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Self-Disclosure Online

Self Disclosure is something that each of us engage in when we’re getting to know someone for the first time, however this process can be quite different with regards to online communication. In many forms of media there is a definite lack in verbal and nonverbal cues that are normal present in more conventional forms of communication. Theories behind this suggest that more similarity is actually assumed with the absence of these cues and people are more likely to identify with individuals than they would be in an in-person setting. Also what one person may get out of one form of media can be drastically different than another person who has more experience with it. For an avid snapchat user, that mode of communication will be much more rich for them than someone who is relatively new. Another aspect of online communication is how the individual views themselves, and this can actually be quite arbitrary depending on the individual and how they wish to present online, and...
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Snapchat: helping or hurting our relationships?

Snapchat has become a popular communication tool among people – especially teenagers and young adults.  In 2017, 70% of young adults ages 18-24 were using Snapchat and 41% of people ages 25-34 were using Snapchat (Burns, 2017).  This new and unique way of communicating is changing the way we form, maintain, and end relationships.  Snapchat might be increasing the amount of communication among us, but is it increasing the quality of our relationships?  Teenagers are in constant communication with one another, sending images of their surroundings back and forth with no text and little thought behind the images.  Many teenagers also maintain daily Snapchat communication with their friends simply to maintain their ‘Snapchat streaks.’  Snapchat streaks count the number of consecutive days a pair of friends sends each other images on Snapchat.  Looking at a teenager’s list of Snapchat streaks might indicate that they have a...

Online gaming: The role it plays in our mediated world

         Online gaming has become a very important form of entertainment for many people today; grossing 109.8 billion dollars in 2017.  There is a problem with the industry however, as more and more online game developers lean toward competitive game types without thinking about what this is doing to the communities of these games. The competitive elements in these games are a breeding ground for toxicity. As more and more gamer look for an edge in competitive play they turn to cyber bullying as an answer. Think of sports as a frame of reference. Some sport fans are some of the most competitive people. These competitive atmospheres can be a breeding ground for violence for example; After game 7 of the 2011 Stanley Cup Finals, a riot broke out in Vancouver after the Boston Bruins Defeated the Vancouver Canucks. The resulting violence left 140 people injured, one of which was critically injured. The key difference between sports and gaming is that in online ...

Cyberstalking and Cyberbullying: who does it affect most and why?

Think about your life throughout high school, and even now in college. Think of all the terrible things that you've seen said to people online, or have maybe even participated in saying, does it seem like that happened to you more than those older than you? That's because chances are, it did, and still does, happen to you more. Cyberbullying and cyberstalking are huge issues that plague our society in the age of social media. students, both in high school and college, and celebrities are the largest groups that fall victim to cyberstalking and cyberbullying the most. These issues are causing a significant increase in mental health problems in students and decreased productivity in the classroom, but despite these issues, schools aren't doing much to combat it. The way these issues affect celebrities also contributes to how much of a problem they are in schools, because students see the behavior that so many people have towards celebrities and copy that abuse onto their peer...

Neil Postman and the Video Deficit

Author Neil Postman predicted the end of the world was near in 1985. He perceived that television would be the cause of a problematic future. Though negative in his views on the future of humanity, he had profound predictions, regardless of the time gap between now and then. When the television takeover emerged, Postman wrote, Amusing Ourselves to Death as an informational warning to society. He feared that writings would vanish and people would rely on the entertainment industry for their news and discoveries rather than learning about history about those who wrote it down. Today, not only is the television prevalent, it is a necessity for every home. The elderly, adults, teens, children, toddlers and infants are watching screens nowadays and the effect it has on the American society is substantial. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, the video deficit, or the recommendation of moderate usage for infants under the age of two, is being defied by guardians. When offi...

You’re a Liar: Deceiving Others via Social Media

“Sickkk views of the ocean here in Florida! Love my Spring Break tradition 💓 #BLESSED.” “Literally NEVER gonna leave this place, love me some California sunshine! #bronzedgoddess. 😎” You scroll through your news feed, seeing highlights from close friends and acquaintances that are spending time away on Spring Break, while you sit at home on your couch after a full day at work, your dog near your lap. “What’s on your mind?”   Facebook asks you. What do you do? Do you post anything? Research says you likely won’t. At least not unless it’s a highlight for you. Social Media timelines are built on highlights; we post the things that we want other people to see. Even if we post things of ranging importance in our lives, the truth of the matter is this: your entire life isn’t online. That means that as you perceive the lives around you, you are not only being deceived, but you are also deceiving others. That’s right! You’re a liar. But guess what? It gets wor...

Online Dating as a Safe Haven for Certain People

(Photo: CNET) Swipe — right, left, right, right, left, left, what the...is that a machete on the table? Left left oh lord left!! Sound familiar? Many of us have had experiences with dating apps such as Tinder or Bumble, whether we’re the user looking for matches or just innocent bystanders entertained by it all. These dating apps (or dating “games” as some consider it) have surged in popularity over the last few years. While these PBMDAs (or “picture-based mobile dating apps”) are certainly the trend right now, dating websites are still quite popular as well. Yes, we may not be able to contain our laughter when talking about FarmersOnly.com or FurryMate.com, but as of 2017 over 40 million people had tried online dating. It’s a real thing, and it’s not going anywhere anytime soon. You may be thinking to yourself, “Why would anyone actually want to find a mate online? Isn’t online dating just for hookups or middle-aged divorcees?” Well, I’m here to tell you that onl...