I know the positives and negatives of social media. Everyone has their own feelings about it. I love it and I hate it. I heard just yesterday on the radio that 80% of college students have an addiction to their cell phones. Why might you ask? The answer was social media. Social media has made a huge impact on many peoples lives. In this study, students said that they spend at least 8- 10 hours on Facebook, instagram, and twitter social media sites. THAT IS INSANE! Think about it, how many times do you check your phone to see what people are posting or to see who liked your picture. I know I am just as guilty.
But how does it play a role in our relationships, well I think that it is encouraging introvert behaviors. People can hide behind the internet. There is not too much face to face conversation anymore. But it can be beneficial when trying to relay a message to someone far across the other side of the world or country. I know that I use Facebook to contact my uncle because he lives in Oregon and I do not want to disturb him while at work. So it allows me to send him a message that he can check when he is free. Social media has allowed us that in personal relationships, communication at hand when needed or necessary.
Also social media in our relationships has made us blind to emotions in conversation. By that I mean, when someone is saying something to you, you have no idea what what emotion they were feeling when they typed it. Were they just saying that or are they really mad at me? In a face to face conversation you could tell. Wow, she was definitely upset when she said that.
Our communication in person can even be awkward. But in some cases, people feel more confident because they got past small talk. Look at all the people who started talking to their siginificant other because they saw they had 564 friends in common and messaged them saying hey what are you up to. This is how some people are able to find relationships, not for me though. But it has definitely helped me talk to my boyfriend when need be. This would not have been possible for past generations, our grandparents had to meet in person, like myself, to meet a significant other.
I know many people who have used social media to become successful. My neighbor actually is a quilting blogger and has her own fabric line now thanks to social media. People all over the world were able to adore her art, people she does not even know. Many quilting companies began to recognize her. It is amazing how successful she has become due to a blog and Facebook page.
I do see positives and negatives of social media on our relationships with intimacy. But without social media, how would this class even be conducted? We could have it in a classroom, but we chose online because it is ready at hand. I actually typed half this article on the blogger app on my phone...
Its odd how popular "smart phones" have become because of all the apps that are on them. I know sometimes I look at my phone and scream and wish D2L was way more smart phone friendly, or even the My.mansfield site was more mobile friendly. I will say that since moving out of Tioga county ive noticed that Ive slowed down on my Facebooking as I'm now in my home town, but my husbands has picked up on his facebooking as all his friends from school and family are in Tioga county.
ReplyDeleteCharlie,
ReplyDeleteI am not surprised by the number of hours people spend on social media sites. Social networking sites are very helpful when it comes to communicating with people that are far away. I agree that it is hard to know what a person’s emotions are when they send a text. This is easy to do when you’re face-to-face because you can see the person, but communication over social networking sites can lead to misinterpretation. Since the semester has started, I don’t go on social networking sites as much as I did over the summer. I barely go on Facebook, but Instagram was a site I would spend a lot of time on. I have also started using Pinterest over the summer.
You pointed out some very good points Charlie. I think it is crazy how 80% of college students are addicted to their phones. I guess I should not be too shocked because I’m one of the 80. I barely go on my Facebook, but I do use it when I want to check up on people I have no spoke to in awhile or those who have moved far away. I am one of those people that pay attention to type so when you said “social media in our relationship has made us blind to emotions in conversation,” I understand what you mean, but sometimes you can tell. If someone is anger they would usually have all caps compared to someone that is just talking to you they will have regular text. What I really like that you put is at the end is about this class because that is true. I feel like I get to know everyone just by their blogs as much as I would get to know everyone if it was in a classroom.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed your post Charlie. This was exactly what I was thinking but then had a hard time putting into words but you did so very well. I also have a love hate relationship with social media. It can distort the meaning of words or messages but then can also be useful since i have alot of family who lives out of state and across the country. Great article and a very good read!
ReplyDeleteI worry for your statement saying that increased social media encourages introversion. I don't think that it is encouraging introversion; yes, it may be encouraging lack of social skill, but lack of social skill isn't introversion. Introversion is the tendency to like to be alone, and social media is actually quite the opposite of that. If anything, I think that it encourages introverts to socialize more. My main question is So what if people appear to be more "introverted"? Countries in Asia are doing just fine with that model. I think it is lack of social skill that you meant to discuss; being introvert does not mean a lack of social skill.
ReplyDelete