The Effects Of Social Media On Society

In January of 2017 there were over half a million active users on Twitter (“Social Media Statistics”). Social media has gone from a niche platform to a foundation of social interaction, bringing its flaunting nature to the forefront of culture. The widespread use of the internet and social media in today’s world contributes to an increasingly public society, mimicking the lack of privacy between citizens in Aldous Huxley’s, “Brave New World”. Despite the fact that a public culture can increase exploitation and social pressures, the connectivity it brings is more beneficial to society as a whole.

Do people ever think about how much time they spend online? Have they noticed its effects on them? As stated by Andreassen, Pallesen and Griffiths (2016), “Social media have become an increasingly popular leisure activity over the last decade.” Yes, there are always two sides to everything, the good and the bad. Social networking can yield both benefits and problems with similar individuals. Social networking highlights both negative and positive effects also on students, according to the argument from Wang, Chen, and Liang (2011). When it comes to social media, is it more negatives than positives? For example, social media can cause addiction, lack of face to face communication and lowers self-esteem.

Through the 18th and 19th centuries, theorists came to define Civil Society as a network of active voluntary associations and organizations independent of the state that came together for collective action and cooperation, particularly against state abuse of people’s freedoms and rights. A key underlying aspect of this conventional definition is, as is emphasized by Tocqueville- a dense network of associations functioning via face to face interaction on a more or less permanent basis. The 21st century however introduces a new variable in this equation which, some scholars argue, can drastically change the way civil society is theorized to function- Social Media. Social media has emerged as a catalyst in modern day struggles for democracy and

In this day and age, social media has become the norm, from the news to any person with access to the internet, have become reliant to fast a paced platform. Michel Foucault, 20th century French philosopher and social theorist, fully developed the theory of the panopticon, created by English philosopher and social theorist Jeremy Bentham in the late 18th century. The panopticon, described by Bentham, is a prison structure where there are three walls constructed around the prisoner leaving an empty space where a fourth wall would normally be. The entire structure is usually in a circle, the prisoner knows that there are inmates to their left and right, but there is no way for them to communicate with one another. In the middle of the panopticon, there is a clearing where the watch tower stands. This is where the warden can observe the inmates, but there no way the inmates know when the warden is in the tower or not. The inmate does not know when they are or not being observed, for the entrance to the tower is underground. This makes the inmate to behave a different manner at all times because they do not know when they are being observed. Social media, has become in a way, a new panoptical platform where not only does the observed continue to be observed but also become the observer. There have been many discussions as to whether we can escape the panopticon through social media. We cannot escape the panopticon because there will always be someone observing us weather we put

The computer, one of the icons of the information age, has become an integral part of society. Email has replaced snail mail, online videos have replaced the tape cassette, and social media has replaced the village square. In his essay “Postscript on the Societies of Control,” the French philosopher Gilles Deleuze argues that the rise of the computer heralds the transition from a disciplinary society to a control society, where people are no longer viewed as individuals, but as “dividuals,” like data points in a system. In her book How We Became Posthuman, Katherine Hayles gives examples of the “dividualizing” effect computers have on individuals. Deleuze's control society stands in contrast to the older disciplinary societies outlined by another French philosopher, Michel Foucault. In his book Discipline and Punish, Foucault describes what he terms a “panopticon,” a system in which a large number of subjects are observed from a central location, knowing that they may be observed but not knowing when they are, in an effort to induce them to self-discipline their own behavior. The panopticon forms the basis of a disciplinary society, which uses “panoptic” institutions such as school, prisons, and hospitals to encourage individuals to conform to certain standards and norms (e.g. learned, law-abiding, healthy). In the article “The Subject and Power”, Foucault further discusses the power relationships that underlie such disciplinary societies, asserting that power in

