SOCIAL MEDIA REFLECTION
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Communications
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Nov 24, 2024
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docx
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Social Media Reflection
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Indeed, social media has revolutionized the manner in which people connect, communicate, and express ourselves. It has become a paramount part of our social fabric, impacting different aspects of our lives. By exploring ones’ interactions with various mobile apps, one can gain noteworthy insights regarding our behaviors, preferences, and self-
perceptions. For instance, excess use of social media forums may signify a need for social validation or a desire for constant connectivity. By contrast, limited participation may indicate a preference for privacy or a deliberate effort to uphold digital well-being. Taking inventory of individual social media habits assists one to understand the role these apps play in shaping our identities and relationships.
i)
The ways social media impacts your own lives (Eg. What kind of mobile apps do
you interact with, how often and what does this tell you about yourself?
Arguably, social media has become an instrumental part of our daily lives, impacting our perceptions, interactions, and self-representations. Personally, I interact with different mobile apps, comprising Instagram, WhatsApp, Facebook, and Twitter. These forums afford me with a sense of connectedness, enabling me to remain updated with family, friends and global events. Particularly, Facebook is the social forum I that I spend most time on since created my account in high school. I check it upon waking up in the morning and frequently across the day whenever
I have a free time. Scrolling via my notifications and messages has become a Mindless habit to pass time, for instance during commercial breaks while watching Television or waiting for the bus. On average, I think I spend approximately 7 hours or 10 hrs. on Facebook every day. This passive, frequent use indicates it has replaced other leisure activities in my downtime.
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On the other hand, instagram is the app I which I think I frequently use after Facebook. On average, I think I spend like 5- 7hours browsing the stories and photos my friends and online influencers post. Scrolling via curated images provides me entertainment and assists stave off boredom. It also addresses my curiosity regarding what others are up to. Nevertheless, this consistent comparison could negatively influence my self-esteem on moments when I am not posting my own pictures. Retrospectively Instagram, like Facebook, indicates how active I have become in viewing my life through a digital lens.
Furthermore, snapchat is the app I use frequently for straightforward communication with
close friends. In particular, we send each other pictures showcasing little moments across the day, from silly snaps to what we are eating for dinner. This form of sharing inspires informal, casual check-ins between 3-7 friends daily without much effort or thoughts. While suitable for prompt updates, it also implies how my social interactions have become more superficial online than engaging face-to-face.
The app I lose most time to mindlessly is YouTube. When I have a few free minutes, I automatically pull up the app to watch recommended videos on topics like makeup tutorials, true crime documentaries or comedy sketches. It’s entertaining yet ultimately not very productive. My habitual scrolling demonstrates how dependent I’ve become on constant digital stimulation to fill small breaks in my day.
Nonetheless, I also acknowledge the possible pitfalls of excessive social media usage, such as the tendency to compare oneself to others and the fear of missing out (FOMO). By reflecting on my mobile app usage frequency and patterns, I obtain significant insights regarding
my interests, my need for social connection, and the impact of digital engagement on my well-
being.
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ii)Think about what you are interested in researching through a digital ethnography - is it: experiences; practices; things; relationships; social worlds; localities; or events?
When putting into consideration digital ethnography, it is imperative to articulate the focus of research. The areas of practices, experiences, relationships, things, localities, social worlds, and events provide fertile ground for investigation. For instance, am interested in examining the experiences of people navigating online dating forums or exploring the practices and underlying forces within online gaming communities. Besides, probing into the social worlds
impacted by influencers on forums like YouTube or exploring the effects of social media on local communities has also been captivating areas of study.
Digital ethnography provides a distinct lens across which one can comprehend the complexities of online communities, practices, and social dynamics. Investigators can consider investigating a broad range of phenomena, such as the happenings of people navigating virtual reality surroundings, the cultural practices emanating around online fan base communities, or the
establishment of social identities on niche social media forums. The digital sphere presents a rich
tapestry of human association that can be examined via various quantitative and qualitative research methods. By concentrating on specific domains of interest, researchers can discover valuable insights regarding the sophisticated interplay between digital spaces and human behaviors.
Online ethnography contrasts from traditional ethnography in a myriad way. In particular,
in traditional ethnography, investigators immerse themselves in physical communities, interacting and observing with people in their natural habitats. They depend on respondent
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interviews, observation, and field notes to obtain the nuances of social structures,
culture, and daily practices. By contrast, online ethnography happens within the digital landscape, where investigators navigate virtual societies, online forums, and digital artifacts. This type of ethnography frequently involves evaluating user-generated content, participating in online discussions, and observing social interactions within digital arenas. It demands adapting research
methods to depict the unique characteristics and challenges of the online environment.
Moreover, the digital landscape offers researchers with large volume of data, comprising user-based content, metadata. This plenty of information demands new approaches to data gathering and analysis. Online ethnography also presents new ethical considerations, as the restriction between researcher and participants become less distinct in online spaces. Furthermore, the lack of physical field-sites in online research presents challenges in terms of obtaining contextual information and undertaking thick descriptions that facilitates our understanding of societies and cultures.
iii) What are the main ways online ethnography differs from traditional ethnography? What ethical issues might you encounter in online research and how would you address these?
Participating in online research presents several ethical concerns that should be cautiously addressed. One key concern is getting informed consent from respondents, affirming that they comprehend the risks, purpose and confidentiality of the investigation. Privacy and anonymity should be safeguarded, specifically when dealing with personal information or sensitive topics. Covert observation may be viewed as deception, outlining the need for clear guidelines and transparency concerning the boundaries of online observation. Researchers ought to also be mindful of the possible harm that their presence or interactions may cause to communities or individuals and take measures to reduce these risks.
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Some ethical issues I must carefully consider include obtaining informed consent from participants who may not realize they are being studied. Anonymizing any descriptions or quotes
used will be important to protect identities, though complete confidentiality is difficult given publicly accessible data. Ongoing communication ensuring participant comfort levels is also needed. Overall, transparency and prioritizing well-being will guide my ethical approach. With mindful planning and addressing potential challenges, a digital ethnographic study offers an exciting method for gaining novel understandings of social worlds within networked digital spaces. Though observational research online introduces new complexities, following ethical best practices of consent, anonymization and respect for participants can help navigate those responsibly. My proposed study aims to offer fresh insights into shared experiences of internet culture while avoiding harming the very community under investigation.
In conclusion, exploring the impact of social media on our lives and conducting digital ethnography opens up exciting avenues for understanding the complexities of the digital world. By examining our interactions with social media platforms, we gain insights into our own behaviors and self-perceptions. Digital ethnography offers a diverse range of research interests, allowing us to investigate various aspects of digital culture, social practices, and online communities. However, ethical considerations are crucial in conducting online research, and researchers must navigate issues such as informed consent, privacy, transparency, and potential harm to participants. By addressing these ethical challenges, researchers can conduct responsible and impactful studies that contribute to our understanding of the digital landscape and its effects on individuals and societies.
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