Charles Beers, Jubal Early, Lukas Yeshitla
Social Media & Social Capital
Introduction
One of the most divisive discussions in modern computer science is whether or not advances in social media and social capital have had a mostly beneficial or adverse effect on society. The most outspoken critics of social media platforms and their tightening grip over our lives have pointed to this current generation, one that cannot remember a time without the Internet, as a indication of the detrimental effects of a smartphone-dominated world. There is no denying that children’s interactions have gravitated further into social media platforms such as Snapchat and Instagram, reducing face-to-face socialization and increasing their frequency of anxiety and depression. Social media detractors have also pointed to the prominence of the Chinese social credit system, which assigns numerical values that can either provide rewards to or impose restrictions on users, as an alarming representation of how invasive social media platforms can permanently damage our way of life.
While those who argue against social media and its effects are often the most outspoken, there are various studies that have discovered unique benefits to building large networks. Based on our class discussion, LinkedIn proved to be an overwhelmingly popular networking platform, enabling its users to contact company recruiters, make professional connections, and present themselves in their best possible light. We also analyzed how increased social capital through social media allowed users to have better access to medical resources, as well as a greater emergency response rate during natural disasters. Based on this research, we came to the conclusion that the social media debate is much more nuanced than we had originally anticipated, forcing each of us to weigh the benefits and drawbacks of the platforms we use, as well as work through our class discussion to devise strategies that better optimize our social media usage as a whole.
The iGeneration and Technological Lethargy
Photo: Penn Today
While some members of the class argued that our generation should not be defined by the smartphones we use, there was no denying that the rise in social media platforms such as Instagram and Snapchat have severely limited our ability to hold genuine conversations and face-to-face interactions. This “iGen”, a term generated in The Atlantic article we reviewed, seems trapped in a state of lethargy, losing the drive for independence and real-world experiences that defined the generations before them. According to research studies on teenage mental health following the rise of smartphones, rates of depression and suicide have skyrocketed since 2011, a trend that can be attributed to our increasing isolation and dependence on social media for external validation (Twenge). Instagram likes and Snapchat streaks are perfect examples of this cycle of dopamine addiction, leading children to base their self-worth off of arbitrary numbers determined by their friend groups. These studies seem to prove that the more time people spend staring at screens, the more detached they become from their surroundings and more likely they are to suffer from mental illnesses. Based on our class discussion, a healthy moderation of social media usage seemed to be the most effective proposed solution to this issue, as the influence of billion-dollar social media platforms shows no signs of diminishing for the foreseeable future.
Photo: Netflix
Fact-Checking “Nosedive”
The Black Mirror episode “Nosedive” depicts a world in which everyone is judged based upon a subjective rating system. The number associated with how well a person is perceived by the general public determines their social “fit” amongst their peers. We see the adverse effects of having low scores in various scenes: being unable to enter your workplace, not qualifying for specific modes of transportation, and even viewed as a potential threat to society that requires imprisonment. Although this episode was effective in illustrating the perils of such a widespread system of public rankings, the applicability of this system as demonstrated by the Netflix special was not so realistic. According to NewStatesmanAmerica, a more likely alternative of a credit score system in the United States would involve scores that are based upon a more objective, federally-mandated system, as is the case in China (Jefferson). Regardless of the accuracy of the episode in its depiction of the logistics of social credit, “Nosedive” was successful in opening our class conversation towards the perils of an unchecked social capital in an increasingly technological world.
Photo: The Asian Institute for Policy Studies
China’s Social Credit System
China’s social credit system, a national initiative that will be implemented and developed over the course of the next two years, embodies the magnitude of social capital in the 21st century and the a more realistic version of the disturbing future presented “Nosedive”. The class discussion surrounding the ethical implications of a credit system based on acts of goodwill or productivity reveal how many people are skeptical of the growing influence of social capital. In particular, many students expressed their fears that a social credit system would give the government too much power and insight into the personal lives of its populous, analyzing seemingly mundane actions such as if they play too many video games or purchase diapers. This led us to discuss who should get to decide what actions should be considered morally right and wrong in society, as well as how this system favors disingenuous people who perform charitable actions for the implicit rewards they expect in return. The class’ consistent disapproval of China’s system pushed our group to play devil’s advocate: we highlighted how the social credit was beneficial to their country since it provided a way for citizens without financial credit to take out loans. Nevertheless, the majority of the class still pushed against a credit system based on social capital, and almost unanimously disapproved of the growing influence social capital has in society.
