Blog post #1
Effects of Social Networking
Assumed that you were born in the 1990s or mid 1990s for example, there is relative chance that you grew into the age of the internet. The internet is the biggest breakthrough of the modern age. Everyone depended on it for entertainment, information and social interaction inside a network base. Which brings us to social interaction, which includes myspace, twitter and of course facebook. Hiding behind a keyboard gives us more confidence in speaking out of what we are afraid to say in person. Often children of the new age are subjects to social networking more because most of their interactions with people are on social media websites. Social media has became the easiest way of match making, contacting families and propaganda. Not the mention cyber bullying which is becoming the fastest growing cause of teen suicide.
However social interaction on social media has its dark corners. No matter what network, platform or media site we use, there is one factor behind everyone you talk to online and that is the human factor. There are some dangerous people out there who spends their time stalking and harassing others. Growing up online has led you to also become victim to its aspects. I grew up online. I use to spend most of my days watching youtube videos, following daily vlogs and meeting girls online because I was too shy to talk to them in person. I still do the same thing, except now I am older and my priorities of having school and a job separates me from assuming my basic entertainment hobbies.
Apart from that, social networking has led to better communication tactics with family, applying and finding a job faster, and overall change the state of everything social. What is a norm then is not a norm now. I think fundamentally we are the same, but the means by which we socialize is different. So that does not mean we don't grow up too fast. If anything there are major statistics that suggest we are actually growing up slower than past generations. For example, age or marriage, age of being financially independent, and when do you leave home for good. Social networking is more good than it is bad. It is not the concept that makes social networking what it is, it is the people behind it.
Definitely agree with you here. Social media is what you make it. While its easy to expose the dark corners that remained discreet in Social media, it's also important to point out its influence in a positive light. For example, LinkedIn is a social networking tool that helps build credential and has become highly essential in helping people find jobs. The Internet does give you the confidence to say things that you wouldn't in person but this does make you more vulnerable because you don't know who's on the other side making you think that they're someone they really aren't. For better or for worse, Social Media does play a vital role in childrens' cognitive functions, mostly teenagers. Snapchat is a prime example of a social network that can be used by literally anyone. Because it's so easy to use, children have no difficulty posting pictures of themselves with filters. This isn't harmful as long as these same children know that there are other ways to have fun such as going outside, playing your favorite sport and I believe that that is what is lacking in today's generation. I believe that it should be introduced to children only to enhance their cognitive functions. However, after all this, I'm brought to one question; who or what influences our children more, parents or the Internet?
ReplyDelete