Surveillance has implemented the purpose of observing and monitoring individual’s actions and communications. Purposely, it is used for monitoring our behaviors, activities, and protection. Looking at the contemporary lifestyle we live by in society, surveillance technologies can range from computer monitoring to satellite imagery. Surveillance technologies are at near-constant presence regardless of circumstances in which, Edward Snowdown stated, “Even if you’re not doing anything wrong, you are being watched and recorded.” Moreover, the critics of how the psychological and social impact can be seen through with philosophical viewpoints. Michel Foucault an, French philosopher recognized for his influential contributions in which one of his theories establishes the understanding between power and knowledge and how they are implemented as a form of social control through societal institutions. Also, it is crucial to understand that the types of surveillance mechanisms used in correctional facilities, closed-circuit television, (CCTV) patrol officers with body-worn cameras and multiple other mechanisms are seen as power that is coercive or repressive but, it is rather a necessary and productive implementation to our lives enforcing ourselves from doing unethical acts against our will. Moreover, we will discuss Foucault’s theory signifying the influences of surveillance prompts us towards disciplined behavior, warning of undisciplined behavior and lastly self-discipline all

Within the present modern disciplinary society, which is dependent on invisible power and surveillance, humans are constantly disciplined through a power structure. Albeit, civilians are taught to internalize the intangible surveilling gaze that molds them into efficient, operational products; though, brief unnerving feelings may accompany the thought of constant, omnipresent observation. Although the words “power” and “discipline” frequently come with an adverse connotation of punishment and repression, they actually possess multiple productive uses in a variety of social institutions and relations. In Michel Foucault’s Discipline & Punish, he discusses the nature of power in society: how it can not only be used for discipline, but also potentially implemented as a productive influence. Foucault did not view power as a necessarily restrictive and repressive force on people; rather, it is an immanent dynamic in all social relations. In addition, a panoptic structure could be beneficial to all institutions of containment that depend on power and observation, including prisons, schools, hospitals, and even animal captivity. This power does not need to be implemented through forceful means: power can result from care, such as the nurturing power established by supportive parental figures. Since I was given the privilege of a smartphone, my parents felt it necessary to track my precise whereabouts through the well-known application, Find My Friends. Though they were not strict

Social media refers to the means of interactions among people in which they create, share, exchange and comment contents among themselves in virtual communities and networks. Social media or "social networking" has almost become part of our daily lives and being tossed around over the past few years. It is like any other media such as newspaper, radio and television but it is far more than just about sharing information and ideas. Social networking tools like Twitter, Facebook, Flickr and Blogs have facilitated creation and exchange of ideas so quickly and widely than the conventional media. The power of define and control a brand is shifting from corporations and

Society as a whole lives constantly being watched by the social media, twitter, employers and even shopping surveillance cameras. Although each outlet has its different purpose for watching, there exist pros and cons. Social media may share a User’s individual lifestyles or events with just a touch of a button or a click of a mouse. Utilizing Twitter to monitor or view friends, family, or celebrity updates, which is a form of surveillance of people’s lives. An employer retains a watchful eye on a new employee to ensure they occupy the right fit for the company or can also watch to ensure their assets remain secure. Surveillance monitors property or assets to prevent theft, however, who are the true assets it monitors? The consumer in the store of course. Consumers are the bread and butter of the store, without the consumer, there are no sales, and if there are no sales, there would be no store. I refute the claim that the retail anthropologists’ surveillance of consumers is manipulative or unethical. In fact, the surveillance of consumers can serve both the retailer and the consumer by providing videos which show what products the consumer desires and buys, it can advise the retailer to place quality products in appropriate organizational areas, and provide not only the consumer, nonetheless the retailer with an overall superior shopping experience.

Everyone have heard the saying “too much of a good thing, can be bad”, the meaning is self-explanatory. However, the statement is true, just thinks about it. Food is good, but too much is bad. Social drinking is good, but too much a person becomes an alcoholic. Social media started as a good idea, but even too much social media can become bad for a person. Society had reached a point where it is not necessary to have human contact in order to have a relationship. Instead of calling and talking to someone, people just chat through the internet or text message. People lost the art of conversation with today’s technology. Facebook launched in 2004 and has become a mega company. Last year, the company had 845 million users, revenue was $3.7 billion, and the estimated value of the company is $100 billion. There are negative and positive effects of social media since the launched of Facebook in 2004. The great debate is: have Facebook plays a positive or negative impact in society?

