The Language of Communication and the Perception of Social Media - Research Paper Example

Introduction New media technologies and social networking websites offers online platforms whereby individuals can establish social relations through sharing background information, interests, information on life events such as sporting activities in real time. New media technologies such as instant messaging and e-mails also allow users to interact and share information in a virtual environment. Recent new media technologies have revolved around proliferation of wireless communication devices that combine both voice, photo and text facilities. Social networking websites such as MySpace, Twitter and Face book allow users to transfer information on new media devices such as laptops, smart mobile phones and iPods. These websites all users the opportunity to engage in social connections with multiple other users at the same time through private conversations. All human beings desire social relationships and networks in order to feel the need of social acceptance in the society. Poststructuralist psychology developed in 1960s as a critique of structuralism ideas. Notable figures of poststructuralist development like Jacques Derrida advanced the use of deconstruction as a method of understanding text and asserted that no conclusive meaning could be attached to any text. Critics of social media platforms have argued that it is a form of entertainment, spread of immorality, harassment and not communication channels. For instance, Face book will allow its users to chat and flirt and all suggest friends for each other thus extending the network. Poststructuralist perspective of psychology is concerned with understanding the role of language and dynamics that influence social relations. According to poststructuralist, language provides an individual with self identity and symbolic capital. Social networking language is unique and provides the users the opportunity to form a symbolic identity. Social media such a Twitter use short form language that provides the opportunity to express multiple ideas within a sentence. Users of the media will allow their friends who also use the media to know about life events and what is currently happening in user’s live by just posting a simple message or uploading a photo. Different users will attach different meaning to a comment or an uploaded photo depending on their unique identity and self concept (Raskauskas and Stoltz 572). Social networking websites media language can be viewed as a collection of discourses that facilitate in identity construction. With traditional media such as radio language is viewed as chain of signs without an identity, language used in new media technologies has an array of meanings. Social networking websites language has the capability of challenging the existing power structures in the society. Discourse courses usually develop around several factors such as social class, gender and age. New media technologies have a wide audience including networking groups such as close family friends and workmates. Social networking media allows the sharing of personal live and stories or even news events that have been reported in other conventional media like television. The users have the opportunity of providing even conflicting and controversial opinions and inputs on a certain news article that has been aired in other conventional forms of media through several options of communicating on social networking websites (Wertsch 1985). Poststructuralists assert that the concept of ‘self’ as singular entity is fictional since individuals consists of numerous conflicting tensions such as different professions, gender, color, ethnicity, religion and social class. In order to an individual to carefully study a text message and offer an interpretation, his unique concept of self influences the outcome. The author and the reader may have different interpretations of the text depending on their perceptions of the concept of self. There is no single literary work or text message or image with single purpose and meaning. Social networks currently form a part of many users’ lifestyles. People will log on to websites to unconsciously open their favorite activity on the websites or read notifications on posts by their friends. Social networking websites nowadays incorporate business marketing opportunities since the corporate world has learned the important of self-perception and individual identity formation in individuals thus has facilitated the usage of the social networking websites. According to deconstruction theory, the sole method of understanding meaning of text messages or e-mails in new media technologies is through deconstruction of the knowledge systems and assumptions that lead to illusions of a singular meaning. The process helps individuals using social networking websites understand how their rational messages or comments can soon turn emotional or sad to the readers. According to Roland Barthes concept of metalanguage, there should be a systematic way of presenting concepts such as grammar apart from the traditional or first language of an individual. For instance, new media technologies utilize symbols to represent text instead of words that are time consuming to write. According to poststructuralist psychologists, human beings are social by nature and construct their self-image from their social networks or identity groups. Social activities such as intimate relationships on social networking websites or simple playing of games will influence the self-image and identity of an individual. For instance, sub-cultural networks on social media may share common symbols that assist them in their online communications. Some analysts have the opinion that social networking websites create an additional workload through building an effective network of friends and ensuring that comments or blog posts are accurate. Social networking websites have a distractive effect due to time required to find friends with the same shared interests. It can be pointed out that social networking information is largely uncontrolled thus leading to clash of opinions that hinders effective communication on the networks or consensus building during communication. According to poststructuralist psychologists, people will struggle to maintain working social relationships with peers for self-esteem and belonging reasons thus leading to controversial feelings of distraction by the social media communication (Lusk 5). Users will be compelled to have constant attention of posts, tweets or comments on social media in order to sustain the social relationships with online peers thus leading to time wastage from the conventional lifestyle. Twitter and Face book networking websites have also been labeled as ‘social and youthful tool’ that are unprofessional instead of communication tools. Some social media websites have been described as trivial and only useful for entertainment but not information sharing in a professional and organised manner. There