Focus on how to be social, not on how to do social. Jay Baer. What is social media doing to our brain? Some experts believe that social media makes us smarter, while others may not agree. I think social media is not making us smarter, but it is however causing complex controversies. I believe that we as a society have become more reliant on social media to do the thinking for us instead of us taking the time to gain the knowledge and the willingness to maintain and manage thinking for ourselves. Social media is affecting the way we think, learn, and most importantly, the way we live our lives.
We have become so busy multi-tasking and making the internet the source of our information that our brain does not have the attention span that it takes to retain needed valuable information. Studies indicate that more than half of television viewers are multitasking: 61% are using the internet while they are "watching" television. If you constantly do something over and over again of course your brain builds a live wire and it begins to make that redundant process into a habit. However, when you are constantly checking emails, sending texts, and watching videos, your brain does not have the ability to take it all in and memorize it. Studies show that when you switch from one task to the next, there is a performance drop and you lose time, because your brain is trying to figure out where to stop and begin again. Being a human being, we are born with individual brain cell connections, and if we are constantly not focusing on that one thing, then are brains cells will not function as needed to store and memorize information.
I believe we are hurting our future generations by introducing computers and iPads into our schools. We are making it way too easy and convenient for these generations to rely on social media. It seems as though these students that are allowed to use these types of technology as resources are not getting the necessary information they need to know. When it is time to learn something new without the internet or computer, our brain becomes bored and some begin to think to themselves “I do not have time for this.” Therefore, by depending on the internet, students are not able to pass tests that are required to proceed to the next level or grade. Studies show that “Students who used social networking sites while studying scored 20% lower on tests and students who used social media had an average GPA of 3.06 versus non-users who had an average GPA of 3.82.” (ProCon.org. “Are social networking sites good for our society?" 12 Dec. 2012.)
In addition, relying on these types of technologies, I think it interferes in all sorts of situations, from school to social interaction. Some people will not or do not need to leave their home because social media has made certain things so convenient. Furthermore, to retain information from friends or family, all they have to do is send an email or a text message to get what it is that they need. This has caused people to lose the ability to be social and to be able to function in real society. These introverted individuals are what we need to try to keep our future selves from becoming. Not to mention, children that are growing up in this generation have been spoiled and frankly lazy with gaming devices, televisions, and cell phones. Equally, social networking sites disable employee’s performance and productivity and they can harm their job stability.
In contrast, number of people depending on technology is rising. For example, people are purchasing more cell phones, computers, and televisions than ever before. Social networking sites spread information faster than writing a letter, then placing into the mailbox and law enforcement officials use social networking sites to catch and prosecute criminals. Likewise, social media sites assist people to find jobs and employers to find employees. Comparatively, social media entertains us. Eighty-six percent of U.S.
In conclusion, I think we should limit ourselves to all social media and begin reading more books, and taking the opportunity to slow down to allow our brain to take in and retain information that is useful. If we allow things to continue the way they are going, we as a society will lose ourselves as individuals and we will all soon be just a search away. We need to revert back to the way we used to learn and utilize information and not allow social media to take over. I strongly agree that if we limit ourselves, then we will all become smarter individuals and have a healthier brain.
I am a social media advocate but understand that there should definitely be a limit, as you say. We need to learn how to do things the old-fashioned way as well :)
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ReplyDeleteVery good work,we have definitely become a digital nation. as everything else it has its pros and cons
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