Eleanor Bogart-Stuart, staff writer
Celine Rezvani, staff writer
Marty Schnapp, staff writer
Karen Shilyan, business manager
Ben Shofet, staff writer
Hunching over square metallic tablets, many of the students at Beverly have only one thing on their mind during nutrition and passing periods: social media. During passing periods, students are not doing what’s custom and stopping to socialize with their peers. Thanks to the shortened periods and the easy accessibility of social media apps, they are socializing with their smartphones.
Two years ago, the passing periods peaked at 10 minutes. Last year, they dropped down to nine. Fitting with the pattern, this year they are eight. This lack of time in between classes is forcing students to check the posts and pictures that they have been missing. Status updating, surfing the web and sending messages are now the main priority of students. Instead of spending the time they have socializing with their friends, they won’t even look up from their phones to say hello. Senior Michael Nassirzadeh feels the shortened passing periods not only affect his ability to socialize with friends, but also his ability to get to class on time.
“By the time I get out of one class and go to my locker, I feel like I’m already late,” Nassirzadeh said. 
According to the Pew Research Center, Instagram, Facebook and Twitter are three of the most frequented social media platforms by students. 78 percent of teens between the ages 12-17 own a cell phone, and 47 percent of them own smartphones containing easy access to the internet. As the world advances into new realms of technology and social media, teens and youth exhibit the direct effects this progression has on free time. Some students fear being disconnected from the social media world, and as a result spend free time getting up to date on the latest news. Senior Stephanie Bochner habitually checks her media feeds in between classes.
“When I don’t check my Twitter for a long time, it’s like I’m missing out on something,” Bochner said. “I always want to know what’s going on with my friends.”
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