How Digital Media Shaped My Life

How Digital Media Shaped My Life Digital media has shaped and affected my life in a variety of different ways. The first way digital media is incorporated into my life is through social networks. From the moment I wake up until the minute I fall asleep a social network is probably open on some type of technology. Usually if I'm bored my phone is in my hand scrolling through newsfeeds whether it is on Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat, or even Facebook. Twitter is my way of staying updated on people’s lives without really having to talk to them in person. Even though the individual isn’t there in person, you still feel as if you talked to them all day. In my opinion Instagram is used as a way of sharing everyone’s life stories through pictures. Whenever I'm using Snapchat, I tend to use the things that were not Instagram worthy. This would include simple things like showing someone that you’re at the local bar having a drink. Then the other party sees this and realizes where you are, and can then later meet up with you. Facebook is beginning to become a little outdated and I use it less often. For me, Facebook is my way of sharing to older generations what is happening in my life. I think digital media has also affected the way I interact with people. I think this is true because if a conversation with someone gets boring, you can simply open your phone and leave the discussion completely. When walking down the street most people, including myself, can be often found staring at their phones. The population can now use digital media as an excuse out of conversations, and they are using it to the full advantage. The experiences in Mayor’s article relate to some of my own like the constant influx of notifications and emails in social media. I have received so many junk emails over the years that it is now almost impossible to stop them. Even after deleting them, they will still return and continue to keep coming in. Notifications from all the social media sites are also an annoyance because any interaction with someone results in one. By the end of the day an individual can end up with hundreds of notifications and friend requests from the various social platforms. Always trying to stay current is also another way Mayor’s article relates to me and my life also. When a new social media site is released and everyone starts using it, at some point I will download it as well. Many people do, because we want to see what all the hype is about. I can remember when Facebook was one of the hottest topics, then as Twitter came out everyone left. Now Facebook has been reduced to a way for adults to connect with each other and share their lives to friends and family. I like many was one of the people to make this switch to stay “cool” as Mayor describes it. But having to change constantly between accounts and receiving all of these notifications make it annoying at times. I agree with Mayor in the fact that he has almost had a social media breakdown because it can get overwhelming at times. Trying to juggle three to five different sites everyday continuously can get tiring. Social media is shaping my life in these many ways each and every day.