When reading the debate "Is Internet Addiction a Health Threat for Teenagers", I though really hard about the title before I proceeded to read the attached arguments. I believe that the internet has contributed to the world positively but it has also created huge problems. Internet addiction is a reality for teens in our day in age. It is actually quite frightening because when high school students are placed into a room filled with people they don't recognize, they turn to their phones instead of interacting with their peers. It's almost as if we have lost all interest in making new relationships with people. In one of the debates, Danah Boyd suggests that teenagers turn to the internet because they feel it is a judgement free zone. With social networking apps we have the ability to communicate with other people around the world and create relationships with them. I agree that at times the internet can feel like a safe environment for teens since we are able to find people with the same interests as ours, but the internet has created a different form of judgement.
The idea of something being "trendy" or "in" has always been a concept even before the internet. I just believe the internet, social media in particular, has made this concept stronger. Social media has created an ideal image and "regular" people strive to be that. It has made us believe that we are deemed to look, act, think, or be a certain way and anything from it, isn't good enough The internet is filled with self-conscious people that don't feel complete because they do not fit the ideal image social media has created. I believe that social media has also destroyed originality in teenagers. It makes us want certain properties that deep down we may not even like. In this time of our lives we are all trying to discover ourselves and our own interests but if we all are aiming towards that ideal image, are we truly finding ourselves and who we could be? Social media does not give us an opportunity to experiment with different styles, hobbies, or interests because then we are judged by the media. So, are we unhappy with ourselves because we aren't living social media's ideal life or are we unhappy because we are chasing an image we don't even want?
- Carla Rodriguez
I have to disagree with your opinion inferring that social media does not give us an opportunity to experiment with different styles, hobbies, or interests. Because many people are inspired by others expressing their talents on social media to be known, encouraging others to try it out for themselves. Several teenagers have discovered their capabilities throughout social media and continue to share it throughout the internet. Moreover, there is a judgment on social media and publicly either way. It depends on whether or not you choose to accept those judgments because you will face them either way. Your claims are depending in my opinion. Although I agree with teenagers and people, in general, interacts with social media often than their peers. My perspective, there is a choice living in social media’s ideal life and it’s everyone’s choice how they choose to take advantage of it. Regardless of whether or not it makes teenagers happy it all depends on how young adults choose to take advantage of social media. -Trisha Theresse Cornejo
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with your opinion, especially when you mentioned how people aren't really free to express their true selves on social media. Instead of being themselves, they put on the guise of someone they're not. Usually, when you just go along with what's trendy, people will like and admire you for the most part. However, what hurts the most is that people aren't liking you for who you really are.
ReplyDeleteMany people are damaging themselves in some way due to anxiety or depression, caused by this constant pressure. They feel like they have to fit in and go along with the crowd to maintain happiness. They may be happy or satisfied for a certain duration, but eventually, that positive feeling can turn into a negative one. One trend or norm that I know of is the idea of having clear skin, free from blemishes. People on social media sometimes use filters to cover their acne and make themselves look more presentable. Although they may be making themselves look more 'appealing' to their audience, it's not their natural look. That person may feel like a phony because what if some people only liked them for that one picture with the filter? Your blog definitely opened up my eyes a little bit more on social media, and how it's repercussions can be damaging.
I disagree with your opinion that social media does not give use an outlet to try new things. I feel that that is exactly what social media does. I believe that this society has been the most understanding and accepting of differences between people. Yes, social media does open the door for rude comments but there are ways of avoiding them. Lastly, some people may feel the need to alter their appearance for social media but if that makes them comfortable why should we say that they are unhappy because of social media.
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