In the age of smart phones and smart watches, voice controlled televisions and hashtages, communication has virtually become borderless as barriers that previously existed are thwarted with the introduction of highly refined technologies and communicative vessels. Whilst there have always been channels for which humans have used to communicate and form connections, new-aged technology brings to the the table the appeal of broad reach and instantaneous connection. Communication channels such as letter-writing and direct interpersonal socialising (work place, pubs, schools, night clubs) were the main modes of communication before the tidal wave of social networking engulfed the market. Defining social media/networks as an abstract concept is something that many have struggled to do. The lecture for this week defined the as, " web-based services that allow individuals to create a public profile, to create a list of users with whom to share connections, and view and cross the connections within the system". This was not dissimilar to the definition provided by Danah M. Boyd and Nicole B. Ellison in their article published to the Journal of Computer-Mediated Communication, which suggests that social networking sites are web-based services that allow individuals to, " 1) construct a public or semi-public profile within a bounded system, (2) articulate a list of other users with whom they share a connection, and (3) view and traverse their list of connections and those made by others within the system" (m. boyd & B. Ellison, 2008).
Regardless of how it's defined, social media platforms and networking sites have quickly become one the most revolutionary innovations of our time, connecting people from across the world in a way that has not previously been seen. Social networking has changed the way users are able to interact with the media and politics as well as how they consume and comprehend news and current affairs (Rohampton, 2017). Studies estimate that Millennials' dependence on online media platforms such as Facebook for news of a political nature is almost entirely mirrored by the Baby Boomers' reliance on television to receive their news (Mitchell, Gottfried & Matsa, 2017).
Undeniably, the introduction and continued advancements of social media platforms have bought about innumerable benefits to the life of users, with ease of use and convenience being just one. There too have been experts to suggest that there is an omnipresent threat that social media and the increased connectivity it provides is having profound impacts on the psychological health of it's users. In her Ted Talk address, Sherry Turkle a professor of social science and technology, speaks about the idea of being "alone together" and the harmful effects on interpersonal relationships and ones connection with reality social media is inflicting. She warns of the pressure to appear perfect online is going to lead to a widespread mental health crisis amongst young people as their perception of reality becomes increasingly confused. Ultimately, it is up to the user to regulate their use of social media to ensure that they remain grounded in reality and don't get caught up in the crazed phenomenon that is social media.
REFERENCES:
Boyd, D. and Ellison, N. (2008). Social Network Sites: Definition, History, and Scholarship. Journal Of Computer-Mediated Communication, 13, p.211.
Mitchell, A., Gottfried, J. and Eva Matsa, K. (2017). Facebook Top Source for Political News Among Millennials. [online] Pew Research Center Journalism & Media. Available at: http://www.journalism.org/2015/06/01/facebook-top-source-for-political-news-among-millennials/ [Accessed 4 Aug. 2017].
Rohampton, J. (2017). 3 Ways Social Media Is Changing How Millennials Consume News. [online] Forbes. Available at: https://www.forbes.com/sites/jimmyrohampton/2016/12/10/3-ways-social-media-is-changing-how-millennials-consume-news-2/#1662dba16c18 [Accessed 4 Aug. 2017].
