Social Networking and Society- Is it time to log off?
Our society has definitely turned into a “global village” that is continuously wired or connected to some sort of device. Even as I go to write this paper, I find myself glancing at my phone for new text messages, checking e-mails, and changing the song playing on my iPod. This is the new way of our world. We are constantly multi-tasking and no longer function without our media tools close at hand. In my Communication in Society class, we discussed the following quote by Walter Ong: “Technologies are not mere exterior aids but also interior transformations of consciousness.” I agree with Ong’s comment. Technology has far exceeded its original professional uses and has seeped into our personal lives. Social networking sites in particular, are found at the forefront of this media technology epidemic. I found a report online from last April that stated Facebook having 200 million users. I think it is safe to assume, at this point, the Facebook population is even larger. There is an exponential increase in the number of accounts made on social networking sites every day. This online phenomenon interests me because it is something that is used by the masses, myself included, and is currently reaching people all around the world. Something this huge has definitely resulted in a change in the way society communicates, thinks, and interacts with one another.
Some of us may try to argue that we don’t have an addiction to Facebook or that we don’t really need our social networking sites. However, I believe we can all see a glimpse of ourselves in the following excerpt I found online: “So, what's the deal between you and Facebook? Some days ago, you felt cornered by it, like it was damaging your real relationships, like it was chocking your real life. So you bid your 546 Facebook friends goodbye with one last poke, stating mood unhappy and left the virtual world with a swift click of your mouse. You did it for the sake of your marriage, for the sake of your life in general. The virtual death of your Facebook profile, of a profile you had been creating for so long, systematically and methodically, was peaceful, yet abrupt. But so was its resurrection. Less than two weeks later, you were active and sound again” (Pomoni). The escape from social networking, in this media-centered age, is next to impossible. As we saw in the “Digital Nation” documentary, it has affected each of us in the behavioral, attitudinal, and cognitive arenas. Nowadays, a relationship isn’t legitimate unless it is listed on your profile and dubbed “Facebook official.” Privacy is a thing of the past as outsiders now have access to your personal pictures and conversations. Communication may seem easier to people who can type and post things they normally wouldn’t say in person. We have online friends we’ve only met once in real life, upload and tag pictures after every social gathering, spend time composing comments to friends, download applications and pages, join groups, RSVP to events, and waste hours upon hours searching people and then examining all of their recent Facebook activity. I feel like even when we aren’t logged on to our social network, we are still thinking about it and even talking about things we saw on various pages. It is sad, but true. I am just as guilty as the next person for falling victim to Facebook's powers. I know it has affected the way I communicate and think. For example, from my personal experience, I sometimes just rather Facebook message someone to ask a question rather than meeting them in person or calling them. I also enjoy looking at photo albums on Facebook and spend a vast amount of time browsing through and sharing pictures with friends. Facebook has become my “go-to” procrastination tool. Avoiding work, I surf from one Facebook profile to another. My friends and I have coined this pastime as “facebook-stalking,” as we sit in the living room and chat about whose saying what to who, who was tagged in a new picture, who has a strange status posted and more.
The effects of social media/networking are obvious and through both research and experience, I have noticed that its biggest influence has been on interpersonal communication and relationships. Interpersonal communication entails an emotional and psychological closeness (Booth-Butterfield). When you are interpersonally communicating you tend to have an element of openness with the other person and communicate freely, beyond the expected societal roles. This type of communication has several principles that lead and build to interpersonal relationships (Booth-Butterfield). The principles and essentials to interpersonal communication and relationships mainly apply to face-to-face interactions so it interesting to observe the toll Facebook, social media, and other social networking sites have taken on this particular facet. There are two opposing opinions on whether social networking has had a positive or a negative effect on the interpersonal world. One view is that the development of different sites, such as Facebook, has improved relationships between people who can’t necessarily be together as much as they would like to. In numerous long-distance relationships, and friendships, it helps individuals to stay in touch and keep up to date with each other’s lives. However, these cases usually require a relationship to already be established between the two people involved. In these situations, social networks are simply a tool for the individuals to continue to take part in the deep and personalized emotional and psychological level of interpersonal communication while they are separated by distance. On the other hand, people who use social networking as a means for meeting new people could find it easier to reach this intimate level of interpersonal communication through the internet, but may not necessarily be able to translate this ability to their real life interactions. It is clear that a heavy reliance on social networking communication hinders face-to-face interpersonal abilities. The most free, open and special level of interpersonal communication involves being able to see the non-verbal and verbal cues of another while communicating with them. Without body language, tone, or more the interpersonal communication that takes place will lack in value. Developing actual friendships and relationships that include the use of close interpersonal communication will be proven difficult for those who can’t break beyond the computer screen barrier. The younger generation’s ability to hold conversations, and properly socialize, will be especially delayed due to their excessive use of social networking. Overall, my discoveries show it is undeniable that society’s use of social networking has permanently changed the interpersonal world.
Social networking sites are growing in popularity and will probably be long-lasting. In today’s world, we are going to have to expand and modernize our definition and understanding of interpersonal communication and relationships to include these online media interactions. However, I think it is safe to assume that the real psychological and emotional connection, made when communicating on the intimate interpersonal level, is of more substance when it takes place face-to-face and not behind the curtain of social networks. I believe that our consciousness has definitely been transformed. The way we talk, behave, process information, and live has been modified by becoming a part of this online community. Society has become quite different since that fateful day in 2005 when the most popular social networking site, Facebook, was launched and a race of social networking zombies was born. It will be interesting to see what the future of social media and social networking has in store.
References:
Booth-Butterfield, M. (2002). Interpersonal Essentials. Boston: Pearson Education, Inc.
Pomoni, C. (2009). The Negative Effects of Facebook. Retrieved February 7, 2010, from http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/1946970/the_negative_effects_of_facebook.ht ml?cat=15
