Blog Project Assignment Description

Social media has changed the life of many people, it’s so advanced and quick at this day in age it’s frightening to imagine what the future holds. I believe technology and media is at a current stage where it could make you or break you. Meaning it’s very distracting especially for teenagers and young parents, and it’s not being used to benefit them instead it’s causing their brains to work slower. The internet could be used to answer any question of yours that come to mind, a great study tool, online banking and shopping through the internet, social networking that keeps communication as frequent as you please, etc. Explaining the top ten thing s concerning new media that people using the media should be aware of could be difficult to narrow down to only ten, but I can get across the main points and explain why people should be aware. A recent study revealed that 94% of teenagers have at least one social networking account.  

1.     To begin with a important negative people should be aware of are the number of kids that might be on social media websites without their parents knowledge.  There are over 7.5 million preteens on Facebook – 5 million of whom are on Facebook and under the age of 10.  That means that more than 38% of total Facebook users are under the age of 13 (Friend Guard).  This is important because many of these kids tend to lie about their age, and that can cause danger if they speak to the wrong people on these online sites, such as rapist or pedophiles who aren’t easy to point out online. Regardless of whether parents think that their children are participating on social media sites or not, it is best that parents have frank discussions with their children about social media and online safety.

2.      Children posting a lot of personal information on these social networks isn’t a good idea. Data shows that 45% of teens post their school name and location online, 50% post their real age, and 41% post the city in which they live (Fire guards). Multiple reasons that personal information shouldn’t be shared on social networks, for one people end up finding out to much of your whereabouts and track you down, which can be dangerous. Two, for people who post inappropriate images online or degrading information, you can be tracked or black-mailed because your information is online. The schools or companies you worked at are listed on your profile, they are legible to look your name up and see things that don’t relate to what they meant to search up. It’s dangerous to share to much information online because it could ruin you in the future.

3.     A positive effect concerning new media that people using media should be aware of is how fast the news can be found online, even through your social networks. News sites, and any other companies you could think of network on these online sites we use.  Twitter is one of the social networks that update by the minute, with news and whoever your choice of interest obtains. For example When Michael Jackson passed, news of his death was all over.  Flooding the timeline with opinion tweets acknowledging the legend, the website temporarily crashed (Examiner). Same for Nelson Mandela, both times of two tragedy’s the news on a social network moved faster than a news reporter on T.V was able to spread the information.

4.     Social media can also increase your business profits and this is information people using social media should be aware of.  Many people make personal accounts on networks for personal blogging and posts,  not so much of business but everyone is still online surfing the net and chatting.  These changes and current movements should not be taken for granted by people involved in whatever kinds of businesses. One specific sector is Healthcare, with more competition coming due to government breakup (obamacare) social media is critical for deep customer/patient engagement (New Media Wise). Viewing this online, seen as advertisement can influence more people especially young adults to apply for health insurance and take advantage of the serious matter. Another example is advertising fashion. Posting pictures of your clothes or clothing you tend to sell can either bring you sales profit or increase popularity, influencing other people to buy some outfits you where from these brands.

5.     What many people don’t know about social media, is that it can lead to anxiety and depression for children.  A lot of young people now base their self worth on how many followers they have, likes they get, or comments their posts receives.  Many children now shape their lives and identities around how well-received these will be on their active social media sites (Friends Guard).  Some of my friends are in this category because they want to be online famous, a major focus on the wrong material, leads to failing school, and a lack of focus in life . We need to focus on what’s important on these networks such as helpful information, and networking for businesses or better communication with others.

6.     Teens care about privacy from parents is a negative impact I disagree with. When I was young, I felt teenagers deserved the most privacy but in fact, parents viewing your social sites actually benefit and could prevent you from talking to strange adults or viewing a profile that shouldn’t be seen at whatever age.  A lot of kids have at least one older relative online; not to mention the volumes of parents who join Facebook each day( Fire Guard).  This makes kids look for networks their parents aren’t on such as Kik and instagram. The up to date social sites for teenagers and young adults.

7.     Social media can casue offline implications for children. Twenty-five percent of children have experienced an interaction on social media that resulted in a face-to-face argument. In fact, 22% of children have been involved in an interaction on social media sites that ended a friendship (Fire Guard). I too was involved in miscommunication online, which resulted into mini altercations at school around junior high-school years. Half the time a group of people know so what stirs up the controversy is the instigation around it, as well as both opponents don’t want to be embarrassed around their friends or bullied.  These are also things that parent’s wouldn’t know about and reasons why you should view your child’s social network sites frequently.

8.     When it comes to relationships with friends, more than half (52%) of teens said social media has made them better versus just 4% who said it has negatively affected those relationships  (CNN). A positive light on social media is bringing teenagers and their relationship with people closer than what it was. Since everyone in your school practically is on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram, your able to add the people you know from school or your neighborhood. You find out more about them reading their posts, and seeing pictures they post, increasing or decreasing your point of view of the individual.

9.     Law enforcement uses Social networking sites to catch and prosecute criminals. 67% of federal, state, and local law enforcement professionals surveyed think "social media helps solve crimes more quickly (Social Networking).”  This is beneficial because it’s more likely for Law enforcement to catch pedophiles and criminals who surf the web and cause trouble online. This is what parents should enforce because half the time they don’t know or see what their child is doing online. The other half is telling the difference between a teenagers, pedophiles, and adults profile page.

10.  Last but not least, Social networking sites help students do better at school statistics show. 59% of students with access to the Internet report that they use social networking sites to discuss educational topics and 50% use the sites to talk about school assignments (Social Networking).  If the media is used properly, students could work better in school.  The internet is so advanced and fast that your able to find almost anything in less than a minute, typing a google search each topic results in a million plus results.

Work Cited:

·      Fire Guard  Social media can cause offline implications for Children Top 5 Things Parents Don’t Know Their Kids Social Media  8 August 2013

·      Fire Guard Young Children might be on Social media without Parent’s knowledge 8 August 2013

·      Fire Guard  Children post a lot of personal information on social media sites 8 August 2013

·      Fire Guard  Social Media use can lead to Anxiety and depression   Top 5 Things Parents Don’t know their Kids Social Media 8 August 2013

·      Fire Guard  Teens care more about Privacy from their parents  Top 5 things Parents don’t know their kids Social Media  8 August 2013

·      Pro Con  Social Networking Sites  Social Networking   12 December 2013

·      Pro Con Social Networking Sites Social networking sites help students do better at school.  Social Networking 12 December 2013

·      Pro Con Social Networking sites Law enforcement uses social networking sites to catch and prosecute criminals 12 December 2013

·       Wallace, Kelly The Upside of Selfies  Social Media isn’t all bad for kids  CNN         22 November 2013

·      New Media Wise  Internet & How it is Related  to Social Media  Internet and Social Media sites for your Business 1 November 2012