According to class notes, a social network system must fulfill three requirements: (1) enables users to construct a public or semi-public profile within a bounded system, (2) articulates a list of users that they share a connection with, and (3) allows the user to view and traverse their list of connections and those made by others within the system. Of course, in its’ earliest forms it was simply a means by which users could share files but as the technology progressed, online social networking began to change the way our world communicates.
Social Networking has evolved through many different platforms such as Friendster, Myspace, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. These platforms, innovated by different people, have emphasized certain forms of media over other forms. For example, Instagram is a social network that allows people to post pictures with the help of their photo editing tools while Twitter is much more geared towards computer mediated communication.
However, the important thing to understand is that the purpose of both Twitter and Instagram, and for all existent social networking platforms, is to enable users to connect with other users. It’s safe to say that Facebook, or founder Mark Zuckerberg, has become the guru of online social networking.
He concluded, “SNSs are unique in that they expose not only users to pictures of their ‘friends’ but also to traditional media images of the body ideal (through shared photos, external links, and advertisements). The confluence and abundance of these pictures and images in one online space may significantly impact users’ body image.” (244).
Flynn’s study can help us to better understand the impact that social networking has on one’s self-perception. It’s possible that social networking may be impacting its’ users in ways that they are unaware.
Considering that social networking is mostly consistent of self-presentation (user profiles), users need to rediscover the line between reality and altered presentation.
Reference:
Flynn, Mark. (2016). The Effects of Profile Pictures and
Friends’ Comments on Social Network Site Users’ Body Image and Adherence to the
Norm. CyberPsychology, Behavior, &
Social Networking, 19(4), 239-245.
Hi Anthony!
ReplyDeleteI am an active social network user and have been for a really long time. I too believe these networks have evolved over the years and have been greatly updated. Because I have been a user for many networks, I’ve been able to see the issues other users have with their ‘body images’. I have also been a victim of low self-perception because of social networks as well. Many celebrities who post are always edited to perfection and make people think there’s something they need to change about themselves. This is sad because these networks were made to be fun and to communicating with people all over the world but somehow this issue came about.
-Audrey Hamilton
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ReplyDeleteAnthony,
ReplyDeleteI definitely enjoy social media and use it often for motivation to workout. I avidly follow athletic accounts and sports accounts to motivate myself to stay active and fit. I will admit that, as you mentioned, 'body image' can be a little difficult at times like when I miss a day of working out then see a fit woman it does the opposite and makes me feel guilty.
Kellsey Dunn
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I feel that the concern over how social media and its use of direct self-representation in the creation of a profile is valid. I think it is easy to assume that when social media is a large part of your life (as it for many today and will be for many more in the future) it can impact one’s self-image. The consequence of constantly having access to images and status updates of others is probably a significant degree in comparison, whether that is through the lens of body image or social status.
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