Social media is quite an interesting thing. There is no doubt that the introduction of the media via television and new social networking avenues have radical changed human interactions. In the being, people were buzzing about the resources the internet could provide to make the world better place. However, today many people wonder weather or not the technologies of the 21rst century are actually as beneficial as once prospected to be.
Everywhere you look nowadays you will see at least one person with a cell phone in hand communicating with someone else not physically there. The internet has been great for families whom live apart, as it makes it much easier to stay connected, being able to call or facetime them whenever you want. IT also has allowed us to have instant access to an infinite amount of information at anytime we want. Additionally, this new technologies have aided in preserving the environment as now storing personal documentation such as photos, letters and videos eliminates the usage trees that would have other wise been used as paper.
Unfortunately, as great as this may sound, I am not convinced it is just as it appears. Although media may aid in getting stuff done more easily, that doesn’t mean it aids in making people better. Today many studies show that there is a multitude of negative effects that have resulted from the prevalence of media and the Internet. One study by Kessler et al. showed that in fact children are not learning the same processing skills as prior generations.[i] They are more reliant on spell check for spelling and a calculator for calculating that exercising their own brain. Plus, with the media constantly giving their two cents on every situation publicized, they are robbing young people of the ability to think for themselves. Additionally young adults tend to feel more isolated and alone, leading to higher rates of depression and anxiety, as they don’t know physically spend as much time as they may have in the past to uphold their relationships. Furthermore, (1 human+1 Human= another human) (1 human+ a computer= 1 human and their computer.) If we lose our ability to interact physically, we are unable to reproduce as it requires a face to face relationship. And Lastly studies show that people ar more violent and aggressive as a result of the constantly viewed violence in the media and on the tv.
Personally, I feel there are much greater issue social media poses. Everyone knows it is much easier to hide behind a computer screen than to deal with something face to face. However, face to face interactions are a necessary life skill that is only learned through ”getting out of one’s comfort zone.” If people today don’t have to go through the nerve racking experience of asking someone out for the first time, or giving their first two week notice, then they will be less socially equipped later on down the road. Ultimately the point I’m making is that, although technology when used appropriately is helpful, it can be very damaging if used as a crutch by someone who is “developing” and/or when “abuse” occurs. Life needs to be lived through the lens of experience, not the screen of a computer. WE must seek knowledge through experience and build physical bonds, or else the human race will cease to exist. I am not suggesting we extinguish media all together, as that is not possible. I am simply suggesting we use it with both moderation and caution. WE can all try a little harder to more frequently put down our computers and stepping away from our tv’s to live life first hand.
[i] Social psychological aspects of computer-mediated communication.
Kiesler, Sara; Siegel, Jane; McGuire, Timothy W.
American Psychologist, Vol 39(10), Oct 1984, 1123-1134.
Tags: media