1 Jon Thomas Do Social Networks Effect Change In Our Personalities? The Internet today is more prominent than ever.

While the World Wide Web has always provided an endless source of news, entertainment, and education for users around the globe, its most groundbreaking service, social media, didnt attain mainstream popularity until the past decade. Today, Facebook, Twitter, MySpace, and Instagram are among to the top most visited sites on the web. These Social Networks allow users to share thoughts, pictures, ideas and messages with other users. While these networks promote social interaction, is this interaction healthy? Although access to these sites are incredibly easy and simple, users must take into consideration of the overall impact on their online activities have on their offline social lives. What effect does spending time on these websites have on realworld relationships? According to survey data reported by Rainie, Purcell and Smith, 33% ofinternet-using active group members say the internet has had a major impact on their ability to find groups that match their interests (Raine, Purcell, Smith). Social media sites allow users to find an online group where they can easily relate to, with nothing more than internet access and a computer. So does spending more time in front of the computer screen mean a person has less time to pursue other interests in the real world? In a statement from Rainie, 46% of the internet users who are active in groups say the Internet has helped them be active in more groups than would otherwise be the case (Raine, Purcell, Smith). This shows that under half of social media site users get some sort of social benefit through the use of these sites. As stated by Keenan and Shiri, Facebook

2 encourages sociability by creating a comfortable, private and familiar social environment. This is accomplished in several ways: using legal names; restricted profile access; social desktop environment and simple media interface (Keenan, Shiri). Keenan and Shiris research suggests that social network users are more likely to use the sites to talk with friends because it simulates traditional offline interactions in an online setting. Are online social network relationships a direct correlation of those formed offline? In order to understand the similarities and differences between these two types of social networks, an in-depth examination is necessary. Many people receive emails, text messages, and other forms of messages through electronic communication and have no idea how to decide ones tone of voice or their meaning behind the message. Many parents have kids who just started using online communication or havent started at all and are wondering what to teach their kids about ins and outs of the internet. The best solution is to teach face-to-face communication as it was done before modern technology. People would walk or drive somewhere and meet up just to have a conversation someone else. Today, we rely on electronics to manage relationships or relay important messages like breakups or emergencies. Even though sending emails is easy, talking face-to-face helps understand people in a more formal manner. Are these digital connections as meaningful as the old - fashioned face-to-face conversations? Many people would choose electronics over a face-to-face talk any day of the week. The internet has ushered in an era in which people are able to communicate with more people, faster and in more ways than before (Raine, Purcell, Smith).

3 Teens that interact with one another on social networking websites such as Facebook or Twitter are at an all time high. Over five hundred billion minutes are used per month on Facebook alone, and that is not just teens but users of all ages (Ferriter). On twitter there are fifty million messages that are posted each day (Ferriter). Connecting online can help different people in different ways, while on a blogging site, someone can make new friends and give others advice on getting through everyday life. For Kara Jones, 39, of Vachon Island, Washington, a critical personal lesson - that she could survive the still birth of her son after a normal pregnancy came from an online stranger turned friend. Friends and family tried to help, but our relationships had changed in the face of grief, she says. Most did not know how to deal with the situation (Stich). The statistics show a lot of people use electronic communication, but the question has yet to be answered as to why social networks have become such a big phenomenon. According to Michael Rosenwald of The Washington Post, Facebook makes shyness disappear. Facebook is for shy people as water is for the thirsty (Rosenwald). Sometimes the internet improves lives in building relationships and can be used as a bridge to connect to different people. Facebook is a crutch, feeling more comfortable with digital friends than personal ones (Rosenwald). Using social media to communicate comes with many negative effects. One of the biggest effects is it causes kids to become less social and keep to themselves. Social skills have gone way down over the years, and high profile jobs like lawyers and doctors do not have as high of an education. Electronic communication is changing the way communicators do their jobs and it is changing the way

4 businesses are being looked at. So many kids bring their cell phones to school and spend time on Twitter and Facebook throughout class, which distracts them from learning. Technology is great, but we need to maintain relationships beyond a computer screen or text message. More media results in teens becoming more negative and the more likely they are to get in trouble. Using media becomes the gateway to bullying and puts them in dangerous situations. Antisocial behaviors build up and people become more self-centered. It is like they dont want to talk to people (Gormley). Text messages can seem lazy and rude. Not wanting to talk to others ruins personal relationships and social lives. Many say, it feels like their lives are continually interrupted by incoming messages (Gormley). Technologies are infantilizing the brain into the state of small children who are attracted by buzzing noises and bright lights. All of the distractions lead to children having short attention spans and damaged brain development. Such technology does not only affect users mentally but physically as well (Derbyshire). Those who text and use the internet more than intended, could possibly have poor outcomes. They are more likely to encounter sexual activity, drink alcohol, smoke cigarettes, and get involved in fighting, substance use and many more (Johnson). It often tends to cause depression, suicide, poor sleep and poor academic performance (Johnson). As previously stated, not only does electronic communication cause harm to the youth it also isnt trustworthy. Messages online or through text message are quickly sent with no thought, such as sending ALL CAPS, or having grammatical errors within the message. Such messages can easily confuse the receiver and they

