Effect of Social Media on Young Adults - Essay Example

? Effect of Social Media on Young Adults Effect of social media on young adult’s social and political activism globally Social media had impacted greatly on young adult’s social and political activism globally. This trend has been observed only a few years ago. As with change in technology, media effect, globalization, cultural changes and changing trends of society this effect had become more evident. In order to measure the extent of social media impact it is important to understand various approaches towards these changes and identify which feature has the greatest impact of all on youth. Globalization is defined by Jennifer (2001) as a process with both opportunities and threats and the effect of globalization has been explained by United Nations: Youth Information Network (2000) ‘Young people are particularly affected by globalization because their transition to adulthood has become more difficult’ Jennifer (2001) explained globalization in view of many researchers and non western academics is a form of western ethnocentrism which has affected culture and life styles and contributed towards the erosion of national culture. According to World Youth Report (2003) globalization is a double edged sword with certain economic benefits but these benefits have associated cost with them. It has also been mentioned that there are certain advantages and disadvantages associated with globalization also effect the youth. Sociologist specializing in youth affairs are of the fact that young people are at the forefront of social and economic changes explained given in World Youth Report (2003). It has also been observed that young people are in process of establishing identity, and globalization on the other hand intensifies social division, thus creating an environment of threat for young adults to be segregated. Therefore it is important to understand their needs, experiences and concepts associated with various things, this will facilitate their involvement in the process of globalization and it will act as a positive force in young adult’s life. Unpredictability is another feature of globalization which provokes disorders in national economies and into young people lives as explained by Ken Roberts. The transition of young people in labor market was observed in East and West but in East young people don’t find any direction towards which they should move this ambiguity and uncertainty varies according to cultural and social contexts. This is the reason that it is observed less in West as compared to the East. This un- certainty however can be minimized by providing them vocational education and training in post compulsory secondary schools explained by Peter Kelly. But the advantages associated with globalization to youth cannot be ignored, as due to globalization they have better access to information and other youth groups globally. Globalization has played active role in the integration of diverse cultures. As youth from different cultures come together and join fan pages of various hip hop music and joining that group results in the formation of small subculture in which youth from various cultures are interacting. This phenomena has also been explained by Richard Kahn and Douglas Kellner by stating that global youth culture as an interdisciplinary category which has been used by theorist to analyze the complex cultural forms which have developed because of media and other communication forms such as internet. With responding to new media trends and actively participating towards the content of various broadcast mediums they are considered to be cultural logic of advanced capital states (Kahn and Keller). This is the reason that youth culture is being criticized by many experts and termed it as ethnocentric. On the other side there is another school of thought who considers this culture as postmodern diversity and combination of new cultural forms and styles. Therefore trend has been observed towards the amalgamation of characteristics of both cultures which is now considered as universal culture. In which no fashion is considered as fashion a person (youth) can wear anything can follow any trend according to his choice. No difference is considered among high and low culture and there is a policy of pick and mix mentality. This change and resistance to global styles is because of the power of global media. According to Steven Kirsh there are times when human’s vulnerability towards images increases and this is mostly during the time of adolescent because this is the time of development of one’s identity and exploring unknown areas. At this stage media becomes the best friend who can help them in exploring and answering to their queries. It has been observed that media has different effects in different time of development. Kirsh says that media also provides a reinforcing factor it may not be creating or increasing sexual desires but can be risky towards the reinforcement of these believes. Another important phenomenon which cannot be ignored when talking about the effect of social media especially on youth and this is moral panic. It is considered as an important reaction towards communication. Moral panic refers to the exaggerated reaction of media towards any event. This may be the case which is being reported by media but the way it is reported increase the general anxiety and concerns among people. Cohen (1972) explains that sometimes panic passes over and is forgotten but sometimes it leaves long lasting effects with serious repercussions. He explains the example of postwar panic in Britain over different forms of youth culture whose behavior were different from their society including The Teddy Boys, Rockers etc. Youth in those groups were considered to be very distinctive and different from other groups. This generalized belief about the particular group of people was spread by mass media. It was also mentioned that only media is not responsible for developing this belief there are certain other factors that also play their role in creating this image and these people are those who witnessed this group of people and reaction of police who were there to