Sunday, May 25, 2025
Week 2 Reflection
I feel like the reading and discussions this week really emphasized the social impacts of social media. There's this amazing phenomenon where we as a society are so connected by technology, yet so isolated by it. We are updated on happenings in an instant and it is so easy to contact friends and family. But at the same time, algorithms customize new feeds, so we don't always see the same things. Parents give their kids phones or iPads to keep them quiet and busy. Media compaines purposely create rage bait to get more views, so now people are so angry and scared, they refuse to hear other people's perspectives.
When used properly, the new technologies and developments are amazing and so helpful. But when it is misused, there are very real risks. I've been hearing more and more discussions surrounding these topics. Will we come to an agreement on possible solutions? I like to stay hopeful and say maybe. I think in order to come to this agreement, people need to be more aware of the factors that influence them and their experiences as netizens, and take personal ownership of what they expose themselves and their children to.
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Great post! Your point about algorithms is especially important. Beyond the inherent creepiness of having our habits constantly tracked, algorithms are designed to show us content we're already inclined to engage with. This can really narrow our perspective, especially when it comes to news and media. I studied journalism in undergrad, so I’m particularly aware of the risks of relying on undiversified sources. When algorithms reinforce our preferences, it becomes easy to live in an echo chamber where we only see what we want to see. Over time, that can limit our understanding of complex issues and make it harder to engage with differing viewpoints. It’s a subtle but powerful way our digital environment shapes how we see the world.
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