danah boyd (2007). "Why Youth (Heart) Social Network Sites: The Role of Networked Publics in Teenage Social Life." MacArthur Foundation Series on Digital Learning - Youth, Identity, and Digital Media Volume (ed. David Buckingham). Cambridge, MA: MIT Press, pp. 119-142.
danah boyd does a wonderful job discussing how teens feel about using social networking sites such as Friendster, Myspace, or Facebook. In her article she poses some very important questions that are important to think about when looking at teenagers and social networking sites. “Why do teenagers flock to these sites? What are they expressing on them? How do these sites fit into their lives? What are they learning from their participation” Are these online activities like face-to-face friendships- or are they different or complementary” boyds primary focus was to illustrate how teens are accessing these social networking sites now. I often wonder if technology is separating us more as a people or bringing us closer together. I think that this question still really doesn’t have an answer. I see myself and have changed positions numerous times. According to boyd one of the most important reasons given to her was “Cuz that’s where my friends are.” In an earlier piece written by boyd & Ellision they give a great definition of what a social networking site is. “Social network sites are web-based services that allow individuals to (1) construct a public or semi-public profile within a bounded system, (2) articulate a list of other users with whom they share a connection, and (3) view and traverse their list of connections and those made by others within the system.” Teens are on social networking sites to be social. They want to continue to have interactions with people all of the time. I think they like to see that they have hundreds of friends on Facebook. With these sites teens are able to truly pick who they want to be one of their “friends”. I do have reservations about social networking sites. I ask myself after watching the news about bullying occurring on these sites, or information shared on these sites that goes viral on the web. There seem to be more cases of teens committing suicide after something is said or a shown about them that might be true or not. I am still on the fence about social networking and look forward to hearing your point of view about them.
Reference:
danah boyd and Nicole Ellison (2007, October). "Social Network Sites: Definition, History, and Scholarship." Journal of Computer-Mediated Communication, 13 (1), article 11.
You wrote that you still have reservations about social networking sites because of some of the negative influences that you have heard about in the news. As I read about social networking internet sites, I was reminded that social networks do exist apart from the online scene. In fact, social networks existed long before the Internet! ALL of those “negative” effects attributed to social networking sites have actually been in existence far longer than MySpace, Facebook, etc. Do you think these social networking sites are blamed for more than they should be?
ReplyDeleteI know that offline bullying and suicide are issues. Do you think the online social networking scene makes it easier for these to continue? Are the online social networking sites to blame? Who should step in and mediate these online behaviors? Parents? School officials?
I, like you, have some reservations about the educational value of social networks. Do you think there is a place for this tool in your classroom?
Michael,
ReplyDeleteYour statement, " I often wonder if technology is separating us more as a people or bringing us closer together," has made me think. I also wrote about the restrictive nature of social networking. Is there potential for more isolation in society through social networking? I ask this question because I have seen teens struggling with actual fact-to-face communication as well with the social dynamics of live relationships. They tend to struggle with articulation and conversations. So I, too have some reservations about the question of whether social networks are separating us as human beings.
Michael, Larinee, Kim,
ReplyDeleteThese are some excellent issues raised through your respective blogs and the discussion on Michael's site.
I really found it interesting that Larinee challenged our assumptions that social networking has existed only as technology developed. In the same way she questions whether or not we are incorrectly blaming the object rather than the lack of ethical direction (Myspace vs. the actual bullying), I believe we should question whether or not these sites are to blame for limiting the dynamics of live relationships. I think most teens have trouble with this anyway... I know I did. My husband and I had an acquaintance who shot himself in high school...
This is similar to blaming the heavy metal music for the Colombine tragedy -- way too simplistic. In what way does media play a role, and yet, at what point does critical thinking, reason, inquiry lead us to acknowledge other facets as well or to reckon the societal forces at work.
On a personal note, I like Facebook and feel it has provided a great space for our cohort. Just as there are dangers of us all going out to a bar in Las Cruces over the summer, getting drunk and letting TMI go, so there are dangers online of exposing TMI or of reading into a person and developing a rigid conception of who they are and what they encapsulate. Do you feel like the complexity of adding a new dimension to social networking and communication antes up the complexity of how to respond? This was my thinking...
Hi everyone,
ReplyDeleteExcellent points. I dont think there is ever one simple answer to place to blame. It usually is many things or reasons. I too have found Facebook to be a great space for communicating. I do wonder though is it better for older students. It was started for college students first. I know some of my 5th graders are getting on, which I dont think is right. Are high school students mature enough to handle it? I also wonder if we are still leaving a large amount of people out of game. I would love to see real world numbers on rural students, low ses students, hispanic students etc...I think having the conversation has been great and I thank you for your comments.