Socially Interactive Technology Connects the Online World with Reality

In today's blog, I do some research of my own and cover youth relationships and technology, cyberbullying in the news, and the main issues we have with diffusing the problem. 

I became interested in this topic after hearing my eleven year old sister talk about interacting with her friends via their iPhones. Research and experts show that virtual play is impacting physical adolescent interaction- in both good and bad ways. While the social groups that adolescents are forming may be becoming closer, this also increases the ability for being “left out”. Gone are the days of being left out on the playground, and in is being left out of an iPhone group message. Either because they don't have the latest technology, or if they do, the misuse of social media and applications are increasing the rate of cyberbullying. 

Socially Interactive Technologies are making social groups more tight-knit.

Much research has been done in order to identify the impact that growing up in an age of technology has one the younger generations, specifically with personal relationships. Communication has been studied to see if people hold conversations differently in person than they do online. 

What are identified as SITs (Socially Interactive Technologies), such as texting, IMing, etc. are used among social groups as a platform to form relationships and make plans. A 2006 study found that 48% of youth felt that they use the internet to “improve” their relationships with friends. 

Even with such statistics, it is still questioned about how strong these social ties are. The study concludes with the question: “Are adolescents creating more, but weaker, ties using SITs?” An interesting discussion point made by the study for statistic variation is that the possibility of someone finding out who they listed as their “friends” (for instant messaging) may have discouraged people to participate. It is instances like this that are on the premises of peer pressure.

Jason Farman, assistant professor of American Studies and Digital Cultures and Creativity, explains that these SIT platforms bridge a gap between something mental and physical. Farman says that though the relationships are cyber-based, that does not mean they do not impact the person in reality. 

Online personas crossover to reality.

It’s the connection to reality that begins to cause problems when someone gets emotionally abused on this cyber-platform. The issue being that not only is the online persona being attacked, the human psyche is also affected.

Over the past two or so years, it has become prevalent that cyberbullying is advancing with technology. Originally, it began under the preconceptions of social networking (MySpace, Facebook, blogs, etc.), as identified by a 2010 article by NBC about Louisiana’s bill to ban cyberbullying. (The bill was passed). However, Representative Gary Smith makes a valid point- we have to be cautious of those who don’t mean to be “malicious”.  With the increase in smart phones being obtained by younger generations, technological harassment is becoming more of an issue.

Farman gives his insight on the matter, referring to the reality and online platforms as "spaces". He brings up the concern about how these social media sites are being used and in our discussion off camera, we also explored this issue further. Since kids are growing up with this technology, on occasion, they don't know the correct use of it.

"There isn't a separation between a distinct physical world and this world of online social media"

A reporter for The South End writes about how “Bullying leaves school halls [and] goes digital”. The main point of her article is to expand awareness on the outbreak of cyberbullying- the more modern version of getting shoved into a locker. Since communicating over the internet has become possible, it has been a liability, but the problem stands with this new term, “digital natives”. Children are “growing up in the age of rapidly advancing technology” which just fuels the technological harrassment.

Bridging the gap and staying informed.

A main concern about the harassment is that there is such a large technological gap between children and parents, so many parents are unaware that this is even an issue.

Cyberbullying: Bullying in the Digital Age is one of the many research books that have been published in order to raise awareness. It’s authors preface that the book is not only for prevention, but to “empower” parents to talk with their kids so that the enjoyable experience of technology is not ruined by such a malicious thing. Since cyberbullying is so different from school bullying, many studies have been done examining the actual “bullies” themselves. A recent 2012 study distinguishes different characteristics between bullies and victims, proving that it is not just a silent issue, but one that is psychologically lasting. 

So to decrease the threat of cyberbullying that can lead to drastic manners such as even suicide, parents are advised to keep note of these attitude changes, but to also inform their kids- not only of cyberbullying as an issue, but also of the appropriate use of these applications.

What do you think?

Not only is technological threat taking away the enjoyment of something so innocent, but it blurs the lines of our First Amendment.

How do you think cyberbullying can be regulated, if at all?

Cousin Over Skype Gives Opinion On Adolescents and Technology

listen to ‘Cousin Over Skype Gives Opinion On Adolescents and Technology’ on Audioboo

I Skyped an 18 year old cousin to ask her opinion on my topic since she has younger siblings.

The Impact of Technology on Child Development

I became interested in how, with society's large focus on technology, it is impacting child adolescence. I met with an expert and we discussed the increase in cyberbullying and the change in their interaction with each other.

