Larissa Pimentel

Professor Rodrick
English 115
09/21/16
First Draft: Is Technology Really Corrupting Our Generation?
Have you seen the IPhone 7, its such a beauty right? Thats what has been the talk of the
generation now that revolves around technology and social media, people are raving about this
new product especially to the dismay of many the younger generation. Im a fan myself of the
social network that technology has given us, I find comfort in my technology through social
media that serves to me as a therapeutic relief especially on my breaks between classes or work.
Like myself, many find comfort on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram whether it is for
entertainment, voicing their opinion on a controversial topic, or simply putting their thoughts be
heard. Technology in form of social media has been a positive attribute to this generations youth
because of the comfort, freedom, and efficiency, the youth have a chance to be who they are and
voice in their opinion on a broad network with many people to be heard and accepted.
Social medias most notorious question that is asked by its users is, This person real?
seeing as MTVs Catfish, is a hit amongst the nation its impossible to get that out your mind, but
the people who do this find true comfort in hiding. In the article by Devin Tomb he wrote,
Jazmine, 21, who has created fake dating profiles to talk to guys in a bolder way, explains it this
way: Lying online is an easy way to get what you want, whether it's acceptance or popularity.
You're in control, and nobody can tell the difference between what's real and what's not. Here
we seeing the viewpoint of the person behind the screen using the many filters to comfort
themselves, to live with themselves and to talk to people without getting rejected. Technology
has served as a shield and a blanket toward its users that find it easier to hide their flaws and talk
to people, they never thought they could. This not only serves as a break barrier for the vainness

Larissa Pimentel
Professor Rodrick
English 115
09/21/16
behind people, but at a break for the youth with insecurities that find it easier to cope with behind
a screen.
Technology and social media have brought another positive attribution to the table which
is freedom and the power to voice an opinion. In the journal How Effective Is Virtual
Activism? Debra Nussbaum Cohen interview teen Gabbie Baker that said, "To me it's just a
place for teenagers who are not eligible to vote to get online and voice their opinion on things
where they might not have a voice by voting, on things like poverty, says Baker. It's great to see
so many people getting online. You can really see what teens all across the United States are
thinking and that they want to make change, she says. It really makes you feel like you have a
voice." This gives emphasis to the quality most teens hope and wish for from people which is
freedom, especially on opinions. Teens get to voice in their opinion online with the internet to
give in an input on controversial matters without getting disregarded for being a teen. This gives
them the power to be themselves and get their thoughts out on public without being shut down.
The youth of the generation are allowed to voice in on controversial issue and gain an identity
for themselves that is their own, which is allowed online without any judgement but praises. I
find myself contributing to the teen voice on social media from political controversies such as
the presidential election in this upcoming year, to entertainment based controversies like who
won a Grammy. The will of getting should be heard as they are essential to the youth as they are
the future of this nation.
Technology and social media also serve as a mental positivity amongst the youth of this
generation. In the article Facebook's Contribution to Well-being among Adolescent and Young
Adults as a Function of Mental Resilience by Ido Ziv & Mali Kiasi, they wrote A few studies

Larissa Pimentel
Professor Rodrick
English 115
09/21/16
suggest that the internet can contribute to social capital by allowing a relatively safe place for
social interaction that does not demand the social skills required for face-to-face interactions
(Amichai-Hamburger & McKenna, 2006; McKenna et al., 2002; Ybarra et al., 2005). In this way,
use of the internet can facilitate the formation of new relationships (Kraut et al., 2002; Parks &
Roberts, 1998) while enhancing self-esteem (Gonzales & Hancock, 2011). This exemplifies the
struggles in anxiety and social awkwardness that teens may have, this enforces that with the help
of social networking they find it easier to talk to people. With many that suffer from a lack of
communication skills, they find a great benefit and comfort in social network that allows them to
talk to people and make friends. Through the broad network with many behind a screen they are
given confidence to interact with one another something that is incredibly easier and takes the
pressure off of in person interaction. Through online interaction they grow confidence to
approach people something they wouldnt have been able to do in person.

Larissa Pimentel
Professor Rodrick
English 115
09/21/16

Many might see the latest technology and internet as an addiction that is corrupting the
minds by making youth antisocial and isolating them from the reality of the world. The picture
exemplifies the addiction of social media that takes a toll on many that makes many think of how
its effects cause isolation. Although, social media is popular and can be claimed as an addiction,
it is not in fact isolating us from the reality of the world. As displayed in the second picture it
exemplifies the unity the social world of technology bringing us together. Technology today
gives us a new way to interact with people we cant interact with face to face. Through the
internet we can interact with many across the world, and take part in debates on controversial
issues, and gain insight on these issues as well. The world of technology and social media keep
us updated with news and with this new kind of interaction.
Through these beneficial examples of the positive attributes that technology and social
media bring, it is safe to say that its not so bad. With the generations growing and becoming
more and more advanced theres many effects that contribute to the wellbeing of a youth in the
growing generation full of technology. It may not be too bad to say that it does cause some good.
Interaction amongst one another, a voice in which you identify with who you are and what you
stand for, and the simple being of comfort in talking to strangers with this newfound confidence
through social media.

Larissa Pimentel
Professor Rodrick
English 115
09/21/16
Works Cited
Tomb, Devin. "Is everyone faking it online? You want to be seen at your best--and through the filter of
social media. Its easy to convince people of anything. But could lying online lead to damage
IRL?" Seventeen May 2013: 100+. General OneFile. Web. 13 Sept. 2016.
Cohen, Debra N. "How Effective is Virtual Activism?" The New York Jewish Week, Manhattan edition
ed.: 38. Jun 20 2008. ProQuest. Web. 22 Sep. 2016 .
Ziv, Ido, and Mali Kiasi. "Facebook's Contribution To Well-Being Among Adolescent And Young Adults
As A Function Of Mental Resilience." Journal Of Psychology 150.4 (2016): 527-541. Academic
Search Premier. Web. 13 Sept. 2016.