Technology is integrated into society much faster than
research on its side effects. Social media is a very popular, and now
essential, aspect of most people's lives. It allows people to
re-connect with/re-discover family, friends and colleagues. Revolution,
such as the "Arab Spring", definitely are fuelled by and benefit from
social media. Social media applications have several benefits, but people,
especially young people use it recklessly and are oblivious of the consequences.
With the integration of social media into modern society, the
tradition meaning or understanding of relationships, such as friendship, has
changed. There is some research on the effects of social media on relationships
of all sorts. There is evidence that reckless use of social media increases the
chances of divorce. More youth are developing an addiction to the internet
because of social media. They are constantly bombarded with information which
takes over their lives.
Now even employers are using social media to attract
talented employees. They are hoping to adapt to the current trends but they
fail to see that they are contributing to a social problem in western society.
The negative consequences of irresponsibility are numerous.
This CBC documentary, Doc Zone's Facebook
Follies, CBC.ca illustrates the negative consequences of social media.
I believe that media literacy courses in elementary school
must be redefined to incorporate social media into their curriculum. When I was
in elementary school, I found media literacy courses as one of my biggest waste
of time because we were being taught "how to use the internet" or
other trivial skills. Most of us were better than our teachers these the skills
there were teaching. Most parents are unaware of what their children are
involved in so are unable to provide the right education at home. However,
educators such as teachers are well versed in their students habits and are
well equipped to provide the correct education at the correct age.
