed to all of these social media formats. Additionally, the people and celebrities on social media are the individuals that children and teens look up to. These idols, celebrities, or Hollywood personalities are not always very respectable themselves. They advertise drugs and alcohol as part of a glamorous lifestyle. It is only right to predict that this would reflect on today’s youth. While it is true that parents have several, responsibilities already, the media that they allow their child to see is under their control, or at least it should be. Parents need to monitor their children’s exposure to social media and control what they allow a youth to take part in. America is in a place where a minor’s entertainment opportunities are limitless. It is no longer necessary to own a bicycle in our world. The hobbies and habits of a United State’s teen are growing less and less impressive. According to Common Sense Media, individuals between the ages of eight and twelve years old spend a combined average of nearly six hours a day on smart devices and computers. This almost completely diminishes the time to be spent with family or friends, not to mention sports, reading, or other beneficial activities. That decrease in activity can lead to several problems, including (but not limited to): depression, obesity, and addiction. The more time spent on social media, watching movies, and listening to new music, the more likely it is for a minor to think about experimenting with drugs and alcohol. To end this problem would be very difficult, but not impossible. The first step is to educate the parents about the dangers of today’ s popular media, and the deadly effects it could eventually inflict on their child. If this is done, limitations and boundaries can be created in regard to what minors are exposed to. Through this, a Drug Free America could be plausible in upcoming years. It is imperative that our society recognizes that today’s new family dynamic can cause time constraints regarding frequent, consistent, and quality parent/ child interaction, during which the child’s interests and activities are discussed. In this way, parents can become aware of the child’s exposure to drugs and other negative influences that are abundant in social media and other new media formats. This will assist parents in knowing when to redirect their child’s interests and activities toward more wholesome endeavors. Local, state, and national authorities should explore ways to protect minors from unsavory influences often found in social media and share their findings with parents, teachers, and medical personnel so that a positive influence can be established to support minors who could easily be lead astray. It is often said that it takes a village to raise a child. It also takes a village to support good parenting. Educational meetings, school programs, and various forms of news media are just a few of the ways to help parents pull their resources to support a healthy family life. Furthermore, mental and physical health resources should be available to minors as part of the school curriculum and at low or no cost in a community setting. Community liaisons with family support entities such as faith based initiatives, law enforcement expertise, and clubs and organizations designed for participation by young people can have a positive impact on the prevention of drug and alcohol abuse or addiction in minors. The words of Benjamin Franklin ring true when addressing this issue: “Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn.” For this reason, communities must pull together to support parents in raising happy, healthy, and responsible children. Education has proved to be the key first step in approaching this issue. It is all citizen’s duty to make a difference in making America drug free. This will ensure the best possible future for not only the country but its individuals.