Nathan raises some interesting questions about living in a networked society today and the effects social networking has on the way we socialise. However I suggest that we need to stand back and take a much bigger view of what is happening in society where the Internet plays such a major part in our lives.
Social media is a platform for communication that is difficult for young people to avoid – particularly when today’s children are digital natives rather than digital adopters like myself. If young people (or even older people) are not part of the social network then the chances of FOMO are very real. FOMO – the ‘fear of missing out’ – is a relatively new term being bandied about to describe what it feels like to be disconnected from others! But the way new media technology has impacted on our lives does not mean that we are in a “we must fix it” situation. We cannot just turn around and “fix” an apparently eroding society – if that is really what is happening. I think it is important for us to view new media technologies with a much wider lens so that we are not only aware of both the positive and negative attributes they offer, but also think about using them in ways that are most advantageous to us.
One of the leading researchers of social networking danah boyd (2009) points out that specific genres of social media will come and go and with all those concerns about negative effects we are powerless to “turn the clock back”. boyd says:
“Social network sites may end up being a fad from the first decade of the 21st century, but new forms of technology will continue to leverage social network as we go forward. If we get away from thinking about the specific technologies and focus on the properties and dynamics, we can see how change is unfolding before our eyes. One of the key challenges is learning how to adapt to an environment in which these properties and dynamics play a key role. This is a systems problem. We are all implicated in it – as developers and policy makers, as parents and friends, as individuals and as citizens.”
So my point here is that we should not turn concerns about social media, or even the Internet as a whole, into a moral panic situation. We need to “evolve” with it as boyd suggests. We need to relish the positive aspects of it rather than focusing on a fear that society might be eroding before our eyes. There is a lot more to be gained if we view social media more positively and recognize what it has to offer. One example that comes to mind is the wonderful opportunity social networking sites offer people on their OE to keep their relationships with family and friends alive and meaningful by sending messages and pictures to show what they are up to and the amazing places they are visiting – and perhaps even ask parents for some more money to support this fantastic experience! (Note: When I travelled around Europe in the late 1980s postcards and letters were much slower options for communication, and telephone calls were very expensive compared with skyping today!).
It is very easy to take a dystopian view of social media but it is a trap we should not fall into. Certainly it is wise to be aware of taking too much notice of how many friends we have online, and to realise the pitfalls of meaning being lost in translation when communicating via social media. But for every negative aspect raised, there are many positives that come to mind.
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Most importantly we need to acknowledge that many young people today are still communicating face-to-face and not just through social media whether socializing at parties, meeting up at the movies or the beach, or sitting in lectures together. It all becomes part of the socializing mix and we should not underestimate young people. They are very capable of connecting on a range of platforms and managing relationships in a variety of ways that still make them meaningful. We should not assume that multiple platforms of communication dilute relationships. It is just there are different way of doing things in the 21st century and it is up to us to adapt.
Click onto this link to read more from Danah Boyd
Author: Dr Philippa Smith, AUT
This is great! It has really helped me focus in on my thoughts about the situation. I totally agree with you that social media is as much a force of good, and that for many people it has brought about new found hope for keeping connections that would otherwise be lost. I also agree that society needs to adapt to a new way of connecting in order to live in the network society. But are we being given a chance to do that? Social technologies are changing constantly, so in the midst of this change, can we adapt, or will be always be steps behind? What I mean to say is that I am not convinced that society and technology will be harmonised in some spontaneous, organic event or process. Although I think they can certainly work together for good, I suspect it will require conscious effort to evolve social technologies to their next level.
Hi Philippa,
I agree entirely that young people are exposed to digital and social media, simply because this is what they are learning in schools today.
My daughter, very young at age (2 actually) uses an IPAD for interactive puzzles that stimulates her mind and offers another form of teaching and learning, something that creche’s are bringing in. I wasn’t in favour of it at first, however, I’m able to see how well she is learning shapes, words, numbers etc and being able to piece puzzles together – a positive learning outcome.
You’re right, it’s all about adapting and ensuring that we are utilising these types of mediums in a creative and positive way!
Thank you Nathan and Atiaiti for your feedback. My blog and your comments are indicative of the uncertainty surrounding new media technology and its effects. I’m sure no one had any idea what the impact of the Gutenberg printing press would be when it was first invented in 1440. Apart from other things it has been credited as being a catalyst of the rise of the modern nation state! Who knows what awaits us with social media.