Blog Post #2 - Dante Testani
As an eighth grader navigating the obstacles of growing up in the digital age, Kayla is described as quiet and reserved. A major part of the film revolves around her experiences with social and personal anxiety brought on by digital media. Through social media (YouTube videos), Kayla keeps an active online presence and shares tips on socializing and confidence. However, she finds it difficult to follow her advice and needs to be more comfortable in real-life social situations. In the movie, Kayla's constant comparison to other people on social media adds to her anxiety about fitting in and being accepted by her classmates. She frequently browses through her feeds, feeling unworthy of her classmates' seemingly flawless lives. When communicating with people in person, Kayla feels more at ease via digital means. The movie shows how she relies on social media and texting to communicate, emphasizing how digital communication affects her social anxiety. This is even demonstrated when Kayla is with an older boy in his car playing games you typically see being played on text messages (truth or dare, 21 questions, etc). Even though Kayla uses digital platforms to connect with people, the movie also examines her feelings of isolation and the risks associated with using online resources for communication. Overall, her online and offline lives are contrasted to highlight how digital media affects her social well-being.
Great reflection on Kayla's experiences in Eighth Grade! Your analysis effectively captures the paradox of maintaining an active online presence while facing challenges in real-life social situations. The point about constant comparison on social media contributing to Kayla's anxiety is particularly resonant, illustrating the impact of digital platforms on self-esteem. Your observation that Kayla feels more at ease in digital communication than face-to-face brings out a crucial aspect of the social anxiety prevalent in the digital age. Overall, your post offers a thoughtful exploration of how the movie contrasts Kayla's online and offline lives, highlighting the complexities of how digital media influences social well-being. Great insights!
ReplyDeleteHi Victor,
ReplyDeleteI appreciate your feedback.
Also, I am discussing the domestication of technology, I just never mentioned it by name. Essentially, technology had been so intertwined into Kayla's life that the positive and negative effects of digital media became normal for her.
ReplyDeleteHi Dante, I think you assessed the domestication of technology throughout the film well! I think that the others in Kayla's class also feel the same way towards the reliance on technology and social media. It may not be to the same extent as Kayla in terms of her anxious feelings during a face-to-face conversation with her classmates. However we can see the everyday use and reliance on technology of the others during the scenes when Kayla tries to talk to Aiden when they are hiding under their desks and Aiden is only semi-listening to Kayla's words while staring undistracted at his phone. I think this film reflects the struggles and feelings of the younger generations now days very well. While I did have few social media apps in eighth grade, I am glad I don't have to experience the seamless integration of technology and social media as a young child now days.
ReplyDeleteHi Hannah,
DeleteThanks for your feedback. And I completely agree with what you said about experiencing the seamless integration of technology in today's day and age. Young children these days are introduced to numerous forms of media and technology which, from what I can tell, may cause more harm to their futures than good.
Hello Dante
ReplyDeleteGreat post! You acknowledge the challenges Kayla faces with social media and personal anxiety. The contrast between her confident online presence and real-life struggles is well-captured. Your post effectively shows how constant social media comparison adds to her feelings of unworthiness. I liked how you explored her reliance on digital communication and used the scene with the older boy playing games with Kayla in his car, which typically sees being played on text messages like (truth or dare, 21 questions, etc.), as an example. Overall, it's a compelling analysis of how digital media impacts Kayla's social well-being—well done!
Great job shaping Kayla's reality and expressing the duality of her real life versus online presence. It is true that Kayla clings to her phone and the life she lives on social media to ease her own mind at times, because in real life she finds it difficult to be confident whereas through her video blog she can give advice on things in an open manner. The duality of this rises the question of how being different online versus how a person acts in-person may effect a persons sense of identity. Digital media as you stated, affects Kayla's social wellbeing and a part of this may be that she has two different identities she portrays; her in-person being and her online being.
ReplyDeleteGreat post dante
ReplyDeleteI was thinking a lot about isolation and using technology to not feel isolated. I would argue that the more you use social media makes you more isolated as you are no longer having in person interactions no more. You might feel that you are more connected but in treality you might not be. I think that social media is a great tool to stay to connected but if you are doing all of your connections through social media that might not be beneficial as could hurt your mental health and make you feel even lonely and more isolated. Great post and thank you for making me think of this concept as it really opened my eyes.