Technological Determinism is the theory that technology is a
primary cause of major social transformations at all levels; these levels
include: the individual level, which is the thought that technology affects the
way we individually think and act, the social interaction level, which is the
level in which we interact with others, and the institution level, which is the
thought that government, universities and the work place are all influenced by
the enhanced technological uses over the years.
Facebook is
an incredible social networking site, that within the last decade has helped to
connect people worldwide. Facebook has given our generation incredible
opportunities not only to network in regards to family and friends, but has
opened doors for people looking for intimate relationships as well as job opportunities.
Although Facebook and other social networks allow users to reap benefits, studies have also shown that Facebook, ironically, has helped to create
loneliness and narcissism to its users. The ironic thing is that Facebook and
other social networking cites are meant create and support friendships however,
there is a correlation between feelings of disconnectedness and the amount of
time that is spent on these types of cites. The Atlantic published an
article titled, “Is Facebook Making Us Lonely.” Researchers argued that
although we are making more connections by networking online, chatting, and
making new “friendships” we’re actually more alone then ever.
According
to “Is Facebook Making Us Lonely”, a 1998 article on the phenomenon by a team
of researchers At Carnegie Mellon showed that increased Internet usage was
already coinciding with increased loneliness. However, it’s important to note
that although “broadcasting,” in a sense, our lives correlates to feelings of disconnections it does not
necessarily mean that social networking causes these feelings of
disconnections.
According to a recent study in
Australia (also referenced in the Atlantic Article) nearly half the population uses Facebook. Despite this statistic, there is a
confounding relationship between relationships and social networking- although
Facebook has caused lower levels of social loneliness there are significant
higher levels of family loneliness (Marche, 2012). Marche, the author of “Is
Facebook Making Us Lonely,” states in his article, “Back in the 1990s, scholars
started calling the contradiction between an increased opportunity to connect
and a lack of human contact the “Internet paradox.” Back in the 1990s, scholars
started calling the contradiction between an increased opportunity to connect
and a lack of human contact the “Internet paradox.”” So although we are forming
relationships with friends and family that may live far from us, we are doing
so at the expense of the relationships of people we live with.
Apart from having effects on our social lives, social networking also influences our lives individually. This
generation is extremely wrapped up in social media, whether it be Instagram,
Facebook, or Twitter, a large part of our lives are absorbed by social media.
Gaining followers, likes, and friends can often times consume the lives of
social networking users and effect self perception whether it be in a negative
or positive way. Sometimes social networking users will self perceive
themselves based on how many likes they do or do not get on a picture or status
or how many favorites or retweets they get on a tweet.
Socially, the competition for likes
has increased in the youth today. Putting up a picture is no longer about
sharing your experiences and momentums with family and friends, but has become a
competition to see who can receive the most likes and comments. We allow social
media to dictate our lives. Behavior has changed over the rise of social media
even to the extent of “eating for the insta.” Even now I find myself wondering,
“What time should I put this up? Will people see this? At what time will I get
the most likes?”
The use of social media has skyrocketing over the course
of the last decade especially with the creation of media cites like Facebook,
Instagram and Twitter. Although we are managing to make more connections and
network, especially with those who live far, we are actually disconnecting from
family and friends around us. Despite this correlation between
loneliness and social networking, it is imperative to remember that this correlation does not mean that one causes the
other. Check out this youtube video "Look Up", it will inspire you to put the technology down and be in the present moment. This video is a clear allusion to technological determinism and the consequences the immense use of technology and social media can have on our relationships, being and morals.
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