Blog post 7

This week in class we discussed the effects social media can have on peer pressuring people (children in particular) to conform to certain behaviors. Kids are very impressionable so when they see their peers or even other social media stars engaging in certain activities, they are likely to try it as well. This can have very negative consequences when the behaviors involve smoking, doing drugs, drinking alcohol, or other disorderly conduct. Most of the articles focused on the negative aspects, but if the influenced is unbiased in terms of good versus bad, then I say we look at the positive things that can come from this. People can be motivated if they see their “friends” on social media volunteering in the community, working out, or pursing their goals in life. It would be nice if social media could regulate the content on its feed so that illegal or largely held socially unacceptable actions could be blocked. However, this would be a difficult task since it would infringe upon the freedoms of speech and individuality that the platform facilitates.

The other topic covered in class was whether social media has stripped people of their privacy. Many people on social media sites are guilty of oversharing information that would normally, in generations previous, be considered private news not to be shared with the general public. I agree that a lot of people post way too much information about themselves, but that is their choice. If they want to have an open life with everyone watching them then that’s their decision. I think it’s wrong for people to sit back and say that they are sharing too much information and that it’s not good for them. If you are bothered by it than just unfollow them, don’t judge them because you are uncomfortable sharing something that they are. Social media may be changing the way people live and share their lives and how we think of privacy may be changed, but this doesn’t mean it’s a bad thing.