Photo: Udemy
LinkedIn: Presenting Your Best Self
LinkedIn provides a great example of how social media can be utilized to establish and expand one’s social capital in spite of the inherent dangers posed by the greater social media environment as a whole. As discussed in class, the platform serves as an opportunity to create a divide between professional life and social life. There is tremendous value in being able to portray your best self in search of a career opportunity or with the hope of cultivating a healthy professional network of connections. Through LinkedIn’s “Endorsements”, “Experience”, and “Education” sections, users are able to shine light on their professional capabilities without forgoing the immediate satisfaction and interconnectedness of other platforms. However, users must recognize that this comes with a price. Linkedin, like most social media apps, is only advantageous to people who continue to give out personal data that makes them look more appealing to job recruiters. For instance, “Social Media Today” noted that LinkedIn released a new artificial intelligence program to help recruiters find the best available prospects based on personal data from their previous employer searches (Hutchinson). Based on this development, it is clear that the growing value of personal data and professional recognition comes at a cost for LinkedIn users who wish to remain private. To those willing to take the risk, however, the odds of landing an interview for their dream job have never been higher.
Photo: Getting Smart
Building Networks and the Benefits of Social Capital
The development of a professional network can help create and expand your career path through various inherent benefits. Today, more than ever before, people are able to generate connections around the globe. Those in resource-barren locations are able to tap social capital pools in resource-rich areas that were previously out of reach. In doing so, modern social networks are growing for the under-exposed, leading to a more level playing field and increased professional opportunity. The article entitled How Does Social Media Affect Social Capital Article, reveals how Linkedin and Twitter has allowed for increased social bridging by allowing people to connect with their friend’s connections/followers and increasing their network to gain job awareness (Keilson). On the hand, social networking sites have helped, small businesses flourish and bring competition into markets previously dominated by larger companies by lowering advertisement costs and generating a customer base with enhanced organic search through greater data access. In turn, social media has allowed for increased connections through mutual friends, which has allowed for greater, more meaningful social networks that promote job finding, customer retention, prospecting and greater social advancement for individuals and business.
Photo: Unicef
Social Networks & Health
Social media has not only transformed the way people find jobs and build connections, but it has also played a major role in advancing emergency response care. As noted in our class discussion, large social networks have allowed for news regarding emergencies to spread faster between social circles. Surveys also indicate that people with social media are more likely to evacuate when a natural disaster hits simply due to the personal connections from which they hear the warnings. Through social media platforms, people gain greater access to general evacuation warnings from the Twitter accounts of news outlets, as well as receive notifications from friends and family on Facebook. Family members can even mark themselves as safe in the midst of dangerous situations such as public shootings or severe weather conditions. To understand the influence of social media on emergency response, PR Daily compiled various statistics on data usage during several major natural disasters, emphasizing how social media accounts heightened communication during these times of uncertainty and raised funds for those financially burdened by the tragedies (Allen). This growing dependence on social media for news and health and emergency information has almost made it a requirement to own a social media account in order to stay updated on any dangerous situations, ranging from storms to disease breakouts to shootings.
Conclusion
Based on our individual research and in-class discussion, it is clear that there is no perfect solution to the social media debate. While there are obvious negative trends associated with this smartphone-oriented generation, including a lower frequency of face-to-face socialization and increased risks of mental disorders due to this isolation, there are also undeniable benefits from platforms that emphasize networking, professionalism, and solidarity in the face of hardship. Social media and social capital will not disappear from our society anytime soon: China’s social credit system has made this fact abundantly clear. However, if we better educate our children about both the benefits and drawbacks of their smartphone use, as well as encourage them to embrace the time they spend away from their devices, our culture can effectively harness the positive aspects of social media platforms without devolving into another “iGeneration.”
Sources Cited
Allen, Kevin. “Social Media: The New Face of Disaster Response.” Articles | Home, 30 July 2014, www.prdaily.com/social-media-the-new-face-of-disaster-response/.
Hutchinson, Andrew. “LinkedIn Updates Recruiter Platforms, Adds New AI Tools to Improve Matches.” Social Media Today, 14 Feb. 2019, www.socialmediatoday.com/news/linkedin-updates-recruiter-platforms-adds-new-ai-tools-to-improve-matches/548396/.
Jefferson, Ed. “No, China Isn’t Black Mirror — Social Credit Scores Are More Complex and Sinister than That.” New Statesman, 27 Apr. 2018, www.newstatesman.com/world/asia/2018/04/no-china-isn-t-black-mirror-social-credit-scores-are-more-complex-and-sinister.
Keilson, R. “How Does Social Media Affect Social Capital?” ISYS6621: Social Media and Digital Business, 4 Feb. 2015, isys6621.com/2015/02/03/how-does-social-media-affect-social-capital.
Twenge, Jean M. “Have Smartphones Destroyed a Generation?” The Atlantic, Atlantic Media Company, 19 Mar. 2018, www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2017/09/has-the-smartphone-destroyed-a-generation/534198/.
