The PBS Video Special “Growing up Online” was a very intriguing social analysis, but one must not overlook its biases. PBS does not have a historical reputation of being in-tune with adolescent culture, and this truth was rather apparent in the approach it took toward the “Online Generation.” Though the video contained a large amount of valid, often disturbing information about the manner in which online communication is molding the current generation, it assumed a somewhat patronizing view toward these “internet-addicted” teens—having them confess their deepest cyber-secrets and then including the opinion of the tragically deceived parents. The video did an excellent job of conveying the dangers that lurk in the unexplored frontiers of internet communication but failed to provide an adequately rounded assessment. In particular, PBS showed a clear cynicism on the nature of Facebook, which is now regarded by members of every generation as an indispensable communication tool.
According to Jamie Efaw’s article “Social Networking Services: the New Influence Frontier” which appeared in the academic journal American Diplomacy, Facebook (and social networking in general) is a great triumph for the Western world in what she calls “the War of Ideas”. Efaw asserts that the social mobility and minimal restriction of ideas, creativity, and communication manifest in applications like Facebook give the West a decisive advantage in both time and economic efficiency, two invaluable assets to an increasingly interconnected world. That brings us to this question: do the benefits we reap by the products of “Growing up Online” enumerated in Efaw’s article outweigh the potential social detriment PBS warns us of? Or is this cost-benefit approach not a proper way to evaluate the emerging dilemma?
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/02/22/AR2008022202630.html
I like the porposal that social networking sites like Facebook give the West an advantage in the War of Ideas. China currently has 100 social networking service, with only a 10 percent penetration of the internet into China currently. Right now about 160 million Chinese have access to the Internet, but they prefer local sites, so much so that Facebook and My Space face real challenges competing for participation. One commentator, Jeremy Goldkorn, who edits an English-language site which tracks Chinese use of the internet, made two very pertinent observation about how well American companies will do: "Facebook is based on people using their real names and being honest, whereas the Chinese like the ability to be anonymous. E-mail addresses will rarely include a person's name, and on bulletin boards a lot of the posts are anonymous, so I'm not sure the Facebook model will work."
ReplyDeleteHe added that Western companies tended to play "a cleaner game" in China - especially because they had foreign offices to report back to, whereas Chinese companies could be more ruthless in their negotiations with the Government, and react faster and more effectively to regulation. (http://technology.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/tech_and_web/article3653828.ece)
We may still discover that over time cultural differences formed by geographical boundaries will give way to greater homogeneity in a virtual global community, but I suspect that I will not see it. I will not make predictions about your generation.
I just want to say that I completely agree with you Chad about the obvious bias with which PBS made this video. From what I can tell they took four or five isolated, extreme cases about the negative consequences of the teenage use of the Internet and made it sounds like all teenagers partake in this behavior. As I type this I don't remember a single positive result of "growing up online" PBS reported. They didn't even try to be objective.
ReplyDeleteI definitely think the benefits we receive by growing up with the Internet outweigh any potential negative consequences. With the Internet we have the whole world at our fingertips, able to access a vast amount of information in a matter of seconds. Furthermore, social networking sites, like Facebook, allow us to keep in touch with friends and family members in an easy and convenient way. Sure, the Internet comes with risks, but so does any piece of technology. Fire is useful but it can be dangerous if the user is wreckless. By being responsible and using a little common sense, the Internet is a great thing.
The whole social-networking explosion in America is unbelievable at times. Facebook users are getting younger and younger. Also, different sites like Club Penguin are growing in members (my brothers and their friends helping out) like crazy.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.usnews.com/usnews/news/articles/070311/19penguin_2.htm
I think we lose a lot with social networking. Yes, our world is getting faster and more efficient, but we humans are becoming too dependent on technology. Kids learn how to talk to girls and make friends online through the persona of a penguin, but lack these skills in reality. Physical exercise has become a thing of the past except for one day a week in P.E. where kids race stacking cups.
I digress...
I don't think the benefits of social networking will ever outweigh the costs. What good that social networking does offer will never be correctly taken advantage of without being abused. Television was to educate the masses, but the masses watch Tool Academy on VH1. The Internet is a beautiful tool for education, communication, and information at my fingertips, but it is also increases availability to things like tips on suicide, how to make meth, and porn.