The way society defines and uses media has consistently changed throughout history, however, for as long as man has communicated media has been social. Media is our medium to communicate with one another. The evolution of this medium into social media has raised controversy for over half a century. The argument regarding children and the use of social media has been a constant in this controversy. As the simplicity and ability to use a large variety of technology in social media has grown so, have the concerns for what type of social media we are using. The age at which we introduce children to these technologies is falling at an alarming rate. This progression is taking place both in and out of the home. Children are interacting in the medium of social media before they can read, using computers, and gaming systems. By emphasizing the use of technology, we encourage them to create a virtual world. With this constant push to learn and use technology and the medium of social media, we are failing to teach children how to behave and function in the real world. Because they are not interacting on a personal level, they are failing to learn fundamental skills in socialization. Social media negatively affects childhood development because it limits their ability to understand social cues, to understand conversational tones, and to communicate face to face.
Since ancient times, socialization has been a ritual originating in the home. Socialization is the process of acquiring culture (O’Neil, 2011). The skills taught to children, which will help them to interact with the world and people around them, begins with the practice of interacting with members of their own family. Socialization is a key element in the development of our perso...
... middle of paper ...
... 28). Social Networking May Affect Kid’s Health. Retrieved from http://webmd.com/parenting/news/2110238/social-networking-may-affect-kids-health
McNeal, J. U., & Ji, M. F. (1998). The Role of Mass Media in the Consumer Socialization of Chinese Children. Association for Consumer Research, 3,6-12. Retrieved December 6, 2011, from http://www.acrwebsite.org/volumes/dispaly.asp?id=11494
O’Keeffee, G. S., & Clarke-Pearson, K. (2011). The impact of social media on children, adolescents, and families. Pediatrics, 127(4), . doi: 10.1542/peds.2011-0054
Roberts, D. R., & Foehr, U. G. (2008). Trends of Media Use. The Future of Children, 18(1), 11-37. Retrieved December 29, 2011, from the JSTOR database.
Rusten, E. (n.d). Using computers in schools. Retrieved January 21, 2012, from http://learnlink.aed.org/Publications/Sourcebook/chapter4/Computers_in_Schools_modelofuse.pdf
Brent Staples article “What Adolescents Miss When We Let Them Grow Up in Cyberspace” published in the New York Times, highlights how technology plays a heavy role in adolescent social development. For example, children growing up in the 21st century are bombarded with vast technological media outlets. Also, Staples supports with factual research indicating communicating through technology hinders children social skills. Staples explains how social media and networking has become a virtual reality, encouraging children not to value real-world experiences. Staples argues that adolescents cannot transition into the harsh realities of adulthood because they prefer socializing through virtual realities. Although there are parents who monitor adolescents’
Media and Popular Culture. The McGraw-Hill Reader: Issues across the Disciplines. Ed. Gilbert H. Muller. 12th ed. Boston: McGraw-Hill, 2012. 426. Print.
Ranging from using television as a educational resource to the development of motor skills with video games, many experts believe that social media is an effective way of mentoring the up-bringing of a child. Television, which in today’s time televises educational shows for children of all ages, can be a beneficial factor towards beginning a child’s education. James P. Steyer and Chelsea Clinton, the authors of “The Other Parent: The Inside Story of the Media’s Effect on Our Children” write “I set out to build a new kids' educational media company -- JP Kids -- that would create high-quality content for kids on TV, the Internet, publishing, and related platforms” (pg. 5). The educational media company JP Kids is one of the few educational media companies still existent today and provides education for thousands of viewers dail...
Karrie Lager, a child psychologist practicing in Los Angeles, says. “However, excessive internet use can have serious negative consequences,” she explains in response to a survey published by CASA Columbia (Stein, 2014). Dr. Lager has a great point, she believes that the use of technology for communication is a great thing for children, but she also agrees that using it to excess can be harmful and dangerous to a child. A lot of children, as well as adults use social media as fuel to their self-esteem and their self-worth, by doing so they become addicted wanting to use it more and more to never feel less than they should. Unfortunately because of this the addictive tendencies are becoming more apparent “Social media is simply providing a quicker peeling of the onion, however in most cases the problems were already there,” Dr. Sophy says, “Many people are genetically predisposed to use excessive amounts of potentially harmful tools (sex, substances, food, social media, etc.) to self soothe. And yet there are others who learn these behaviors due to life circumstances and events” (Stein, 2014). As you look closer to the problem one can understand that there are beneficial factors to social media but they can also see that there are factors that are harmful. If children are using social media more and more there is naturally going to be
Woodard, E.H. & Gridina, N. “Media in the Home 2000, The fifth annual survey of parents and children.” The Annenberg Public Policy Center of the University of Pennsylvania. Philadelphia, PA. Feb 2001. 20 Mar 2008 .
Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter are only a few of the most common words used in today’s language among children, teens and adults. Such words can be described as popular terms related to what many of us know as social media. In today’s culture, many teenagers rely so heavily on the usage of social media that issues once thought to be revolutionary are now taking place offline and online. In fact, several cases of mental addictions, depression and even suicide have all stemmed from the initial usage of sites such as Facebook, which are otherwise socially accepted as a simple means of communicating with “friends.” While social media does have its advantages, it can also be held responsible for several negative events in the lives of today’s teenagers.
Besides cyberbullying, there are many other negative outcomes for American youth in the use of social media websites like Facebook. For example, many teens are using shorthand and abbreviations when writing or communicating online. Additionally, teens lose themselves in social media, ignore their surroundings and even become addicted to social media. Consequences of this include a rise in obesity, devaluation in family, lack of exercise and decrease in focus on school and homework. Adolescents that use social media more often than others are more prone to “narcissistic tendencies,” “anxiety, depression, and other psychological disorders” (Protalinski, 2011). American youth that share more online also display manic, aggressive and antisocial behaviors.
Recent advancements in technology have created a new form of communication. We call this new type of communication social media. Some of the big names in social media are Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat and Instagram. Most people today use some form of social media on a daily basis. Social media is most popular amongst adolescents. According to a poll conducted by Infographic, nine out of ten teenagers have used social media. Whenever a new technological advancement occurs there is concern over how it will affect society. In the case of social media, the concern is greatest for adolescents. So, how does social media effect adolescents? Social media can have both negative and positive effects. Some of the effects of using social media can be depression, addiction, cyberbullying and exposure to inappropriate content.
..., DF (2010). Generation M2: Media in the lives of 8-18 year olds. Merlo Park CA: Henry J Kaiser Foundation
In today’s society, much advancement has been made throughout the universe. However, one that seems to stand out in particular is the use of social media. Social media has both positive and negative effects on society. This advancement has led to a difference in communication to everyone by reconnecting with others, or even informing the public nationwide through televisions such as the news or talk shows. However, is social media safe to use? Social media has a great impact on everyone in society. While allowing your children or teenagers to engage in social media a few things to consider are the risks of youth using social media, what age is too young, and also how social media is useful in some cases. Children participate in cyber bullying now and even find themselves involved in bad habits, such as sexting (Schurgin O’Keefe). According to a recent poll conducted, over 22 percent of teenagers log onto their social media site more than ten times a day (Schurgin O’Keefe). Not everything is negative towards social media, but there are precautions that need to be taken when there is the youth involved.
As social media use continues to increase for teenagers and young adults, so do the concerns on the social development in adolescents due to the internet. Many teens are attracted to social media because it provides a place where they can be anonymous and make friends, when at school they may be too shy to do so. In fact, a survey shows that, “participants...said they were better able to express their true selves online than offline, and they tended to project ideal qualities onto their online partners” However, when you have been given the tools and technology to maintain your lives without even speaking a word to someone face-to-face, it is anything but social. As a teen, social development is critical. During these years, a child will learn how to maintain friendships, thrive in social situations, and other important skills. When you are spending your day h...
Social media can have detrimental effects on the formation of an adolescent’s identity such as social isolation meaning that the individual will spend excessive amounts of time attached to any electronics that will provide him with social media access. Social networking has been debated to have beneficial or detrimental effects, as overuse and abuse of the Internet can be harmful to someone, such as an adolescent. According to the National Crime Prevention Council, over one million teenage girls are victimized psychologically as well as physically, through social media.
The correlation between the development of youth and social media has become blatant. Although few of the consequences are favorable, the majority have displayed a negative impact. The drive social media can implement on youth is exceptional. The pressure and strain social media can place on our youth is an enduring force which leads individuals to question themselves as a person and feel inclined to fit a norm expressed in media and social media of our society. The underlying force social media can play in the lives of the youth is astonishing and is a force that must be dealt with and controlled, for it not only holds the power to give an individual strength, but also to break them down.
As in real life, teenagers are very shy of what is coming out of their mouth, but in social media, it’s the opposite, “Social media is preventing us from standing up for ourselves the way we should be” (Thaiatizickas). Facebook is a convenient way to contact a long distance relative or friends, but teenagers are depending on it too much that make them lacked face to face communication. Social media such as Facebook limits the face to face interaction between humankind. Technology has a huge impact on human life and some may take them as an advantage and disadvantage. Many believed that the digital world is their real life and they can meet and talk to whoever they want through messenger and video calls. Teenagers often say the things that they wanted to say through social media, “they are sending messages and content that they would never share at school, often using language that they would never say to someone’s face, a language that, if used with classmates at school, would lead to disciplinary action” (journal by Steiner-Adair). Compare to the previous generations, the younger generations have the effects on social networking that cause them to grow up differently. Social media are now destroying teenagers’ social skills as well as the future
We live in a world that has become addicted and dedicated toward social media and it is driving America’s youth into the ground. Teenagers and adults are so wrapped up in social media that is runs their lives every day. Constantly people are checking their phones for the latest on social networks. They have to see pictures, tweets, statuses, comments, likes, and the list goes on and on. Social media is becoming the focus point in the modern American society that it is beginning to control people’s social skills, communication skills, and their livelihood.