control that group of youth. Jewkes (2004, p 67) explains that moral panic occurs during the period of social change and anxiety, and young people are usual target of moral panics whose behavior explains the health or sickness of the society. There are many other examples of youthful behavior which are considered to be the cause of moral panic. The most recent example is of hoodies culture. It is the style of dress which is worn by youth it includes hooded shirts or hoodies. Hoods on the jackets are seen for quite some long time and it was normal for people to wear these types of shirts. This style became popular during 1970’s as part of hi hop music scene. According to Internet Journal of Criminology, 2011(p;11) during 1990 this hoody culture was associated with disaffected working class of youth and in 2005 it became the top news of press and public and they were referring it as “hoody culture”. In UK it has been portrayed by media as such a culture that it was banned from most of the shopping malls. This move was welcomed by some people and opposed by other group of people. The news of banning of hoody excited media for comments and debate. According to many researchers the idea of banning hooded shirts was wrong as they don’t see anything wrong in wearing shirts with hoods but once this issue catches media’s attention it became part of wider concern for everyone. This culture was portrayed in media as a hostile and more towards anti social acts. According to them “hoody culture is in response to the problem not a problem itself “Cameron (2006). Therefore media panic and hype of this culture should not be created. The most recent example of media panic was observed in London riots, although the role of social media in creating a situation cannot be ignored because the plan was made by young adults either through black berry, twitter or on face book mentioned in Mail online(8th August 2011). Also it was observed that mobile phones were weaponized in spreading where to target next Butcher (2011). Young adults are affected by social media to such explained by Scotland Yard that youngest among all captured in offense of rioting was only seven years old. Thus social media has its radical impacts not only on young adults but also on children of small age. Social media has played key role in coordinating violence among youth. Social media has also great potential to bring socio political change. The example of bringing socio political change on African continent is the most recent and effective example. Revolution in Tunisia and Egypt in 2010/2011 was organized and supported by social media websites explained by Narnia Bohler-Muller and Charl van der Merwe (2011) With the advancement in technology opportunities have also increased. . For example new technological development “life streaming” refers to the un interrupted broadcasting of information and events through digital sets of media. With the help of this technology more people can coordinate and communicate and unite on a platform for a common cause. It has been observed that most of the movements whose plan was made on social websites appeared to be successful. Revolutions in Tunisia and in Egypt were result of these social media based tools. Although government of these countries restricted websites when followed the trend but Google came up with new tool ‘speak to tweet’ Narnia Bohler-Muller and Charl van der Merwe (2011) According to Rim Nour (2010) the revolution in Tunisia was driven by the people of Tunisia and their social, political and economic condition. The social media and online world played significant role in fulfilling their struggle. Nour (2010) mentioned four roles of social media which played important role in bringing change in Tunisia. Firstly it mobilizes people at grass root level, played role in organizing rise of civil society and active citizenship, helped to act wisely against media and moral panics and facilitate people to analyze government statements. Tunisian revolution was fuelled due to the social media if it had not been the case revolution may not occur so drastically. There is a difference between the revolutionary movements carried in past and today’s century. Historically movements began with gathering people and discussion of their common problems. But now social media help people to interact share information. From the revolutions observed in Tunisia and Egypt it has become evident that youth are globally connected Narnia Bohler-Muller and Charl van der Merwe (2011) and see democracy as part of their identity as people deserving a say in government. Study by Forrester Research found that the media is incorporated in the life of youth at a rapid rate than any other thing. There are about 44million youth in America only ranging between the age of (18-29).Therefore there is huge potential for political parties to target youth through social mediums. From the effects of media it become evident that social media played important role in bringing revolution in many countries, therefore there is an opportunity for political parties to use this medium as a tool for mobilizing and engaging their youth in trusting political system. Bernett (2008) explains that adults in today’s world are multi-taskers, digital natives and super communicators who have developed mediums to find information of their choice and interest. Despite of all the above facts one common thing that is observed by researchers in global youth is that their political beliefs are less defined shows lack of stability when compared to adults. Therefore political parties can take advantage of social media in targeting young adults. Everything in a society has its positive and negative implications. This essay has explained the negative effects of media on youth’s social and political activities but it will not be appropriate if positive effects of media are ignored it has the ability to encourage youth for the growth of their ideas through blogs and wikis explained by Gwenn Schurgin O'Keeffe. It also enhances the individual and collective creativity when youth from all over the world come to platform to share their ideas. 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