The Effects of Social Networking on Our Society
Dr. Matt Godbey
WRD 110
6 December 2012
The Effects of Social Networking on Our Society
The use of electronic and social media has become a staple in our society. No matter where one travels one can have access to this great resource. But has this accessibility and dependence upon electronic and social media gone too far? Is this passion for instant gratification affecting our ability to communicate with those around us on a personal level? Another question to ask is whether or not this constant access to technology will help our children develop the necessary skills to succeed in life; whether through multitasking or being able to adapt to new situations. There have been many studies that argue both sides of this issue. Some say these new technologies will improve the quality of life for our children and others argue that instead of helping, it will hinder their ability to effectively communicate. The impact of the internet and social media has permanently altered the lives of all who participate in its web.
Kevin Cain’s article, “The Negative Effects of Facebook on Communication” argues that Facebook is completely changing how we communicate with one other. He says it is creating a society that values, “…frequent communication more than meaningful communication,” (Cain). He believes this has caused us to have shrinking attention spans and has made us want to share more personal information that we normally would not be comfortable sharing with others. “[We] overshare a variety of information that was once unthinkable for public consumption,” (Cain). On the other hand, Lori Takeuchi’s more researched article, “How Tweens Use Digital Media to Develop Their Identities” is not quite sure what kind of consequences our overexposure to the internet will have. She believes it can have both positive and negative effects based on a child’s exposure to the internet and the parental involvement surrounding its use. Takeuchi writes, “…reading Club Penguin’s newspaper, for
WRD 110
6 December 2012
The Effects of Social Networking on Our Society
The use of electronic and social media has become a staple in our society. No matter where one travels one can have access to this great resource. But has this accessibility and dependence upon electronic and social media gone too far? Is this passion for instant gratification affecting our ability to communicate with those around us on a personal level? Another question to ask is whether or not this constant access to technology will help our children develop the necessary skills to succeed in life; whether through multitasking or being able to adapt to new situations. There have been many studies that argue both sides of this issue. Some say these new technologies will improve the quality of life for our children and others argue that instead of helping, it will hinder their ability to effectively communicate. The impact of the internet and social media has permanently altered the lives of all who participate in its web.
Kevin Cain’s article, “The Negative Effects of Facebook on Communication” argues that Facebook is completely changing how we communicate with one other. He says it is creating a society that values, “…frequent communication more than meaningful communication,” (Cain). He believes this has caused us to have shrinking attention spans and has made us want to share more personal information that we normally would not be comfortable sharing with others. “[We] overshare a variety of information that was once unthinkable for public consumption,” (Cain). On the other hand, Lori Takeuchi’s more researched article, “How Tweens Use Digital Media to Develop Their Identities” is not quite sure what kind of consequences our overexposure to the internet will have. She believes it can have both positive and negative effects based on a child’s exposure to the internet and the parental involvement surrounding its use. Takeuchi writes, “…reading Club Penguin’s newspaper, for
Cited: Cane, Kevin. "The Negative Effects of Facebook on Communication." Social Media Today RSS. Social Media Today, 29 June 2012. Web. 4 Nov. 2012. . Carr, Nicholas. “Is Google Making Us Stupid?” The Atlantic July-Aug. 2008. Web, 16 Nov. 2012. < http://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2008/07/is-google-making-us-stupid/306868/>. Konrardy, Nate. "Face-to-Facebook Communication." The Northern Iowan. The Northern Iowan, 3 Oct. 2011. Web. 17 Nov. 2012. . Lowry, Joan. "Distracted Walking: Smartphone-wielding Pedestrians Stumble into Danger." The Christian Science Monitor, 30 July 2012. Web. 13 Nov. 2012. Orr, Robert R. et al. "The Influence Of Shyness On The Use Of Facebook In An Undergraduate Sample." Cyberpsychology & Behavior 12.3 (2009): 337-340. Puglisi, Megan. "Social Networking Hurts the Communication Skills of College Students." The Daily Athenaeum. The DA Online, 13 Oct. 2010. Web. 13 Nov. 2012. . Takeuchi, Lori. "MindShift." MindShift RSS. Mind Shift, 29 Feb. 2012. Web. 4 Nov. 2012. .