Widespread and anxious reactions to statements like Trump’s fire and fury spread fast across the Twittersphere. We can’t blame Twitter alone for the far-reaching impact of this kind of news. Only about 25 percent of the population is on Twitter (Greenwood, Perrin, & Duggan, 2016). This type of news reverberates across all channels, not just social media the news source for a frightening 62 percent plus of the population (Gottfried & Shearer, 2016). The psychological impact of the fire and fury climate lays as much at the feet of traditional news channels as social media—they report the event AND the response to it on social media. Like the telephone game, it's not long before … [Read More...]
Do Young People Feel the Need to Be Selfie-Ready?
Do young people feel the need to be “selfie-ready”? Before you go to the knee-jerk ‘yes,’ it’s important to separate out the developmental drives of young people—including a craving for social acceptance—from the impact of an increasingly visual culture. The bulk of selfie-taking occurs when young people are at the peak of their need to figure out who they are—much of which comes from social negotiation. Our identity is not created in isolation from our social world. We define ourselves in many ways. Thus, the various social tasks of adolescence and young adulthood, such as finding and gaining acceptance in a peer group, looking for a mate, finding a vocation, establishing a "home … [Read More...]
Don’t Call Stephens the “Facebook Killer – It’s Catchy But Wrong
It may be catchy, but wrong. Facebook is a tool, a platform. It’s irresponsible to call Stephens the Facebook killer. Yes, he live-streamed a murder on Facebook. It’s heinous, for sure, but to blame Facebook is like blaming the gun. That line of logic, while it may hold psychological and political appeal, fans the flames of technophobia and doesn’t solve any real social problems. Facebook is being used to broadcast Stephens’ killing but it doesn’t play a “role” in the killing. Facebook is a tool, nothing more. The availability of a social media platforms does not make people do things that they would not otherwise do. Criminals have historically used whatever media was available to brag … [Read More...]
Interview: Positive Psychology of Selfies – Empowerment Not Narcissism
In spite of the proliferation of selfie-taking in all kinds of contexts, people remain wedded to the idea that they are inherently bad. Early experimentation and the overabundance of duckfaces have given way to normal types of documentation of the process of life. Like all tools, intention and purpose define value, both to the sender and the receiver. Taking and sharing selfies can make you more appreciative of the process of life and allow you to revisit memorable experiences by increasing your attention to the moment and allowing you to share emotion and context with people who matter to you. Like most things, balance and mindfulness are keys to making sure your actions support your … [Read More...]