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Social Media in the World Today

Social media has become a large part of our everyday lives. We use social media not only for personal use but for professional use as well. Various types of social media have created their own societies and these societies are often widespread with little to no common understanding of what is expected of each user. “Non-governmental organizations (NGOs), as part of a larger civil society, play a key role in providing the space for increased interactions among individuals within a community, and such interactions are essential for building strong communities and relationships within society” (Armstrong, & Butcher, 2018). Not having social norms in these settings has created confusion and environments where people are not sure what is acceptable or appropriate. As we develop these applications it is important to create cultures where users have mutual understanding about what is acceptable, and how each user may be affected. When internet users create content, they are usually not as concerned with demographic factors, such as, gender, race, or socioeconomic class like they would be in person. Instead, online communication is more about the content itself, and the meaning of the content. Gender, race, and socioeconomic classes still exist on the internet, but people are generally less cognizant of these factors.

Professionals

There are professional social media sites where people have already begun to create a society of what is acceptable. It is interesting to see how people act on a professional site like LinkedIn compared to a personal site like Facebook. People that go on professional sites already understand what is socially acceptable in these environments because they know what is acceptable in real life, but on other forms of social media it is not so easy to understand.

Even though professional sites have a more structured system of what is acceptable on their sites, it can still be difficult for anyone that is communicating across different cultural or socioeconomic backgrounds. Because they do not all share the same professional norms, though, even with these differences the expected actions of a professional setting help in avoiding certain types of conflict that someone might find on a personal site like Facebook.

Personal

When looking at how people act on social media sites like Facebook and Twitter it is easy to see that social norms for these sites have not yet been fully developed. These environments are international, meaning that people from many cultural backgrounds are all communicating at once, and this can have both benefits and drawbacks. The benefit to this environment is that it allows people from different races, classes, and genders to create and share content that provides each other with different perspectives on life. The drawback is that people are not used to these different ways of thinking and it can cause them to become hostile because they may find each other to be over aggressive or insensitive. This has to do with the environment these people grew up in and what their cultural societal norms are.

For example, in individualistic societies it is okay for people to be direct with each other where in other cultures people would find this extremely rude and offensive. Therefore, it is important that people learn to start understanding that these forms of social media are incorporating many cultures and that people generally are not meaning to be harsh to one another. Therefore, learning to create a more acceptable and inclusive environment where people are not so harsh on each other should be a goal of these social media platforms.

The Difference

Generally, people in professional environments all over the world understand that respect and appropriate behavior are expected in these environments so there are less issues within professional social media sites. However, since there is no real culture or expectations on personal social media sites, we end up seeing a lot riskier behavior. When people see each other as rude or offensive it breeds an environment where people do not care as much about what each other thinks and this can be dangerous. Sometimes “social networks constitute platforms through which hateful rhetoric is spread and normalized and minority groups are systematically targeted, thereby affecting today’s world on a micro (individual), meso (group) and macro (societal) level” (Alkiviadou, 2019), and this is one reason why it is important for people to learn to be more sensitive to the cultural ways of others.

Conclusion

Social media has become a large part of our everyday lives and we must understand the impacts these environments can have on our ways of thinking. As we engage with other people, we can learn more about them. This can be very beneficial because it allows people to better understand each other. However, when we do not understand each other, it can cause a hostile environment where people feel offensive and aggressive towards each other. Being able to understand how race, gender, and class are easily misunderstood online, and how these aspects impact society will help us to understand how online societies are different from the real world. Societies in the real world rely on gender, class, and race, and other demographic factors, for queues on social norms. Though, when these factors are removed from a particular social media user’s setting it can cause uncertainty and unstable environments. Being able to create a new online social structure is key to maintaining an online environment where people understand what is acceptable.

References:

Armstrong, C., & Butcher, C. (2018). Digital Civil Society: How Nigerian NGOs Utilize Social Media Platforms. International Journal of Politics, Culture, and Society, 31(3), 251. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10767-017-9268-4

Alkiviadou, N. (2019). Hate speech on social media networks: towards a regulatory framework? Information & Communications Technology Law, 28(1), 19–35. https://doi.org/10.1080/13600834.2018.1494417

Dijk, J. v. (2012). The network society (3rd ed.). SAGE Publications.

https://bibliu.com/app/#/view/books/9781446289990/epub/OEBPS/halftitle.html#page_2

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Computer-Mediated Communication

Our friends, family, and country are connected today more than ever before, and this has been made possible through computer-mediated communication. Arguably nothing has had a bigger impact on the global coronavirus pandemic than this form of communication. From YouTube videos, to news channels reporting the latest mask mandates, to posts on social media, computer mediated communication was at the center of this communication. News quickly spread about this virus on all forms of media. Some of the information was extremely beneficial, but computer mediated communication also provided an outlet for inaccurate information as well. This type of communication has also been used to express a person’s political views, and making the virus political made it more difficult to keep people protected. The local news station in Washington state reported saying, “The question of masks has been politicized but Inslee said it's about using tools to get the infection rate down” ("Coronavirus: Statewide Mandatory Face Covering Order Now In Effect", n.d). This was the governor's attempt to help people understand that he was trying to help protect them and not remove their freedom. Exploring how collective action around social stances has impacted people during the pandemic, and how the media outlets reported it, is an important part of understanding how computer-mediated communication affects our everyday lives.

