Blog Post #2 - Cam
Technological Determinism
Kayla, the main character featured in the film Eighth Grade, encounters a dramatic, yet common experience with digital media technologies, and shapes her life through this medium. As Kayla experiences severe social anxiety with face-to-face encounters, she turns to social media, as a way to experience discourse and converse with her online peers. Technological determinism is a perspective that is extremely relevant in the case of Kayla in Eighth Grade. It creates the notion that digital media, in this case, determines and shapes the reality in which Kayla exists. Kayla's social presence would not exist if it were not for digital media platforms such as YouTube, and Instagram. Let's turn to anxiety. With the introduction of digital media platforms also emerged an additional external layer of anxiety for individuals who utilize these platforms. Especially in Kayla’s situation, the interactivity of these digital platforms created a chaotic and harmful environment, which caused her to create a deep emotional connection with the function of these platforms. Being emotionally bound to social media platforms like Kayla poses a significant risk to the psychology of users, and as observed in the film, this connection can lead to harmful self-criticism and the destruction of self-esteem. The interactivity of these platforms provides ease to societal determinants such as cyber-bullying, and misinformation, and presents you to a much larger audience than one is exposed to in their day-to-day lives. In the particular scene, we observed in class, it can be seen how she is also exposed to a new way to interact with the opposite gender, creating a heightened level of anxiety. In this particular scene, we can see how her over-indulgence in stalking her crush creates a moment of anxiety and embarrassment when she is interrupted by her father. Ultimately the perspective of technological determinism aids students in understanding how Kayla's life was shaped by digital technologies.
Hi Cam! This post was a great way to incorporate technological determinism into the film Eighth Grade. It is very interesting that you mention how digital media has essentially shaped Kayla's reality and this relation to the anxiety that can come with that. I think it is important to look at how Kayla had struggled with in-person interaction so social media was what she turned to, but it ended up backfiring and causing her more harm than good. This is essential when looking at how social media can negatively affect a person's mental health because of how important it is to be able to have normal human interaction in the real world. Do you think that the dependence that young individuals have on social media has recently caused a major decline in mental health, especially after the pandemic?
ReplyDeleteHi Cam! Thank you for your insightful analysis of Kayla's journey in Eighth Grade and the influence of digital media on her life. You've effectively highlighted how social platforms shape Kayla's reality and exacerbate her social anxiety, emphasizing the concept of technological determinism. The scene with her crush underscores the complexities of digital interactions and the risks of overindulgence. Indeed, digital platforms not only offer solace but also amplify societal pressures and anxieties, as seen in Kayla's experiences with cyberbullying and self-esteem issues. To mitigate these challenges, fostering digital literacy and promoting responsible online behaviour are crucial. Moreover, society must cultivate empathy and support for individuals navigating the digital landscape.
ReplyDeleteAs we delve deeper into the implications of technological determinism, we're prompted to reflect on how we can foster healthier relationships with digital media while safeguarding mental well-being. Thank you for initiating this important conversation, and I'm eager to explore these themes further with you.