Blog Post #3
After reading The Guardian's "Facebook aware of Instagram's harmful effect on teenage girls, leak reveals", I decided to align it with Baym's perspective on the social shaping of technology. The sub header instantly resonated with me as it touches on body image issues which I believe is a crucial problem today amongst social media users. As outlined in Baym's article, "Personal Connections in the Digital Age the social shaping", the social shaping of technology perspective views technology and society as continually influencing one another (2015). In relation to body image issues, the causation of influence on one another is well aligned with the notion of comparison that arises on media platforms. Especially to those who are craving everything they do not have such as different body types, more luxurious lifestyles, etc.
There are many standards and trends on social media that individuals feel they need to meet in order to be accepted by society. This can be explained by Baym in the social shaping of technology perspective as there is a development of norms that users create. This goes to show the relationship between the internet and social problems. Technology, the benefits that come with it, versus the problems that come with it is a very controversial topic. From the social shaping perspective, technology is seen as enabling possibilities for trouble, yet the troubles belong firmly to the people perpetrating the behaviours, This is magnified in the Guardians article when the statistic "Thirty-two percent of teen girls said that when they felt bad about their bodies, Instagram made them feel worse," (Gayle, 2021). This is because instagram is a platform where users can be exposed to the many other body types, especially when body types can be a trend in society.
I have attached a link to a short video on medias effect on body image if this topic resonates with you as much as it does me!
https://youtu.be/mRtjyAi5C3w
Works Cited
Kind Regards,
Alexa
Hi Alexa, I really enjoyed your post!
ReplyDeleteI totally agree that many people crave what they don’t have, especially in terms of body image. I believe the reason being is that standards are so high on social media because of many celebrities and influencers who edit their photos. Therefore the type of body that is considered the standard is unrealistic and hard to achieve. Girls drive themselves crazy trying to achieve a misleading body type. They will go on diets and excessively work out because of what is seen on social media. All the standards and trends on social media create so much anxiety in young people because no one wants to be judged or stand out in the wrong way. Therefore people care and put so much thought into what they post and how they look that it takes all the fun out of it.
Hi Alexa,
ReplyDeleteI liked the video you added; it was an exciting way to wrap up your discussion about women's pressures within our modern-day society. The way that you showed the two different perspectives of technology was crucial in showing the benefits, such as allowing people to communicate between space and time. Still, many negative effects comes along with it. This is a big problem within our society because many people don't realize our technologies are putting us at risk, but it's also how frequently we use them.
Overall, great insight!
Kim
Hi Alexia,
ReplyDeleteI agree that body image is a huge issue that surrounds social media and the lives of many today. Individuals often compare themselves to others online, envious of how people look, influencing their decision in the real world. To feel accepted on social media, young people tend to starve themselves in hopes of looking slimmer to a certain degree that meets social standards. I enjoyed the way you differentiated both sides and explained the positive and negative effects technology has on individuals. In my personal life, I have experienced these issues from my peers as they have looked at an Instagram post and said, “I wish I looked like them,” expressing their belief that their body doesn’t fit within societal standards.
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ReplyDeleteHello Alexia,
DeleteThis is a great post!
Like Jennifer mentioned as well, the idea of people wanting what they can not have is a great point. As I was reading through your post it just made me think about the broader issue that is at hand, you do not need to have applications such as Instagram. So, why do we?...
There is a constant spiral effect that comes from these applications, because they consequently control us. Although the truth is that we do not have to have these applications, that goes against the social norms. Moreover, this is why these applications upheld the dominance over individuals at global scale. What makes me and I believe so many other questions about getting the newest or next apps that come out is the same negative effects seem to always be present due to or within the applications. More often than not it is displayed through the applications marketing techniques of social comparisons.
It is truthfully upsetting that these applications have developed to be the global means of communication but cause such detrimental effects to individuals.
Do you feel as though there is a type of grey area when it comes to the discourse of these applications? Specifically, when talking about the negative effects of social media because one; there are so many positives and possibilities that have come from them, and two; social norms have made it so we feel as though there is no other choice than having these applications of social media.
Thanks,
Dawson