Entry #3 Status Update
After listening to This American Life podcast, I was not surprised at all by anything that the three girls who were interviewed had to say about the social media platforms they use today. These kids want validation. They're seeking approval from their peers and it's not nice when they don't get it. One example I heard was from the kids in the podcast saying how before they post a picture they send it to a group chat of about four to five friends to make sure it's 'good' enough. Their friends would normally say the same things that they would on an actual comment, so they would post it because they felt good about the picture.
Another example is that even though the three girls pretty much knew what their friends and other people were going to comment on their photos, they still needed to see that comment in order to make them feel good about themselves. It is almost a social obligation to comment on your friend's picture. Also, so that other people know you guys are close. However, by putting a picture on social media you're opening yourself up to judgment in the hope you'll get positive feedback. In a way, you're making yourself vulnerable to the thoughts of others, so it's not surprising that if it doesn't elicit the reaction you'd hope for your pride takes a hit.
Moreover, the girls also bring up staying relevant and in order to be relevant you need a lot of likes and comments on your pictures, people want to watch your stories on Snapchat, and they always want to know what you're doing. For those who aren't receiving the attention, however; can start to become jealous of others and will start to feel bad about themselves. They will start to lose confidence. We shouldn't have to have hundreds of likes on our pictures and countless followers in order to be relevant. This is what social media has come to today and we got to witness it first hand as to what it does to people.
Are you seeking approval from friends when you post a picture? Do you need to see a comment on your photo? How do you feel if you don't get it?
Another example is that even though the three girls pretty much knew what their friends and other people were going to comment on their photos, they still needed to see that comment in order to make them feel good about themselves. It is almost a social obligation to comment on your friend's picture. Also, so that other people know you guys are close. However, by putting a picture on social media you're opening yourself up to judgment in the hope you'll get positive feedback. In a way, you're making yourself vulnerable to the thoughts of others, so it's not surprising that if it doesn't elicit the reaction you'd hope for your pride takes a hit.
Moreover, the girls also bring up staying relevant and in order to be relevant you need a lot of likes and comments on your pictures, people want to watch your stories on Snapchat, and they always want to know what you're doing. For those who aren't receiving the attention, however; can start to become jealous of others and will start to feel bad about themselves. They will start to lose confidence. We shouldn't have to have hundreds of likes on our pictures and countless followers in order to be relevant. This is what social media has come to today and we got to witness it first hand as to what it does to people.
Are you seeking approval from friends when you post a picture? Do you need to see a comment on your photo? How do you feel if you don't get it?
I like the pictures you used
ReplyDeleteGood job of pulling out three points from the podcast and focusing on them specifically. Don't forget to establish the context of the topic first and invite the reader into the conversation from the start.
ReplyDelete