Desired action

Being able to use technology during this pandemic has helped immensely. Without technology, it would have taken much more time to notify everyone of the deadly Coronavirus and many more people would have contracted the virus and potentially died. Due to technology the government and media were able to share information quickly and urge people to act.

Mobile tools

Mobile tools also helped people during the pandemic. They allowed people to stay informed about restrictions, vaccines, and the reopening phases. There was also an option on people’s cell phones that was made available to help them track if they had been near someone who tested positive for the virus. One way that mobile tools negatively affected communication is by social media. Social media provides an outlet for propaganda and the spread of false information. When people fail to validate their sources and the credibility of those sources it can cause them to believe myths about the virus and vaccine. By not doing the proper research could cause the virus to spread more easily.

Larger Movement/Agenda

Throughout the pandemic societies across the world have focused on getting a vaccine created and having people take that vaccine, in hopes that life can get back to normal. When people make vaccines into a political stance it can have harsh impacts, people who have always gotten vaccinated are choosing not to and this virus is very devastating. Technology has both helped and hurt people throughout this pandemic, and it has become more obvious how impactful this technology can be.

Types of mass media

Urging people to act during the pandemic has been reported in many ways. Physical signs were put up and business locations requiring people to wear masks, the news reported on television letting people know about mask mandates in their state. Online news reports also wrote content aimed and informing people about the effectiveness of masks and why they are important. The signs that businesses posted outside their establishment are provided a visual type of media letting people know that the masks were required. News on television talked about the importance of wearing a mask and why they were required. The online news reports often talked about the effectiveness of masks, scientific research, and what types of masks to use. Each type of media was aimed at promoting the wearing of masks but did so in different ways depending on their audiences. “States with the lowest levels of mask adherence were most likely to have high COVID-19 rates in the subsequent month, independent of mask policy or demographic factors” (Fischer, et al., 2021).

Consuming News Online

When it comes to news consumption I personally either hear stories from my social media or news app on my Roku television and research any stories I am interested in. When the news is reported it is generally done with little information and should be taken lightly. Generally, the news media is sharing information as it comes to them, and then as they dig further into a story, they report their findings. However, I often find stories with little to no information and must research topics on my own to get facts from credible sources about their reports.

Newspaper, TV, and Radio

When we consume news from different outlets, they have different demographics and ways of making profits and this can change how they report on a story. When you read a story in a newspaper, they know their demographic is generally focused on facts and the data because they are reading the information and it is entertained and this can mean they need to provide information and visuals that keep a person focused on their stories. The radio can gauge their demographics a little easier, but their stories must be short and to the important to keep their attention. When something is reported on the television reporters must keep people's points because if they are not, they risk the listener changing the station. On the radio “The listener passively accepts a large amount of input information and cannot listen to the information according to his/her personal preferences” (Li & Chen, 2021). Therefore, the radio often provides incentives for listing, such as winning gift cards. They also sometimes let you know what song is coming up next to keep you on the line.

Information and Life Balance

Computer-mediated communication (CMC) has affected the way we exchange information in many ways, sometimes for the better and some for the worst. One thing that we gain from CMC is the ability to share widespread information quickly and this can be very important in things like a pandemic. However, sometimes this technology makes reporters share information before having all the facts. When reporters use to only share stories in newspapers and on local television, they had time to gather data and verify their stories, but now that has changed because of the way information is shared. If reporters were to take the time to validate their sources and their stories it would be old news because it is possible that other news outlets or social networks would have already shared that information. Therefore, the media has adapted to sharing information as it is received and then building on the story as it unfolds.

Mobile technology has made me more interested in the news because it can be accessed at any time. Growing up we had to watch the television at a specific time to get the news and this was more restrictive. Currently, we can get information at any time and this is a big benefit to computer-mediated technology. However, sometimes the news can be depressing because it generally only shares stories that will get people's attention and these stories are mostly about negative and devastating information. Being able to access this information at any time could have a large impact on a person if they choose to view it too often because it can cause them to see life negatively.

The more we use computer-mediated communication the more our worlds start to interweave with each other and there are benefits to keeping things separate so there is balance in our world views. When visuals are provided in a media message, they can create a deeper meaning that people can relate to, but they can also create emotions in a person that they are not aware of. Therefore, people who create these messages should be aware of the impacts they can have on their viewers.

Conclusion

As we learn more about the positive and negative effects computer-mediated communication can have on a person it is important to ensure we are using them to our benefit. Being able to understand the impacts of the media will ensure that people are aware of the validity of their stories and when they should research things further. Every form of media has benefits and drawbacks but generally being more connected is beneficial because it allows people to find information.