are numerous of posts and messages that are exchanged on social networking websites some that may be uninteresting yet the users continue to complain instead of ignoring such communications. Social networking media is informal in nature thus may create a narcissistic desire for fame depending on individual preferred identity and social recognition by anonymous peers (Baym, Zhang, Kunkel, Ledbetter and Lin 2007). Social networking provides real time online communication thus shaping self-perception and self-esteem. Some adolescents use social media popularity to gauge to establish their identity and social-esteem. Economic status as displayed by uploaded personal photos on social media and educational accomplishments as displayed by profile information will influence the formation of individual self-concept. Social networking websites contain chat facilities and status update menu that enables many people inform the global public of their offline self. Youths have spent considerable amount of time on social media trying to authenticate their position in society and identity formation. Users will from time to time represent a different online identity other than the offline identity due to anonymity of social networking media. The behaviours displayed by users of many social media platforms can be termed as mental hallucinations that try to escape from the offline reality due to need of online identity formation and recognition (Raskauskas and Stoltz 574). For instance, adolescents will use carefully manufacture a fake version of offline self concept in order to capture the imagination of fellow users or online friends. For instance, many people have claimed that they had a birthday party or exciting vacation in order to improve their self identity in the social media (Gentile 2003). These new media technologies and websites will force teens to engage in envy and competition for attaining recognition, acceptance and credibility from peers as displayed by number of comments for any uploaded photos or status updates thus leading to negative self-esteem in case of disapproval by peers (Livingstone 405). Users of social networking websites must maintain a user profile that contains basic information and also photos. Many people will be tempted to have an upward social class comparison tendency thus exaggerating the profile information. The profile information prompts the concept of self-awareness thus leading many people to feel short of the societal standards when self-awareness is invoked. Visiting other people’s profile may cause a reduction in self-worthy and esteem (Carpenter 484). Social networking websites and new media technologies have been accused of stereotypes of the impressions. For instance, it is impossible to understand the facial expressions or body languages of uploaded photos. People with lower self-esteem are more prone to these exaggerated and self-promotional photos thus leading to a damage of their self-perception and identity on the online media. Some instances that can be detrimental to one’s self-esteem include negative comments on photos or negative messages (Healey 2011). New media technologies such as smart phones and iPods enable easy access to the internet thus facilitating talking, e-mailing and texting in electronic environment rather than traditional face-to-face communication. Generally, these media technologies are addictive to many individuals since they create a perception of belonging to a certain online community and network of friends. Many of individuals who may e-mail, chat or reply to comments on social networking websites may turn out to be strangers that one has never met physically before. These new media technologies will blur the conventional relationship boundaries and also hinder face to face communications (Healey 2011). Since the self identity defines the meaning attached to language, social networking websites have been accused of aiding harassments of individuals. These websites allow for uploading of photos and sending of messages using metalanguage or symbols that some readers may understand as bullying or harassment even when the sender intended to make a joke. The websites are accessible by the public, but some individuals post blogs and leave comments that can be termed as offensive in public domain. Bullying on social media such as blogging sites and instant messaging services is difficult to control since the perpetrators may form multiple anonymous identities and continue with the unethical vice. The negative effects of bullying can lead to depression that leads to psychosocial damage (Healey 2011). Livingstone (407) is of the opinion that new media technologies and social networking has enhanced the accessibility of celebrity information. For instances, many adolescents have developed strong feelings towards several music and television show characters due to sharing of videos, newsfeeds and blogs. Some followers of the celebrities form a desirable lifestyle that may not be attainable or unrealistic. For instance, one may perceive the need of richness or fame in order to attain his societal obligation (Wykes and Gunter 2005). According to Western Reserve School of Medicine research study, the use of social networking websites is positively correlated with unhealthy habits such as smoking, poor sleeping patterns and poor academic performance. Depending on the unique interpretation of the communication messages posted on social media platforms, youths are more likely to engage in destructive behaviour since such b messages influence identity formation. Spending much time on social media will lead to physical isolation that is responsible for poor health outcomes such as depression, lack of sleep and ultimately suicides. Medical studies have concluded that social isolation can impair the hormones of the brain thus leading to feelings of aggression, anxiety and stress thus contributing to violence and social evils such as substance abuse (Healey 2011). New media technologies and social networking websites have contributed to emergence of unique social media language. The emerging language includes pictures, facial expressions, signs and symbols that are not common in the conventional languages (Everett 1995). Due to short form comments, and personalized language in social media blogging, students are more likely to develop grammatical and spelling usage problems. Social networking has eroded the use of traditional languages in interpersonal communications (Mangold and Faulds 363). According to social cultural theories of psychology, cognitive development of individuals is mainly used by the immediate environment and interactions. Learning can not be actually separated from the ongoing interactions in social media and reading texts in mobile based communication technologies. Social media will thus impact negatively on students due to learning of new tongues and cultures of communication. Social networking websites use forms part of identity development thus youths express their own identity and self