Are You Good Enough for Society? : Social Media and Magazines and their Effects on the Self

In the past 20 plus years the world has encountered many changes. One of the biggest changes has to be the world of media. Magazines, T.V.s, cameras, radios, computers, cell phones, and many more kinds of technology, that are used as media outlets, have transformed and been created. Perhaps two of the biggest transformations have been the creation of magazines and eventually social media websites. Magazines have gone from being paperback to digital then social media networks came into play. With these new transformations in media people have changed with them. Perhaps trying to fit in with what they see being portrayed or trying not to get left behind in society. Whatever the case may be people have begun to change for, what seems like, good and bad. Today there are hundreds of social media websites including: blogs, dating sites, social networks, media sharing, and social news. There are also thousands of magazines circulating including: music, beauty, health, and many other kinds. In modern time these instruments have been utilized in ways that can be detrimental and instrumental in many ways to many people.
Purpose
This paper will examine the effects that social media and magazines tend to have on individuals. To help determine the effects of these kinds of media on the self, this paper will discuss what the “self” is. It will also look at the different types of social media and magazines while examining the positive and negative aspects these kinds of media contribute to the self. The constant ongoing debate happens to be what is deemed to be the actual definition of the word self.
What is the “Self?”
For a long period of time the question of “What is the self?” has been debated by many people. According to Bermudez, Ma...

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...e images and want to ideally possess the same qualities.
Conclusion
In conclusion, both producers and consumers of media deserve some responsibility in how social media and magazines have impacted people and the way they perceive themselves. The changes that these two types of media bring upon people can be both beneficial as well as detrimental. In order to live happy and fulfilling lives, people must know that creators of social media and magazines intents were for them to be good and helpful and that not everything that is shared and shown in the media is real. Therefore, the blame of negativity doesn’t solely lie on the producers of the media; it is also in the hands of the people, the consumers. As magazines and social networks become more prevalent in today’s society, images and information are constantly being shared while people will continue to evolve.