Journal_2_Giroux_Madison_40241699
docx
keyboard_arrow_up
School
Concordia University *
*We aren’t endorsed by this school
Course
307
Subject
Communications
Date
Apr 3, 2024
Type
docx
Pages
2
Uploaded by AdmiralTank13299
Journal 2: The Dark Side of Social Media
Reflect
Having used social media for many years and in a sense “grown up” with it, I understood the documentary very well. As much as social media can be fun to use, there is a dark side to it. As a digital citizen, it is important to take the time to evaluate information and check the source (Brandenberg 2020). There is a big spread of misinformation because users assume it to be true especially regarding bias. On social media it is very easy to connect with people who share the same interests, hatreds, thoughts, and political views as you, creating biases or hate groups. We are currently seeing the dark side of social media with the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Although social media has help spread awareness, it has done a lot of damage and caused conflicts of its own. We are seeing an enormous amount of misinformation and division between people to the point it reached the school in a disruptive way. Another way to be a good digital citizen is reporting this misinformation and hatred on social media platforms (Brandenberg 2020). I have done an essay on the danger of social media in CEGEP so I already knew a good amount of the elements mentioned in this lesson, although I believe it is an important one to have to either teach those less aware of the dark side of social media or to serve as a reminder for those who do. I fall victim to misinformation sometimes because of my emotions towards what I see. I am still working on finding the source of information before believing it, but I keep my emotions to myself instead of using social media as a way to let them out which is a practice I think many people should do. Evaluate
To raise digital etiquette awareness among digital citizens, several strategies can be implemented. First and foremost, educational programs should be integrated into school curriculum, teaching students the importance of critically evaluating information and checking sources and spreading awareness on cyber-bullying (Oh 2023). These programs can include real-
world examples, such as the impact of misinformation on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, to emphasize the consequences of uncritical consumption. As for cyberbullying, schools can bring guest speakers who fell victim to cyberbullying to show its impact firsthand and teach students about digital citizenship. Additionally, social media platforms should take an active role in promoting digital etiquette. Implementing user-friendly tools for reporting misinformation and promoting fact-checking initiatives can empower users to contribute to a healthier online environment (Bellemare 2020). Moreover, public awareness campaigns involving influencers and celebrities can leverage their reach to spread the message about responsible digital citizenship. These campaigns could emphasize the dangers of echo chambers and the importance of diverse perspectives on social media. By integrating these strategies, we can create a multifaceted approach to raising awareness about digital etiquette, addressing both educational and platform-based aspects, ultimately fostering a more responsible and informed online community (Thompson-Kuhn 2022).
Word Count: 493
References
Bellemare, Andrea. “Social Media Firms Catching More Misinformation, but Critics Say ‘they Could Be Doing More’ | CBC News.”
CBCnews
, CBC/Radio Canada, 20 Apr. 2020, www.cbc.ca/news/science/social-media-platforms-pandemic-moderation-1.5536594
. Brandenberg, Ryan S. “Your Guide to Being a Good Digital Citizen.”
Temple Now | News.Temple.Edu
, 7 Oct. 2020, news.temple.edu/nutshell/2020-10-06/digital-citizenship-0.
Oh, Erin Wilkey. “Teachers’ Essential Guide to Cyberbullying Prevention.”
Common Sense Education
, 23 May 2023, www.commonsense.org/education/articles/teachers-essential-
guide-to-cyberbullying-prevention
.
Thompson-Kuhn, Colleen. “Four Ways to Use Influencers to Move People from Awareness to Action.”
Ad Council Org
, Ad Council Org, 14 Dec. 2022, www.adcouncil.org/all-articles/four-ways-to-use-influencers-to-move-people-from-
awareness-to-action
.
Your preview ends here
Eager to read complete document? Join bartleby learn and gain access to the full version
- Access to all documents
- Unlimited textbook solutions
- 24/7 expert homework help