Recently, our school has been considering participating in the national “Screen-Free Week”. This is an annual event where families, schools, and communities stop using all electronics for one week. This event is thrown in hopes of spreading fun, connection, and discovery beyond screens and social media. However, this event is ineffective as it hinders everyday life and does not change or assist people in any way. In addition, our school should not participate in the national “Screen-Free Week” because those who use the internet are already more likely to be exposed to a diversity of ideas and people and they are half as likely to be socially isolated than the average American because of the close social ties the internet provides. The national …show more content…
For instance, “A recent follow-up study, ‘Social Networking Sites and Our Lives’ (Pew Research Center), found that the average user of a social networking site had more close ties than and was half as likely to be socially isolated as the average American,” (Source 1). Since people who use social media are half as likely to be socially isolated than the average American, that means that social media is benefiting those who use it rather than harming them. Moreover, since social media users tend to have closer relationships and social connections, social media helps its users become more social and closer to other people. Some would argue that because the Internet keeps us distracted, we never really learn and grow. However, even if the internet distracts us, there are many benefits that the internet provides that make the distractions worth it. These benefits include access to more information, closer social connections, and a greater variety of diverse ideas. In closing, our school should not participate in the “Screen-Free Week” because those who use the internet are half as likely to be socially isolated and have better social connections, so if we remove the internet for a week, we could be removing social connections as
(The National
To further convince the reader, Ludden uses a study referenced in a journal by the credible Duke University psychologist, Jenna Clark. The study addresses college students and how the more Facebook friends that freshman had, the less socially adjusted they felt, whereas with seniors, the more Facebook friends they had, the more socially adjusted they felt (Ludden). This was due to a majority of the freshmans' friends being friends from high school or back home, whereas most of the seniors' friends were friends that they had made in college, therefore they were more connected with them because they interacted with them both online and in person. This study makes it easier to understand how the effect that social media has on you fully depends on your use of it. It makes sense that one would feel isolated and less connected to their environment when they are spending their free time connecting with those who aren’t around them.
One reason that schools should not be participate in “Shut Down Your Screen Week” is because kids can learn using technology and the Internet. In this article, “Many interactive games encourage strategic and critical thinking, which helps kids grow intellectually” (Leigh Gossel). This means that, though most people say that that technology ‘dumbs down people’ and though there is perhaps some truth to that, letting technology ‘dumb down people’ should not happen unless we allow it to and technology can actually help kids learn. Also from the article before, “Between calculators, word processing, spreadsheets, slideshows, search engines, online dictionaries, thesauruses,
Is technology really creating a better world for people? With all the different types of technology, it is undoubtedly a part of everyone’s life today. Not only that, but technology could be viewed as consuming the world, dispersing information and so much that not all of it can be processed. Some people argue that technology is completely beneficial to its users, allowing quick access to all sorts of resources, but it is clear Foothill High School should join in the national “Shut Down Your Screen Week” because many teenagers have never been away from their devices for very long and could easily benefit from the forced interaction with real people around, and the psychological benefits of “unplugging” are numerous and attractive.
One of the most useful ways social media can be good for you is that it lets you stay in contact with your friends (section 2 paragraph 2). Even if they are thousands of miles away from you. You can share moments of
One of the primary criticisms leveled against social media is its illusion of connection. Price explains how these platforms make us feel connected, but the reality is far from it: "We mistake it for real connection, and as a result, end up neglecting our relationships in the real world" (Price,
“Access to the internet’s information lets us think better and faster,” stated by Nicholas Carr, author of “Is Google Making Us Stupid?” Teachers today use multiple outlets to teach their students information. The teachers use smart boards, projectors, computers etc. Washington wants to have “Screen Free Week,” which would make it so no screens are used at school for -one whole week! “Screen Free Week,” in Washington isn’t a good idea.
The author states “If you use Facebook to communicate directly with other individuals-by using the “like” button, commenting on friends’ posts and so on- it can increase your social capital” (Marche 21). Social media helps individuals to keep up with their communities and be more involved. Furthermore, reflecting on my colleagues’ ideas about using social media to connect more with the community, one said Social media can help connect more with the communities that are not close by and can’t see the people in the community face-to-face. Social media is important part of a community that makes individual less isolated. Social media provides quick access to the communities.
According to Price, “Most high-school graduates have spent more time watching television than they've spent in school” (Price par. 1). Attending school allows students to learn both academically and socially by building relationships through daily communication. However, Price argues that technology, such as television, gets in the way of these possible relationships. Instead of building stronger, more meaningful connections, newer generations choose to spend their time using technology. This detrimental choice limits faith in humanity because people choose to spend
In her essay, "Growing Up Digital: Wired for Distraction," Maggie Jackson writes, "As we grow more connected, we seem to be growing more distant" (Jackson 306). To combat this, it is crucial to encourage children to participate in social activities, such as sports teams or clubs. Additionally, parents should monitor their children's social media usage and encourage face-to-face interactions. Finally, technology has caused a decline in communication skills, both written and oral. In her essay, "Growing Up Digital:
Sue Honoré, an independent learning consultant who has studied people who were born from 1982 to 2002 has that “while young people are "undoubtedly capable of long periods of concentration", those who spend a lot of time alone using technology tend to have less in the way of communication skills, self-awareness and emotional intelligence”. It has been proven that around 31 nations that students who used computers everyday in class had lower test scores in reading and math than students who don’t use them as much (Study: Students Who Use in School Doesn’t Help Test Scores). Though technology is amazing and has given so many people different opportunities they would’ve never had before it is resulting in a few bad habits for students. Casey Schools systems around the United States have begun to rely on technology to teach their students instead of teachers to teach them. According Michael Godsey, a veteran high-school English educator, even said and agreed with many people today that we are at the point in time where since we have the internet at our fingertips, there is really no need for teachers
People whom are on Social Media are twice as likely to feel isolated. As the internet has grown people are seeing it in different light. The name “Social Media” was give as these sites were to bring people together and make them more included in today’s society. Experts on the topic say that in certain areas it’s quite helpful, while others argue how it’s keeping the younger generation away from face to face socializing and making them far more isolated. People feel more inclined to share opinions about SM because of its high impact on today’s online age.
There are still points that require being fixed, but the positive effects outweigh the negative ones. Social media is a very precious tool that can be used to meet new personalities, and allow people to be in touch with friends and families; it positively affects the world by empowering people to educate and work online and gives space for
People also stay connected and interact with one another, with their peers, people of similar interests, and even their family members. This helps strengthen their relationship even if they are busy with their daily routines. In addition, social media sites have become a platform for youth with similar interest or common discipline to get together, building connections and opportunities for their respective careers. Youth claims that social media not only makes their lives easier and efficient, it has become their lifestyle. While social media has seems to bring people together and help one another stay connected, it has created social isolation in regards to BBC News report.