Since I was younger I have always been creative and interested in coming up with my own unique ideas. When it came time to think about my future career I decided I needed to be doing something creative and artsy. I was not quite sure what I wanted to do with my future that involved my many interests. Finally, I came up with becoming an advertising manager after getting my degree in business marketing. Advertising managers create interest among potential buyers of a product or service for a department, for an entire organization, or on a project basis. They must plan advertising and promotional campaigns and decide which media to advertise in, such as, radio, television, print, online media, and billboards. Advertisements and forms of social media have a huge affect on people, because it is mainly all that we see. Now these advertisements are meant to sell society on an idea or product, they are not meant to be negative in any way. However, some advertisements, mainly on social media websites, are affecting society, especially women, more than most people realize.

Social media is a growing aspect and trend of the current generation. Currently there are 1.73 billion users over the world. As social media users ourselves, we are well aware of the many great aspects of social media, but also know there are some negative outcomes. This then led to the exploration of how social media effects society through studying texts. In each scenario the characters were affected in different ways, as well as the people around them. The texts studied are Ender’s Game, The Social Network, Cyberbully and Trust. In some of the texts positive aspects have arisen from the result of social media whereas in other extreme cases the result of social media has been extremely harmful. Wikipedia.com defines social media as ‘computer-mediated tools which allow people to create, share or exchange information and ideas in virtual communities and networks’.

“Those that interact via social media on a daily basis are five times likelier to use tobacco, three times likelier to use alcohol, and twice as likely to use marijuana” (Stein). “It is important that parents evaluate the sites on which their child wishes to participate to be sure that the site is appropriate for that child’s age” (O 'keeffe, Clarke-Pearson). Parents and guardians of teens worry about what they do on the internet, while at the same time, the parents aren’t doing their part by monitoring their actions. Just this one of many reasons that social media is a disadvantage in our lives’ is enough acknowledgement to watch what the internet is doing to society in general. The problem with social media is it can have a negative impact on society if the privileges’ given are abused, which seems to be increasing vastly.

We cannot deny that social media has taken over conventional media in the world today. We can easily see that they have impacts on our society. Since the introduction of social network sites years ago, to communicate with friends and family has been easy once you have access to internet.The definition of social media is "the relationship that exist between network of people" (Walter & Riviera, 2004). In the last ten years, the online world has changed dramatically. Thanks to the ivention of social media, young men and women now exchange ideas, feelings, personal information, pictures and videos at a truly astonishing rate. Seventy-three percent of wired American teens now use social media websites (oberst, 2010). Schill (2011) states that the social media sites encourage negative behaviors for teen students such as procrastination catching up with friends , and they are more likely to drink and drug. However, every day, many students are spending countless hours immersed in social media, such as Facebook, Myspace, World of Warcraft, or Sim City. At first glance this may seem like a waste of time, however it also help students to develop important knowlegde and social skills, and be active citizens who create and share content. At present, whether social media is favorable or unfavorable, many students utilize these sites on a daily basis. As social media sites continue to grow in popularity it is our belief that technology is a vital part of today 's

Marylin Vos Savant once said, “Email, instant messaging, and cell phones give us fabulous ability, but because we live and work in our own little worlds, that communication is totally disorganized”. The society we live in today requires modern technology. Texting, tweeting, and other forms of abbreviated communications are now changing how we speak. Of course technology and social media to be precise, is not necessarily evil; they have boosted the world’s economy by creating employment opportunities, increased the standard of living whereby individuals’ needs are met with greater ease, and the world’s connectivity has never been better. Although social media has benefited society in one way or another, it presents more serious consequences, including the way we speak and communicate with each other inhabiting face to face interactions, health associated problems especially among the youth, and poor performances at jobs and schools resulting from abbreviated words.