Like most millennials, I live and breathe social media. I can’t eat an expensive Restaurant Week meal without posting it on snapchat, I can’t see a beautiful sunset without posting it on Instagram, and I can’t really be friends with someone if it’s not “Facebook official.”
Source: Arielle Lana LeJarde
I’m in a relationship, but ironically enough, 99% of my time on Reddit is to frequent a subreddit dedicated to singles needing help with online dating. I was single when I first subscribed, but I guess as a self-proclaimed “Michael Jordan of dating apps,” I continue to stay a part of this online community.
It made me think of a discussion we had in class about how social media has changed the quality and quantity of our interactions. My classmates argued that social media has, in fact, ruined it because it has made our generation much more awkward in real life. Sorry, classmates, but I strongly disagree. Like Couldry’s social oriented media theory that hones in on the “processes that media constitutes and enables,” social media can definitely be used to help as long as you use it in the right ways.
With the invention of dating apps, people like me who can be super shy when it comes to approaching people in real life, can gain the confidence to message people and be more charming online first so that when I finally do meet with someone in person, those jitters are calmed down.
Social media has given me confidence in my abilities to be witty and charming on the spot, not only online, but in real life. Without Tinder, I probably would be dating the guy I’m dating now.
Two questions: 1) Why do you believe that social media is making us less of social animals than more, if its sole purpose is to interact when we’re not face-to-face? 2) How do you think social media has affected the power relations amongst those our age?
I totally agree with your position that if we use new media in the right way, we can obtain great results. I’m on the same page as you are. I’m shy when it comes to talk to other people, (specially if you like that person) but if you contact them for example through facebook, now you can “poke” them. If you get a “poke” back then you can maybe establish a conversation, if not then you get the hint that they are not probably into you. But at least you have an idea , rather than just never talk to that person at all in real life because of the fear to been rejected for example. So media definitely help us to build relationships with others if we know how to use it in a positive way. C.M.
Interesting story girl. Unlike you, I am the kind of person who does not like to meet people on social media. It maybe sounds weird, but I am not used to this and I do not trust on these apps. Nevertheless, I have many friends who use dating apps and have found their love ones. Actually, one of my best friends met her husband on one of the dating apps and now they have a baby girl. My point here is that whether or not I like these idea, I agree with you that the new media is creating different platforms to communicate and create relationships. I do not see anything wrong with the new idea of meeting people. As you mentioned dating apps are helpful for shy people. So I think the new media era is shaping the way to communicate and begin relationships. I wonder how would be in 10 years from now.
Very interesting read, and I do agree with you that social media has actually not ruined communication/ social interaction. I really do feel that it has connected people on a stronger level than was ever achieved in the past. Many people just default to saying that it ruins relationships with people because of the overuse of smartphones etc., but it gives you an outlet to always keep in contact with them. It’s interesting to see the prospective of someone else who is on the other side of the argument, good job!
Hello guys.
I enjoy reading the post and your comments as well. So what I’ll say is that I also agree with you that it might have positive effects if you use it intelligently and not let it control you. You have to be the one who controls it.
As for myself I try to do that and use it effectively, but it is difficult sometimes because it is kind of addictive and there are so many things that are distractive and not valuable.
Hey al160380,
I thought it was very interesting that you showed your point of view, although majority of the class thought other wise. I think the reason why some people might say that social media is making us less of social even if the whole purpose is to connect each other, is because of two reasons. First I do agree with you social media can help us create and develop our social skills, but it can also destry them, if one just mainly relies on connecting with other through a device instead of face-to-face. The other reason is because it seems like peopler are becoming more superficial because of social media, some people might only value themselves because of the amount of likes or followers they have. But I am there are people like you who understand this platforms and that used them the right way.
I can relate to your point of view, but unlike you I have not been able to successfully meet someone online and I gave up. But after reading your post I feel like giving it another chance.