This week’s reading explores the concept of ‘Cyberspace’ and how within this space the mind and body are disconnected to communicate and express beliefs in an unprecedented fashion. Although this was the main point expressed in the article, Barlow also believes that the internet has created a world where parents and authorities are foreigners. He express this through the quote, “you are terrified of your own children, since they are natives in a world where you will always be immigrants” (Barlow, 1996, p2) and although written quite some time ago, I believe his statement accurately reflects the moral panics which continue to circulate around the use of this medium by children.
While reading this article, the ABC just happened to post a link to an article on Twitter titled “Woman accused of Assaulting son for having a Facebook page”. Intrigued by this title I went on to read the article which discussed how an American mother had beat up her son because she was angry that he had been using Facebook even though she said he was not allowed to. Although an extreme case, I think it is a relevant example of how many parents are over-reacting about the impact the internet is having on their children. BUT do parents have a legitimate reason to be afraid? On one side of the argument scientists argue that social media “is moulding children’s brains so that they are unable to empathise with others; in short we are breeding a generation of narcissists” (Ostrow, 2011). While in contrast others suggest that instead of pushing children away from the world, social media unites them with it. As with every new technology (think TV, video games) this moral panic has escalated with an abundance of content arguing each side of the debate and with so much conflicting content trying to persuade me one way or the other, I am still not entirely certain of my position on this issue.
So, I would like to know, what is your opinion? Should we believe the hype over social media effects? Or is it just another moral panic which will slowly become forgotten about when a new and more ‘dangerous’ technology supersedes Facebook.
References:
Barlow, J.P (1996) A Declaration of the Independence of Cyberspace
Ostrow, R (2011) ‘Lost in Cyberspace’, The Australian, Accessed 15/08/2011 http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/features/lost-in-cyberspace/story-e6frg8h6-1226098292630
I think the current negative hype over social medias is just a result of society being afraid of anything new and unknown. It was probably the same when the first game consoles came out when we were kids - people screaming that it was frying our brains and making us violent, anti-social twats. As long as parents roughly know what their children are doing online, and are there in case any bullying occurs i think social medias are now a part of society that we must accept are here to stay.
ReplyDeleteI liked your Barlow quote, and i think that many people within our generation are able to relate to that, through having to help our technological invalid parents or grandparents at some point. Those generations have a tendency to assume that we are able to solve any kind of technological problem. Sometimes that can be annoying though.
I agree with Tegan. Sociey fears anything new and blasts it with negative connotations.
ReplyDeleteParents should monitor their children on the Internet not shield them from it. You can't protect them from the world but you can educate them and provide them with knowledge to make wise decisions.
But I do think the all the social media effects frenzy is justa big hype over nothing.
You raise some good points. I personally believe that all the hype and 'moral panic' concerned with the internet and children is an over reaction. Every generation had a new technology which was believed to,in some way,negativgely effect them and taint there existence. Children today, just like generations before them, will grow up and learn to adapt to the new technologies and grow up with both the good and bad ramifications.
ReplyDeleteth the good and bad ramifications.
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ReplyDeleteI liked your post Corryn. You're very right about Barlow's statement that reflects the stigma surrounding children and the Internet, and parents wanting to know what their kids are up to. I remember my dad got facebook a few months ago and tried to add me, didn't happen. I think parents should give their children freedom and access to the internet. They may as well embrace it because they will most probably have a job that involves knowing how to use it one day.
ReplyDelete