CS 371 W 24 Blog Post Assignment #2
Blog Post #1
There is a Spotify playlist called “Homegrown” which I listen to very often because of the amount of artists and their songs that are included in it. I am a big fan of country music and the playlist contains many of the artists that I enjoy, such as Sam Barber, Zach Bryan, Josh Meloy, etc. This playlist has a variety of different types of songs that I would listen to while completing many tasks throughout the day. I like to listen to a pretty wide range of songs and “Homegrown” is a great playlist for that. I know many people here do not listen to country music, but if so, I really recommend this playlist!
If we consider the social anxiety associated with the interactivity of digital media, we can analyze how individuals, like Kayla, may experience challenges in navigating online interactions. For instance, in Eighth Grade, Kayla faces the pressure to conform to social expectations and portray herself in a certain way through her online presence. The film illustrates how constant interaction on social media platforms can contribute to feelings of inadequacy, the fear of missing out (FOMO), and the need for peer validation.
ReplyDeleteFrom a theoretical perspective, we can relate this to the social construction of technology. The anxiety arises not just from the inherent qualities of the digital media itself but from the socially constructed norms and expectations surrounding its use. The platforms, algorithms, and social dynamics shape how individuals perceive themselves and others digitally.
Moreover, sparse social cues in digital interactions can lead to authenticity-impression challenges. Without the non-verbal cues present in face-to-face communication, individuals like Kayla may struggle to discern the sincerity or intentions behind online interactions, which can contribute to heightened anxiety.
In conclusion, the social construction of technology perspective helps us understand how the anxiety surrounding the interactivity of new digital media is evidenced in the experiences of individuals like Kayla in Eighth Grade. The film highlights the impact of social expectations, constructed through online platforms, on personal well-being and the complexities of navigating digital relationships.
The report on “Canadians’ assessments of social media in their lives” proves a well-known narrative of how technology and social media have their dark sides on human health and emotion. Individuals aged 15 to 64 were examined and reported having felt negative effects of using social media including lost sleep, trouble concentrating on tasks or activities, less physical activity, feeling anxious or depressed, feeling envious of the lives of others, and feeling frustrated or angry. The younger cohort ranging from 15 to 34 reported having felt all the six negative effects more than the older cohort.
ReplyDeleteTechnology allows for instant communication. We use it in our daily lives, for example, to make calls, chat, watch videos, take pictures, and listen to music. From a very young age, teenagers are now able to access platforms where a lot is said and shown. It can be overwhelming for them to understand ways of life, to understand that not everything is true, and worse, to fall victim to cyberbullying. Technology is adversely influencing human thought and actions. It reduces and also replaces physical interaction. As social media use rises steadily, the importance of in-person relationships eventually diminishes. Undoubtedly, social media, a technological innovation, has both inadvertently alienated us and brought people closer together.
Eighth grade does a great job of capturing the pervasive anxieties associated with digital media, specifically with social media through the eyes of Kayla. The movie explored the challenges of social cues and interactivity in the digital age. Kayla's struggle with online and offline interactions take place against the context of a sort of conflict between authenticity and the curated self presented on social media. The portrayal of her digital persons as well as the clear distinction with her real life anxieties, highlights the overarching theme of authenticity and internal conflict. while the movie does explicitly address academic perspectives it does reflect the issues raised by Baym illustrating how the interactive nature of digital media exacerbates both personal and social anxieties.
ReplyDeleteIn the movie when Kayla struggles with the multidimensional impact of digital media on her life, navigating the complex world of online interactions and the pressures of social expectations. the technology isn't portrayed as a determinstice force influencing her behavior. But instead, as a tool she actively uses, reflecting the power that people have when it comes to managing these technologies. additionally the movie subtly depicts the domestication of technology, showing how Kaylas use of digital media becomes integrated and normalized into her daily routine. Kayla uses her vlogs to reconcile and share her experiences, embodying the complex relationship people have with the medium that shapes and reflects herself and her anxieties in the digital age.
Hi Kali,
DeleteYou discuss in your post how the film illustrates the difficulties associated with social interaction that comes with using social media. And it’s true. Kayla is a young teenager who grew up with technology. Teenagers like her are increasingly dependent on social media for connecting with people and experiencing different kinds of feelings, while not embracing and understanding reality first. Her dad does try to have conversations with her and show her that there are other ways of interacting with people outside the internet, but it is not effective. It only serves to highlight the harm that these social media platforms cause and how entrenched they are in our lives.
Blog post #2
ReplyDeleteThe article by the Guardian highlights the complicated outcomes of social media on young people. These issues range from body image, low self-esteem, negative impact on well-being, comparison and anxiety. Even though these companies often dismiss or brush over these issues, the harmful discourses surrounding social media are still relevant today. These issues reflect technological determinism in the sense that social media platforms such as Instagram have the ability to shape the psychological and social experiences of users, especially those at a young age. The way that the platform Instagram is set up, such as algorithms, influencers, edited photos, filters, and idealized lifestyles, all contribute to the way anxiety is spread throughout users' experiences. Therefore I think that while society has collectively contributed to the way in which we use social media, continuing a cycle of anxiety and issues, it is also through technological determinism that these issues have come about. The technology of social media is, to a certain extent, designed to shape and distort our self-perception and reality, and for some able to manipulate them into feeling like others and their own online presence/image are more important/better than their real-life experiences.
Hey Brynn,
DeleteThere’s that part in your post where you say how society is to blame and it is true. Of course, I do feel like other people in society are to blame more than others such as the big corporates who you mention who “brush over these issues.” The truth is that we made these technologies, we created these social media platforms, and they inadvertently changed us, in ways that weren’t foreseeable. However, the fact is that technology has displaced human nature and distorted our minds to constantly check our phones when they light up. Technology and social media platforms continue to contribute to the ever-growing anxieties that plague people’s lives.
Hello Brynn, I found your reflection on the impact of social media on young people's mental health incredibly enlightening. You effectively delivered the complex ways in which platforms such as Instagram impact our self-perception, leading to feelings of anxiety and low self-esteem. Furthermore, I found your recognition of societal pressures mixed with the role of technology in shaping experiences online spot on. These discussions and types of conversations are significant in creating digital environments that prioritize well-being and encourage users to engage mindfully with social media. I can definitely relate to what you've shared. There have been numerous times when I've logged onto Instagram and felt a wave of anxiety as a result of comparing myself to other people's pictures that portray their best selves. It's easy to get caught up in comparing ourselves to these curated images and feeling like we fall short in comparison. It's a reminder of the importance of being mindful of how we consume social media and recognizing its impact on our mental well-being.
DeleteWe saw a clip of the movie "Eighth Grade" in class last week, and through Kayla's experiences, we were able to see signs of anxiety related to the interactive nature of new digital media. Throughout the movie, Kayla struggles with the challenges of growing up in the digital age, as most of her social interactions take place on screens and online. Among the scenes that stand out are Kayla frantically going through her social media feeds, comparing herself to others, and looking for likes and comments to validate her appearance. As Baym notes, the anxiety surrounding authenticity in digital interactions is reflected in the constant pressure to present a curated version of oneself online. Kayla's difficulty interpreting social cues in the virtual world, where conversations frequently lack the subtle cues that are present in in-person interactions, highlights the difficulties presented by the interactive nature of modern digital media. Kayla's experiences in "Eighth Grade" serve as a poignant portrayal of the anxieties surrounding the interactivity of new digital media, echoing Baym's arguments about the challenges posed by sparse social cues and the impact on individual well-being and relationships.
ReplyDelete