For a long time people questioned technology, but why? Its doesn't necessarily hurt people, so why question it? Well a quote by Eliana Dockterman may help with that, “For years, the Parental Adage was simple: The less time spent with screens, the better. That thinking stems from, among other things, reports about the rise of cyber bullying and sexual predators, as well as the fact that social media--specifically the sight of others looking happy in photos--can make kids feel depressed and insecure” (54). The social media aspects of technology can really push people to their limits. Social media sends out false images and messages about what societies youth should look like, act like or be like. With the wondrous photoshop people can be whoever they want to, but for what price? To be cool? To have friends? What really makes young adults crave to be on the social media sites? Statistics brought forth by Dan Johnson says:
Outside of the classroom, millions of U.S. children are routinely participating in a
diverse media culture. Approximately 8.6 million children and 8.4 million teenagers were online in 1998; by 2002, the total number reached over 38.5 million, according to Jupiter Communications. Children are using the Internet to maintain contact with friends and family and to form online communities with like-minded peers. (14)
However the difference with the like-minded communities is that online, it doesn't matter who you are, you can be anyone or anything.
http://www.kavaliro.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/social-media-profiles.jpg
Online media can hurt the way we percieve ourselves as well as others, when we get to the point on a website where the silent pull of "create profile" pulls us into a slumber of lust and deception, there is nothing stopping us. We have the ability to play god in a way, we have no boundaries and can be anyone we want to be.
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