5 could think screaming is occurring. Images could also be distorted or words could have different meanings. So it could be a lot different than what someone would say in person. Also, the people we talk to in person are a lot different than who we talk to online. Sometimes people pretend to be individuals they are not. The scariest issue is the messages that are being sent could get passed around and someone that is unknown could receive it. Incorrect information is sent around freely among the internet. Many share personal information all over the internet and their privacy could soon be jeopardized. Once something is typed and online, the user cant go back and change the message and most anyone can see it. For instance these so-called Twitter Thugs, the people who bully and threaten kids from their high schools or the clich within the school, situations like these can always turn into something blown out of proportion. All of these risks are not worth going through. Sometimes teens get caught for posting inappropriate pictures that get them in trouble that are totally out of their character. Just use face-to-face communication and none of these problems will come up. Face-to-face communication and having a real conversation is better in so many ways. Humans cant live fully without direct human contact, nor can we live up to our talents if all we do is comply with a group. Connections with others will develop our sensitivity to the human race as a whole (Stitch). Faces speak more eloquently than mere words. When two people converse, the speaker influences the listener and the listener influences the speaker (Stitch). Being able to see others faces shows greater collaboration and we are able to have expressions that

6 influence the interaction. Faces do more than just express emotion: they also shape us (Stitch). Seeing all types of expressions as conversations are being held can help us understand how the listeners are reacting. For example, nodding is a complicated gesture and could signify understanding. If the nodding occurs too late this could signal boredom and that it is time for the conversation to end. Reading facial expressions makes us smarter about others and also about ourselves. When someone lifts an eyebrow that is a form of acknowledgement, but when they lift an eyebrow and eyelids, that shows surprise. If someones eyes widen a little that shows interest and if they widen a lot it shows that something is a scary piece of work. How about if someone wrinkles their nose, that is a sign of disgust, or if they smile that may soften harsh words. Not only can we see expressions but we can also see eye contact, feel changes in the air pressure, smell the surroundings, and hear ones tone of voice. Talking face-to-face allows us to reduce the amount of miscommunication that comes with social media. When meeting in person we can discuss issues and can better understand individuals. Not only can we better understand them but also, You are getting more information from the people around you (Morella). While excelling in using face-to-face communication we also become more skilled at listening. Along with becoming skilled at listening, we also become skilled in honesty, integrity, credibility, transparency, thriftiness, caring for others, and trusting (Morella). Feeling the full effects of a conversation allows us to feel the

7 mood from the other person. We are able to feel the humor, friendliness and even anger, and also allow us to see and feel each others appearance. If it is urgent, you have got to be physically there (Kaplan). Doesnt being able to physically see the person and feel and see everything that is going on make for a better conversation? There are times when using electronic communication makes things convenient at the time but it is always the right time to use face-toface communication. Face-to-face or electronic communication, which one is more effective? Faceto-Face has many benefits to it from being able to see expressions to not having miscommunication. It tends to help young adults become skilled in listening and affects other areas such as caring for others and gaining honesty and trust. Having these skills can help down the road in the long run. Effective communication is needed in all fields of education. There are the good and bad results that come along with using Facebook, texting, or social networking sites. More negative effects are present when using electronic communication. The positives include being able to see others that live far away, meeting new friends, giving advice, and helping those that are too shy to talk in person. Some of the various amounts of heinous effects are that messages could get misinterpreted, they could ruin our brains, and they could affect us physically such as committing suicide or beginning to use substances. The worst of the effects that stem from using electronic communication is that its making us less social. Those who have kids should teach them the importance of using face-to-face communication. Limit the amount of electronics teens use in the household. We need to make the world more educated with our social skills. If we

8 do not we will begin to rely more heavily only on electronics then ever before. Connecting through social media will never be a satisfactory replacement. Even if it is faster and easier, it is hard to understand the true meaning behind the message. No amount of texting, or blogging or Facebook is as satisfying as a walk in the park with a good friend. Why? Because it is simply our nature (Stitch).

9 "Pew Research Center's Internet & American Life Project." The Social Side of the Internet. N.p., n.d. Web. 23 Apr. 2013. Andrew Keenan, Ali Shiri, (2009) "Sociability and social interaction on social networking websites", Library Review, Vol. 58 Iss: 6, pp.438 450 Ferriter, William M., Jason T. Ramsden, and Eric C. Sheninger. Communicating and Connecting with Social Media. Bloomington, IN: Solution Tree, 2011. Print. Stich, Stephen P. Deconstructing the Mind. New York: Oxford UP, 1996. Print. "Northeast Ohio." The Plain Dealer. N.p., n.d. Web. 23 Apr. 2013. Derbyshire, David (24 February 2009). "Social websites harm children's brains: Chilling warning to parents from top neuroscientist". Daily Mail (London). Washington Post. The Washington Post, 12 Feb. 2011. Web. 23 April 2013. "Www.theory.org.uk Resources: Media Effects -- Tom Gormley." Www.theory.org.uk Resources: Media Effects -- Tom Gormley. N.p., n.d. Web. 23 April 2013. "Face Time May Beat E-mail." US News RSS. N.p., n.d. Web. 23 April 2013.