Blog #12: Final Post

My relationship with technology has been nothing but toxic and unhealthy. And I’m well overdue for a breakup. 

Our connection started off very innocent and platonic, but it soon became very obsessive. I was hooked, but worst of all, I was codependent. 

It took years for me to break free from the chains technology placed around me, but still, from time to time, I feel myself sinking back in.

I know I am not alone in this, either. The rise of technology has plagued society ever since I can remember.

Social media use is at an all time high right now. In 2022, it was reported that 95% of teenagers use Youtube, 67% watch Tiktok, 62% browse Instagram, and 59% use Snapchat. 

In high school, I was completely and utterly consumed by my phone. If I was not texting or FaceTiming my friends, I was scrolling through social media. I never missed a beat.

I did not realize it at first, but my online engagement really affected my overall demeanor.  

I allowed my mood to be determined by the amount of likes and comments I received on my posts, and I let my self-worth be dictated by social media stars who did not even know I existed. I gave social media power over me. 

As an impressionable teenage girl, it is easy to get lured into the seemingly perfect lifestyle that social media advertises. From the polished wardrobes to the flawless appearances to the picture-perfect relationships, it is no wonder why so many teenagers feel a sense of adequacy when using social media sites.

The Pew Research Center confirmed this in their 2022 survey by sharing that 40% of teenagers are reluctant to post on social media due to a fear of “embarrassment.” Young people might be more likely to post online if it were not for the unrealistic standards set by influencers.

It is no secret that the fear of judgment dictates the decisions of most young adults. But on the topic of social media, that is the least of their concerns because one of the most prevalent issues that teenagers face with technology is mental health. 

Specifically, a 2019 study conducted on over 6,500 12-15 year olds found that those who use social media for over three hours a day may be more susceptible to developing mental health issues. This can be narrowed down to the posts they view and the comments they read. Although the internet can be a source of knowledge and positivity at times, many of the posts and comments made on social media can be deemed as fake or hateful. 

To further drive home this point, a 2015 study discovered a link between depressive symptoms and social comparison through social media usage. The age of adolescence is a very important developmental phase for young people, and social media is severely impacting that by lowering self-esteem, encouraging online validation, and triggering mental illnesses.

Social media was created with the intent to give users an outlet to express themselves through posts, reconnect with old friends, and interact with people of diverse backgrounds. It is sad to see the turn it has taken since then.

Blog #11: EOTO Reaction

The EOTO that stood out to me most was the one about confirmation bias. Although we never really discuss it, it is something we all do. And it stems from the human tendency to want to be right all the time. 

Confirmation bias is defined as “people’s tendency to process information by looking for, or interpreting, information that is consistent with their existing beliefs.” In other words, confirmation bias makes people less inclined to interact with information that rejects their views. 

Confirmation bias occurs when people knowingly disregard information that contradicts their preconceived notions. Rather than attempting to become well-versed on the issue, those who fall victim to confirmation bias tend to only accept what they want to hear. That is because people do not like being told that they are wrong. 

In general, confirmation bias is associated with a negative connotation. This is due to the fact that it can cause people to disregard important facts which directly correlates to the spread of misinformation. 

While it is not good for anyone to engage in confirmation bias, it is especially harmful to those who work in the journalism field. When writing and reporting, it is essential to obtain all facts and assess all viewpoints before coming to any sort of conclusion. This ensures that the information being shared is impartial and accurate.

News should be neutral. But just because something should be, does not mean it is. That is why it is crucial to be able to recognize and question confirmation bias. 

In an effort to preserve objectivity and condemn confirmation bias, it is necessary to keep an open mind. No one likes being wrong, but it is important to learn how to accept it. 

Confirmation bias can be prevented by reading a variety of news sources, listening to a range of perspectives, and challenging assumptions. In doing this, we are limiting the spread of misinformation. 

It is easy to sometimes get wrapped up in our own thoughts and ideas, but it is important to recognize the difference between confirmation bias and truth. And it all comes down to being self-aware.

Blog #10: Living in the Age of AI

Artificial intelligence (AI) is a double edged sword. It presents both exciting opportunities and troubling drawbacks. 

Sometimes it works in our favor, and other times it works against us. But regardless of that concerning reality, it is all around us, from online chatbots to digital home assistants to food ordering devices at select restaurants.

It is something we cannot escape, and it is growing at a rapid rate. 

So, where does this leave us?

Well, the 2019 PBS Documentary “In the Age of AI” provides an in-depth overview on the concept of AI and how it is shaping our everyday routine.

On the bright side, artificial intelligence has transformed various industries and operations such as automation, customer service, and data analysis. AI has pushed the bounds of what was previously possible for computers, and thereby enhancing efficiency and productivity within workplace environments. 

Having said that, integrating AI into our daily lives comes with a number of concerns. These disadvantages range from job displacement to privacy issues to social surveillance. 

Specifically, Molly Kinders who studies the future of work at a Washington think tank shared in the documentary that “women disproportionately hold the jobs that today are at highest risk of automation.”

Take Mcdonald’s for example. Mcdonald’s Corp., along with many other fast-food chains, are beginning to steer away from in-person cashiers and instead towards mobile ordering screens. The intention behind doing this is to minimize human error and maximize revenue, but the fact of the matter is that this shift towards AI is eliminating jobs.

In addition to the fear of job displacement, artificial intelligence also brings up concerns regarding online privacy and social surveillance. These issues are a direct threat to our online security. When we adopt artificial intelligence in our lives, we limit our freedom.

As a matter of fact, Shoshana Zuboff highlighted in the PBS documentary that whenever we search or browse, we leave behind digital traces of our behavior. These traces are known as digital exhaust. 

Companies quickly realized how valuable these traces were for interaction and revenue. For this reason, they started applying machine learning algorithms to them to predict users’ interests. They then created data logs to come up with predictions of what people would click and what ads would be most fitting for each consumer. 

This means that everything we search is being monitored and later used against us. It seems like nothing is truly private nowadays. There is always a third party involved, profiting off of your actions.