Social Networking - Welcome to the Digital Age

Tweeting, blogging, check-ins, pinning, and posting have all become common words in our vocabulary. Social networking is a big part of society now, and it comes in many different mediums. It has even reached the music world through networks like Spotify. How is social networking changing the way we interact? More importantly, how is it changing people? What are students who are immersed in social media going to grow up to be like? In an article by  Phil Treagus, the support for social networking as it applies to education is made. I can agree with many of his points. Teachers should be on social media networks. It’s at the forefront of communication and is a great way to connect with students. Having a blog for a classroom, a Facebook page, or a twitter account is a great way for students to stay connected. Video and online learning is also helpful for students. There are many interesting assignments that incorporate social media sites like Facebook or twitter as well. Social media is the new way to impact students in education, but what are the other affects?

- Steve Averill; ocbizblog.com

 In another article by Joel Windels, social media is compared to a form of drug addiction. In a way, I agree with this idea. Because I have an I-phone, I check my Facebook and twitter accounts probably 10 times a day if not more.  I feel like it keeps me up to date with what my friends are doing and what is going on in, specifically, the music department. It also allows me to let people know how I am feeling and what I am doing. Windels makes the point that people spend 81 hours a year on Facebook, and spend up to 80% of that time talking about themselves.  The infographic also illustrates the idea of people liking our ideas and seeing us in a good light rewarding our brain in the same way that most drugs do. So, is our generation and future generation dealing with a social network addiction?

I have seen the negative effects of social networking first hand. While out at dinner with friends, I looked around the table and noticed that everyone at point was on their phone scrolling Facebook or twitter instead of being engaged in the conversation that was going on around them. I've also noticed that people seem very concerned with making it seem like they are having a lot of fun by posting on social networks even if they aren't  So, social media breeds narcissism. Don’t get me wrong; I do believe that social networking can provide great ways to keep in touch with family and friends. I recently reconnected with my best friend from 4^th grade who moved. It can help you find and get jobs, and it is also helpful in education. However, it can be addicting. It is making society more all about the self, rather than what they can do for others, and it appears to decrease awareness. So continue your tweeting, pinning, and posting, but don’t forget about the world that is outside of the computer screen.

Happy Reading!

the world and everything in it -- Matt Johnson

- Britannica Image Quest

-Bryant Arnold, Cartoon A Day.com

- "Music's Not My Forte" - An Original Song by 4@4