There
is no doubt or confusion as to why Generation Y has been called the Social Media
generation, as we are characteristically known for our increased dependence
upon technology as opposed to raw human-contact. This can be seen as having
both positive and negative effects on an adolescents development, however it is
widely accepted that social media communication may “pose more threats than benefits to adolescents” (Zheng,
Burrow-Sanchez, Drew, 2010) in regards to social development and identity
formation.
Whilst
traditional understanding of adolescent involvement with social media devices
can be seen as through it as an emerged popular culture in which they choose to
interact, it would seem unjust to simply label it as so. Studies done by Robert
Zheng and company (2010) have found that social media has become a prevalent
routine activity taken part in daily by teens, with 80% of our generation
participating in social media daily (Ishbel Macleod, 2013), unsurprisingly 12%
logging on even when on the toilet.
The
real issue with this is that teens are now shaping their identity through and from their interaction with these media technologies, be this self-formulated online
identities or their physical ones.
Students identify
with these objects, and first hand experience has allowed me to see the
negative effects this could have on an individual. Anonymity as well as the
chance to develop your own identity from the start leaves adolescents facing a
clear split in identity – what we identify ourselves online, as opposed to
physically.
Other
clear negatives reveal that adolescent dependence upon the Internet has seen
the rise of Cyber Bullying, unwanted exposure to content and images usually
under rating systems, as well as social issues and anxiety that have left teens
feeling disconnected towards others physically. This relationship with media
technologies has also been seen as having detrimental effects on a child’s
attitude towards education and school attendance (Zheng, Sanchez & Drew, 2010).
The banning of mobile phone’s in a punchbowl girls High School recently raised
the point that although phone usage during breaks were discouraged, the school
acknowledged that they were a “normal part of modern life," being a societal act in which they
can’t help but take part. Their cause for banning phone usage highlighted the
fears that teens are “losing
the art of conversation” due
to such immediate and emotionless response through social media, as well as
their way of offering easy distraction (The West Australian, 2013). Abolishing
such things however seem difficult, due to constant involvement in media
technologies in every aspect of a teens life. The only clear way for teachers to attack
the issue of social media’s effects on adolescents is gain a better
understanding into the issue, a recent example being Victoria’s ‘Social Media
Guide’ that seeks to provide teachers with understanding into Social Media and
it’s affects on student development.
Whilst
generally popular cultures can be used as an advantage in the classroom in
regards to better results (Collins
2012), social media creates a certain barrier. As Wadham, Pudsey and Boyd raise
the point that our identities are tied with what we consume, (2007) students act
through how social media teaches them to act. Whilst implementing media
technologies such as youtube and blogger may help teachers to level with
students and engage them in deeper activites and tasks, the distractions and
issues with it out weigh the positives.
http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/a/-/wa/19570730/school-bans-phones-at-breaks/
http://www.thedrum.com/news/2013/09/26/infographic-80-gen-y-log-social-media-daily-12-logging-while-toilet
Collins,
Karen. (2012). ‘Strategies for using pop culture in sport psychology and
coaching Education’. Journal of Physical Education, Recreation & Dance,
83(8), 20-23.
Zheng, R., Sanchez, J. J., & Drew, C. J.
(2010). Adolescent online social communication and behavior relationship
formation on the Internet. Hershey, PA: Information Science Reference.
http://www.education.vic.gov.au/school/principals/spag/governance/pages/socialmedia.aspx
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