 References

Coronavirus: Statewide mandatory face covering order now in effect(n.d). https://www.kiro7.com/news/local/gov-inslee-announces-statewide-mandatory-face-covering-order/64EMYNZROFDYFLP3WPQEMJ3L6M/

Dijk, J. v. (2012). The network society (3rd ed.). SAGE Publications.

https://bibliu.com/app/#/view/books/9781446289990/epub/OEBPS/halftitle.html#page_2

Li, H., & Chen, C.-H. (2021). Effect of the Affordances of the FM New Media Communication Interface Design for Smartphones. Sensors (Basel, Switzerland), 21(2). https://doi.org/10.3390/s21020384

Fischer, C. B., Adrien, N., Silguero, J. J., Hopper, J. J., Chowdhury, A. I., & Werler, M. M. (2021). Mask adherence and rate of COVID-19 across the United States. PLoS ONE, 16(4), 1–10. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0249891

[communicationrocks]

Computer Mediated Communication

Daily Impacts

Computer-mediated communication is a part of our daily lives and we are constantly using it. The term computer-mediated communication refers to any communication using technology, such as phones, computers, and laptops. I personally find myself using each of these types of communication daily. At work I send and receive emails on a desktop computer, at home I use my laptop to go to college and view social media, and I use my cell phone to text my friends and family. Computer-mediated communication has become a part of my everyday life and have become a part of my daily life. Technology has become essential and is an important part of communicate in the world today.

Since of Community

These types of communication have made it possible for like-minded people to find each other, and this helps them to create a type of community and connection. Overall computer-mediated communication is beneficial to society and enhances our way of life. Being connected allows us to think about things from different perspectives and to connect with like-minded people. This can be especially beneficial for smaller groups of people that need to find a connection with others. For example, a person who immigrated to the United States from another country can connect with people from their culture using computer-mediated communication. This also helps them to connect with family and other people with similar views. This is a very important part of who we are as human beings, and people need to be able to find a sense of belonging to have a fulfilled in life.

However, computer-mediated communication can also provide a location that allows the spread of myths, hate speech,  propaganda, and conspiracies. This is where computer-mediated communication can be damaging because these types of communities are at times considered dangerous and harmful to society. There are both advantages and disadvantages to computer-mediated communication but overall, it can be very beneficial when used appropriately.

Privacy

When using computer-mediated communication to send and receive messages it is important to understand these are public forums, meaning that your conversations are generally not private. There are some ways to reduce the risk of exposure and to counteract the misuse of your private information. One way is to install anti-virus protection software on your computer that detects any threats because this will help to protect documents saved on your computer. It is also important to look at a website's address before clicking on it to determine its credibility. When signing up for sites it is important to read the privacy statement and terms and conditions carefully. This will help you to determine how much information you want to disclose on the site. It is also generally a good idea to have two email addresses, one for important things that need to remain private, and one for rewards cards and general discounts. This will help you to prevent someone from getting into a private email and gathering important information about you. It is also important to remain private when joining a public Wi-Fi network. This will help to try and secure your information, but these types of networks can be risky to use because they are accessed by many people. This is because anyone that is connected to that network can attempt to access your information.

As human beings, we have a right to privacy, but unfortunately "In the age of surveillance from the state and private Internet communications companies, for an individual to protect their privacy or to remain obscure is now becoming almost impossible" (Humble, 2020). That is why it is important to take as many steps as possible to protect your privacy. The best guideline is to generally assume that anything shared via technology is public information and should be assumed as such. Only once you have properly evaluated a website's privacy policy to confirm the information will remain secure and private should you communicate under that assumption.

Provides Leverage

In the future, it is possible that people's information could be leveraged against them. When someone knows intimate and personal information about you it could have damaging impacts on your life. Therefore, it is important to understand how sharing too much information can be dangerous. Organizations share and sell consumers information, and they are consistently building a profile of who you are. Once this profile has become large enough, they can develop assumptions about who you are. Having this profile built about someone provides people with leverage, and this can be used to influence a person without their knowledge. Understanding this concept will help you be aware of how impactful sharing too much information can truly be.

Face to Face

Face-to-face communication becomes more difficult as we continue to use more computer-mediated communication. This is because computer-mediated communication provides us with time to think about our replies and reactions before sharing them. However, in-person, that time is significantly decreased, and this can cause miscommunications. Learning how to communicate on the spot and in person is a useful tool and helps people to build better relationships. When we communicate in person we are stimulated by the other person's presence, a certain connection that can be felt, and this is simply not possible when communicating through other means. I feel lucky that I am continuously communicating with people in person daily for work or I feel that these skills would be further impacted. Younger people in the world today communicate mostly via text and this is a growing concern amongst the skilled communicators of the world. We must make it a priority to include all forms of communication into our daily lives to feel fulfilled and connected with others.

References:

Humble, K. P. (2020). Human Rights, International Law, and the Right to        Privacy. Journal of Internet Law, 23(12), 1–23.

Dijk, J. v. (2012). The network society (3rd ed.). SAGE Publications.

https://bibliu.com/app/#/view/books/9781446289990/epub/OEBPS/halftitle.html#page_2

Solove, D. J. (2021). The Myth of the Privacy Paradox. George Washington Law Review Arguendo, 89(1), 1–51.