iGeneration

SOCIAL MEDIA 101 

 

Throughout researching social media I have found that, Although social media can provide many benefits for communication of pre teens, it can also have negative effects and risks, the most prominent is self development. Social media is booming and here to stay. Pre teens and children are constantly communicating through social networking, unlike their parents did as children. The parents of today's children may have a cell phone and participate in social media, but they did not grow up with it. The levels social media has crossed are unbelievable. Making plans and getting directions are accessed by on click or a request to the iPhone's "Siri." Social media has an immense impact on development and communication. I would like to inform those who aren't familiar and those who think they are on the history, sites, and recent statistics. Along with Strom's article and my thoughts, "The purpose of this site is to examine child and adolescent social networking with an emphasis on how this unprecedented form of communication can be used as a resource that contributes to healthy growth and development." (Strom 1) 

 

What is it?

 

In the article Social Network Sites: Definition, History, and Scholarship, social networking sites are defined as web-based services that allow individuals to (1)construct a public or semi-public profile within a bounded system, (2) articulate lists of other users with whom they share a connection, and (3) view and traverse their list of connections and those made by others within the system. The nature and nomenclature of these connections may vary from site to site. (Boyd 211)

 

History of social media sites:

 

In 1971, the first email was delivered. In 1985, the America Online (AOL) service opened. AOL was used for instant messaging and emailing. In 2003, MySpace became the hit site for online communication. "MySpace differed itself by regularly adding features based on user demand. (Boyd 217) MySpace began attracting attention from the media and people world wide started signing up.  In 2006, Facebook and Twitter entered the cyber world. Facebook was originally created for students at Harvard College, but now it has 1.1 billion users world wide. MySpace was the most popular social network in 2006, but Facebook took the lead in 2008. The current top social media sites for pre teens are: Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat, and Facebook. The descriptions of each site are located on the slideshow below. To read about a specific site, click on its icon.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What is going on?

 

Pre teens and teens regularly use the internet, cell phones, and media to share information and communicate with one another. The ability to interact with others is the unique feature of social media with provides powerful new ways for teens to create and navigate their social environments. (Goldstein 1) Teens use of social media occurs simultaneously with their developing identity, emerging sexuality, physical development, and moral consciousness. Significant changes are transforming the socialization of children. There is increasing reliance on technology tools for communicating online with friends and strangers. (Strom 3) Networking is also allowing users to have relationships with strangers and that is becoming a safety issue. 

 

Profiles: Creating a profile allows users to generate information regarding their age, location, and interests. Because the users are in control of their own sites, they can make up whatever they'd like. Beyond profiles , users can share photos, videos, and instant messages. Children are documenting personal experiences by recording events capturing their attention and expressing their feelings. According to Boyd and Ellison's article, "Profiles are unique pages where one can type oneself into being" (Sunden, 2003, p.3) (211)

 

Age restrictions: 

 

Facebook has 800 million subscribers and the average user has 130 friends. Because of the enormous appeal, many children lie about their age in order to get on Facebook. Consumer reports magazine (2011) found that more than 7 million active users of Facebook were under the minimum required age of 13. Further, over 5 million users were 10 years old or younger. Not only are youth lying about their age but they do so with the support of their parents who appear unconcerned about involvement.  Roughly 18 percent of parents of pre teen users made their child a Facebook friend. (Strom 2)