This post was actually an assignment so it will deviate somewhat from the norm. It is, however, a topic that is important in modern
society and interesting to know. I will be discussing some of the effects of
social networking on society, and as each of y’all are currently reading this
blog post, I can say with confidence that it will pertain to your life in some
way.
The first article I read on
this matter was “The Positive Impact of Social Networking Sites On Society.”
This article discussed the obvious reasons social media is a good thing. It
allows people to keep in touch with family and friends who may live in a
completely different state. With these sites, a person can know more than just
the overview of how a relative or long lost friend’s life has been going that
they would receive in a phone call- they are able to see pictures of baby
cousins, or new boyfriends or even keep up with how their volleyball season is
going. Social networking allows people to stay in touch with the world, build
strong relationships, and have faster communication.
The second article, “The
Effects of Social Networking Upon Society,” mainly looked at the negative
effects. This author mentioned how human interaction is suffering because
people are used to their only contact with others being on the web. She also
said that bullying has become easier and more convenient. Cyber bullying can be
done from the comfort of one’s own home, so people who normally wouldn’t be
able to bully someone to their face will simply post a picture or a status
about someone on the Internet for the world to see. Also this author discussed
how teenagers don’t know how to handle these sites responsibly. They post
pictures of themselves drinking or smoking underage, or showing sexual content
that cannot be taken back after posted. These can ruin a future with a click of
the mouse.
My take on this issue is
somewhat neutral: I agree with both articles even though they seem to
contradict. Social Networking in itself is a good thing- it’s the users that
make it bad. When used right, it allows people to stay in touch and communicate
quicker and more conveniently. However, just like in real life, it’s when
people step outside the boundaries that things start going south. The second
author summed up my view at the end of her article. She said social networking
should “only be used as a tool.”
Now, onto the actual basis of my blog. Volleyball players can learn a lot by
using social media. They can find ways to better their skills and find drills
to work on, and can also ask a group of friends to go
practice with them. The Internet cannot give them the skills though, only the advice needed to produce them. This means they cannot spend all their time on social networking instead of practicing or their volleyball skills will suffer.
From a Christian
standpoint, social networking effects still depend on the user. If someone is
spending so much time on social media sites that they don’t have time for God,
there’s something wrong. Or, if they are doing things on social media that
aren’t pleasing to God, then that’s also not good. However, when used
appropriately social media can be a good way to share your faith with others,
or can even just be a positive example of how to live your life in social media
as well as in the real world.
Should It Take a Website to "Follow Your Interests"?
Photo Credit: Britannica Image Quest
Photo Credit: Britannica Image Quest
No comments:
Post a Comment