concept through social media. Guimond (230) asserts that social interactions on the networking websites such as sharing of experiences influence the formation of norms, standards of academic attainment and personal values. Sharing of personal live experiences stimulates the way youths perceive themselves changes in thinking patterns overtime depending on their changing experiences on social media interactions (Healey 2011). Another controversial social networking media influence is the ability to maintain confidentiality and privacy while communicating. Some users have complained of the exposure of their personal or professional information to strangers. Social networking websites can be misused to intentionally deceive others thus leading to sexual exploitation of minors. Some teenagers lack the cognitive capability to differentiate online fraudsters and criminal behaviour thus can easily fall in sexual predator traps. Users will always be concerned with their personal information security in social websites thus many used prefer an anonymous identity and fake personal information while registering and using social media. Since use of social media is unavoidable, it is essential that security and privacy policies be implemented in order to safeguard the personal information of the users (McHale, Dotterer and Kim 1190). Social networking has ruined promotion and production business. Currently, millions of users have the capability to develop image and brands on social media. Electronic reading materials are becoming more popular thus ruining the conventional book hard copy publishing business. Social networking websites and new media technologies are currently overcoming other forms of mass communication such as radio and television or newspapers as the preferred mode of receiving breaking news (Zizi and Alan 186). Social networking websites are used by millions of individuals on a daily basis thus providing forum for shaping global public opinion on major political, economic and social issues. For instance, the networks have been criticized for fueling the occurrence of Arab political uprisings and demonstrations that led to ouster of several leaders including the end of dictatorial regime after the death of Libyan long-serving President Gadaffi. Social media networks have trends and polls facilities that can be used by political candidates in understanding the public perception and ultimately swaying the election outcomes (Miller 2011). In contrast to the controversial views of the media influence of social networking websites, new media technologies such as Web 2.0 technologies have excellent information sharing features that can promote online learning. New media technologies can be utilized in learning environments since they promote group collaboration and enhance creativity of the learners. Blogs, newsfeeds and laptops can be used to accomplish group assignments and reinforce the written expression and English skills of the learners (Zizi and Alan 186). Contrary to the controversial views of social networking websites, it is possible to promote the psychological well-being and esteem of the users if individuals form the right and real online identity and self concept. The media enhances the frequency of communications thus leading to social well being and eliminating any isolation. Poststructuralist psychology helps in understanding the controversial media influence especially social networking websites on the population. Definitely, social media allows the individual to have faster feedback and offer opinions on different topical areas such as political views. Social media and new media technologies allow for mass audience and anonymity of the users thus facilitating formation of unrealistic identities while communicating. Social networking websites are interactive in nature and forces the users to frequently use the media and interact with peers in order to maintain the online social relationships. These forms of media utilize contemporary language that attaches meaning depending on the self concept of the reader thus in some cases social networking websites may be viewed as offensive to the users (Kirsh 2010). Conclusion Poststructuralists assert that individuals’ interpretation of text depends on their self concept or identity. They assert that people will provide different meanings to same communication messages depending on self identity and self-esteem. Accordingly, human beings are social and desire to form social relationships with other individuals. Poststructuralists also assert that a metalanguage is essential in facilitating communications. New media technologies such as smart phones, iPods and instant messaging services provide the users the ability to communicate and share information with a wide audience whether through audio-video, text messaging or e-mails. The interpretation of these communication messages vary from one individual thus leading to controversial beliefs of social networking media influences in the society. The language of communication is also unique since one word can convey thousands of meanings depending on the self concept of the reader or the perception of social media. Social media is seen as addictive since users have a perception of belonging to a certain online community of friends. Most users will spend much of their time browsing through friend’s posts, comments and uploaded photos. The increasing social media usage and new media technologies have been blamed to the reduction in human face to face interaction in the society. Social networks allow the users to interact via internet networks with less effort and skill thus leading to isolation of individual lives behind their online identity. Face to face meetings that express the real identity and personality of individuals are becoming less important since users of social websites prefer an anonymous identity that improves their perceived social class and position in the society. Social networking websites are also associated with bullying and harassment incidents due to anonymity of the users. Negative comments on other user’s updates or blogs coupled with offensive photos all contribute to harassment and depression of some users. Due to the ability to offer instant feedback and wide audience of friends, social media contributes to lose of productivity in the workplace. Studies have shown that employees use most of their valuable time on social websites thus limiting their effectiveness in workplace. Bibliography: Wertsch, J.V. 1985. Culture, communication, and cognition: Vygotskian perspectives. New York. Cambridge University Press. McHale, S.M., Dotterer, A. and Kim, J. 2009. ‘An ecological perspective on the media and youth development’. American behavioral scientist, 52 (8), 1186- 1203. Miller, P. 2011. Theories of developmental psychology. New York Worth Publishers. Mangold, W.G and Faulds, D.J. 2009. ‘Social media: the new hybrid element of promotional mix’. Business horizons, 52, 357-365. 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