Social media is definitely more beneficial for society. The connection of people and ideas has been important to advancing civilization and social media has given us the ability to do that to anyone from anywhere. Having the opportunity to meet people that you may not have connected with otherwise is a pretty cool thing. I don't know if I would classify a parasocial relationship as healthy or unhealthy. I think it's healthy if you take it for what it is and then it's unhealthy if it starts to cross that line and get weird. But I'm not sure if I'm necessarily thinking of that correctly bc I'm not sure how else to look at it other than an artist/fan type of thing. The line starts to get crossed when people start getting put on pedestals. Also when it starts to get stalkerish.
1 year ago | 1
1. As with everything, moderation is key. For the most part, I believe social media is good since it increases exposure and outreach to people you wouldn't normally be able to access in your everyday life. There's been alot of good outcomes from the effects of social media on society: crowdfunding, online communities like Discord for people who usually cant find friends with shared interests around them, and the crowd sourcing of information and being overall connected with all of the happenings in the world. The problems arise when apps like Instagram, where everything is about how you present yourself, subliminally move people to start developing image problems comparing your life and achievements to other people and the now new thought of being famous and clout chasing. And i feel like if you aren't educated properly in how to treat other people online in a respectful manner, the default behavior seems to be online bullying and harassment since people commenting online feel like there are no consequences for commenting "anonymously" online. As a society, we definitely should hold online etiquette classes for how to act online. 2. Parasocial is definitely a new kind of relationship developed over the pandemic. When everyone was stuck inside, that's when we saw it really bloom as we needed ways to distract ourselves from being at home and the direness of covid. Online zoom calls, streamers, everyone was looking for ways to connect with other people. When it becomes unhealthy is when you start demanding things or becoming possesive of the people you follow, or thinking you actually know the persom that's crafting their public image online. So there's definitely a reality check you need to have since you don't actually physically know the real person even though you may follow them everyday. Ive definitely felt that pull since i always wished I had a real life friend group that was as cool and as present as the people I follow online. Sorry for all the bad grammar, will be formatted throughout today.
1 year ago (edited) | 1
1. I think social media in concept is a net positive for society, as it has introduced people to more people like them; however because we are a species that focuses on the negative rather than the positive, in practicality it is less beneficial owing to the hate and misinformation that is spread. 2. I think a certain amount of parasocial relationship is healthy, as it functions in the same way as previous forms of media parasocial relationships did (eg. Radio hosts, tv personalities etc). The problem with modern relationships like these is the capacity to actually contact the person and potentially get a response. For example, I myself have responded to Mike's Instagram stories and have had return messages, but I would never claim or assume that Mike knows me or is a friend of mine, whereas someone who feeds entirely off of Twitch or something similar might assume otherwise, which is when it becomes unhealthy.
1 year ago | 1
Answer 1: I think the concept of social media is a wonderfully positive thing for society-- it connects humanity on a global scale like never before and, because of that, is helping eradicate stigmas and prejudice of all kinds. It united folks of all different ilks together in one worldwide community, and I think that more exposure to stuff that's different from you is better for you (and the world) in the long run. ANSWER 2: Parasocial relationships are unhealthy, and I think the line is crossed when an audience starts to assume what the personality they consume thinks and feels. That's a lack of social awareness that's dangerous for both parties
1 year ago | 2
Social media is neutral, a tool, and the positive or negative comes with how the tool is used. So in a society that is perhaps not doing its best to look out for folks and to keep marginalised people from continuing to be marginalised, the tool is in the hands of folks who would wield it negatively. The tool has such potential, but society as a whole must change before it can claim to be a net positive.
1 year ago | 0
1. Social media is butt. 2. I ain’t never been friends with no ghost
1 year ago (edited) | 2
1. Social media is more beneficial. The people that use social media to post about their family or as a photo dump are doing it best 2. Parasocial relationships are fine, the problem is the online nature makes it easier to be abusive/abused. As more people understand the nature of their relationships, the better it gets The problem with both of these; people suck
1 year ago | 0
Social media might have been cool in a vacuum, but under capitalism it’s a nightmare. Parasocial relationships existed before social media but social media has definitely accelerated/enflamed them
1 year ago | 0
1. I believe there can be a net positive to be gained from social media. Much of the trouble comes from how difficult it is to create guidelines for how to behave online. It’s very addictive to scroll online and for a long time parents didn’t know the risks associated with social media. If we make an effort to teach in schools how to (and not to) use social media, that’d certainly help. Cars are invented… eventually seat belts are too, and then the public gets informed on how to use them and be safe. How to be safe online was not considered until creeps started using it to get to victims. 2. I do not believe parasocial relationships are inherently harmful. As long as any form of celebrity or performance has existed, there’s been the potential for parasocial relationships. Millions of people have looked up to Michael Jordan, and he never offered a fraction of the vulnerability many content creators do now. Humans are social animals so it’s only natural that we enjoy finding people we relate to or aspire to be like. These relationships become problematic when there’s no regulation of irrational thoughts. That’s only one of many potential negatives with social media. For example, when singer Christina Grimme was killed at a meet & greet. Obviously mental health plays a role, but there was no interference to keep that guy in check. His parents didn’t know about his obsession with her. Allegedly he discovered she had a boyfriend, and felt that if he couldn’t have her, no one should.
1 year ago | 0
1. I think that you need to be very mindful and curate your feed for social media. On twitter, youtube, and reddit, I deliberately make sure to only follow timeless informative information (e.g. travel, nature, hobbies, etc.) and stay away from anything gossipy, negative, or about celebrities or politics. If used properly, social media can be great, but you need to be intentional. 2. Eh. Just like anything else. If it’s impacting your or their life in a negative way, it’s too much. If I am following someone because I like their content for who they are (i.e. not the information they provide), I make sure I know I’m aware of that.
1 year ago | 0
I think the people who will study media effects will laugh to not cry about it
1 year ago | 0
Sorry, I've never had an opinion about anything, and I don't think anyone on the internet ever has? Good luck tho!
1 year ago | 0
mikefalzone
Hey players. WTOP is getting a new format and this time we're going to be asking *you guys* the questions. If you've ever had an opinion about anything before, your time has come. We want to hear it. The first topic we'll be diving into is the ole WWW. The world wide web. *O N L I N E* as a concept.
We have two questions for you:
Do you think social media is more or less beneficial for society? Why?
and
Are parasocial relationships healthy? When do they start to cross a line?
1 year ago | [YT] | 50