Miller 8
Holmdel High School
Social Media: Stunting our Growth
Paulina Miller
Honors English 12
Mr. Herman
June 4, 2014
The way society defines and uses media has consistently changed throughout history, however, for as long as man has communicated, media has been social. Media is our medium to communicate with one another. The evolution of this into social media has raised controversy for over half a century. The argument regarding children and the use of social media has been a constant in this debate. As the simplicity and ability to use a variety of technology in social media has grown, so have the concerns for what type of social media we are using. The age at which we introduce children to these technologies is decreasing at an alarming rate. This progression is taking place both inside and outside of the home. Children are interacting in social media before they can even read, using computers and gaming systems.
English: Infographic on how Social Media are being...
English: The Aviation and Missile Command can now ...
English: Data from April 2011 Editor Survey that l...By emphasizing the use of technology, our society is encouraging kids to create a virtual world. With this constant push to learn and use technology and social media, we are failing to teach children how to behave and function in the real world. Because they are not interacting on a personal level, they are not learning fundamental skills in socialization. Social media negatively affects childhood development because it limits their ability to understand social cues, to understand conversational tones, and to communicate face to face.
Word Count 1698
Since ancient times, socialization has been a ritual originating in the home. Socialization is the process of acquiring culture (McNeil and Ji 7). The skills taught to children, which will help them to interact with the world and people around them, begins with the practice of interacting with members of their own family.