The basis of the research project is an interest in the development of young kids with all of their technology these days. Rather than playing in the neighborhood until the street lights come on, there seems to be a trend on staying in and talking on cell phones (of which are iPhones). So are kids being bullied for not having the most recent technology? Or if they have it, do they get bullied via it because children don't know how to use it correctly? And is all of this "mature technology" that they are using advancing their social skills or regressing it?

Thoughts on Cyberbully
Is it the new 'being shoved in a locker'?

Are Children More Mentally Advanced?
Is it really a thirteen going on thirty situation these days?

A College Senior Says 'Yes' to Blended Courses

listen to ‘How do you feel about a technology blended course?’ on Audioboo

A Colleague Explains His Opinion on iPads

listen to ‘Why would or wouldn't you want an iPad?’ on Audioboo

Digital Divide on Who Uses What Technology

In 2007, there were arguments that the world is divided between people who own computers and internet and those who do not. Now, the "digital divide" is between people who use their smart phone for main internet usage and people who still mainly use their home computers.

As we innovate, are more people left out of the “dark”?

I find it interesting that in Kevin Guidry’s (of Indiana University) article from 2007, the data collected showed that nearly a third of college campus students do not own a computer, respectively taking in factors. I would find that same statistic hard to believe today at UMD.

I guess in a day like today where lives revolve around the internet, more people live life in the light of their technological screen(s). So the new debate on a digital divide is who uses each technology for what. A statistical analysis done most recently claims that 31% of smart phone owners say that they mostly go online via their phone and not via computer- these people are called “cell-mostly internet users”.

As in Guidry’s piece, those who did not have internet access at home were grouped as black or hispanic. In the new “digital divide” study, the same ethic groups are the highest  cell owners who go online on their phones because they do not have an internet source at home.

The future to come

I think if these patterns persist, eventually we as people will have a digital divide between those with the latest tech gadget (such as Google glasses) and those with solely smart phones. Keeping with the trends, it doesn’t seem that computers will around much longer. Maybe a more tangible future is the divide between people with desktops and people with laptops.

Digital divides will always be a conflict in the U.S. as long as there are multiple options and people who can’t afford those other options.

I was shocked to find the large number of websites dedicated to the digital divide. Get informed!

I Always Knew 'Dad Knows Best'

Okay, so I’m usually not one to put my two cents in on anything pertaining laws, bills, etc., but when it gets in the way of my love for social media, I have a few things to say. Apparently, until last January, it was legal for companies and prospective employers to ask for -and use- passwords of prospective employees’ social media sites. And not only this, but universities were allowed to ask for the same from prospective students. All I can say is blasphemy! 

My dad is constantly telling me to monitor what I share on my social media sites (Twitter, Facebook, Tumblr, Instagram), but only because we heard from a family friend that his company checks out prospective employees on these sites to see how professional they are. Never did I think that companies would be able to ask for (and borderline DEMAND!) something so private as a password.

(Image courtesy of)

I will agree with my father that people, especially my generation, should be cautious of what we post online. I’ve heard that the internet is a elephant- it never forgets! The generation of twenty-somethings is infamously known for having the best times. But I would never want a picture from a night out to cost me my dream job. I think that companies have the right to search us online because if we are putting all of this stuff on the web for people to look at, we should be prepared for this. But never did I sign up in acceptance of someone being able to look at my personal messages, etc. and basing a character judgement on that.

I think this whole “checking everyone out on Facebook” is also a fluid subject and based on different positions. As a student pursuing a career in Public Relations, as I apply to internships based around social media with companies, it makes sense that they would want my Twitter, Tumblr, or Instagram link because it’s basically a self reference. I do not think positions based around Engineering or Biology should require the same demands. 

Fueled by the fire that is this debate, I have been looking online (ironic) for more information on this subject. I found a site called The Next Web, basically a news site for anything pertaining to social media and the WorldWide Web. In April, they posted an article with percentages relating to companies “checking you out” on Facebook. If their math is right, only twelve percent of employers that use Facebook to look up candidates use it to find reasons to not hire. Definitely a reassuring number. I’ll say one thing though, I am ecstatic that my hometown state was the first to pass a law against the use of personal passwords for hiring research. Keep Calm and Post On.

Testing, Testing

Well, here's my first post on my newly created professional blog! Can't wait to fill this baby out and get it rolling...


More to come!