Social Media causes us to be. It acts at every moment in our lives. It is there at leisure time, at meals time, at games time, at prayer time, at good and bad times. Social Media has geared our lives 24X7. What can we do without it? Can we do without it? Is it a must? These questions become a center of concern for parents. teachers and elders who are directly or indirectly caretakers of the youth in the families and the society. Why my child behaves this way or that way is a worry of some parents. Why my pupil does not behave the way I guide? is the concern of the teacher. Why the youth do not follow the old ways of the ancestors and parents? is the concern of the elders. ‘I am alright and I do not need your help’ – is the common statement of the children and youth who are totally dependent on social media. They feel confident of what is coming and going across through their internet apps. They think they have all the knowledge they need and feel confident that they have solutions to all their problems. Parents and children have their social media related concerns whereas the parents, teachers and leaders have the worry about their children and pupil.
We shall go deep into the social media and its drawbacks on the lives of their innocent children and youth and see how or whether it causes concern towards their parents, teachers and leaders.
Table of Contents
1. INTRODUCTION
2. SOCIAL MEDIA
3. USE OF INTERNET
4. INDIA A UNIQUE CULTURAL SOCIETY
5. MEDIA VALUE SYSTEM AND INDIAN CULTURE
6. CONCERNS CAUSED BY THE SOCIAL MEDIA
6.1 CONSUMERISM
6.2 BLIND AMBITION
6.3 CONFORMITY
6.4 CRIMINAL ACTS
6.5 SEXUAL PROMISCUITY
6.6 VALUELESS VALUES
7. ROLE OF PARENTS, TEACHERS AND LEADERS
8. CONCLUSION
Objectives and Topics
This work aims to examine the deep-seated concerns surrounding the impact of social media on the youth and traditional Indian society. It explores how digital interactions, consumerism, and the shift in cultural values challenge the roles of parents, teachers, and elders in guiding younger generations.
- The influence of internet-mediated communication on human behavior.
- The intersection of modern social media and traditional Indian cultural values.
- Key concerns including consumerism, conformity, and criminal activity online.
- The responsibility of parents, teachers, and leaders in fostering responsible digital use.
Excerpt from the Book
6.1 Consumerism
“Consumerism focuses more on having/accumulating than on being/becoming. It says that the more you have the merrier you are, and the better you are accepted and respected by society.”18 Keval Kumar so aptly mentions:
It is not without significance that we are urged to buy and to consume wherever we are and whenever we switch on the radio, TV, cable, or satellite TV, or read newspapers and magazines. Day in and day out we are bombarded with print and electronic messages promising us fun, frolic and happiness if we consume. It does not matter whether we have the purchasing power to try out impulse products like ice-creams, chocolates, candies, or soft drinks, but if we do not consume like the rest of the world we are likely to be left behind in the rat-race… The question that needs to be raised is: Do the mass media which thrives on advertising lead to excessive consumption in society, or is the other way around: does an affluent and economically developed society or community persuade the mass media to turn consumerist? …It is true that the world’s biggest markets for consumer product as well as for consumer durable are in the less developed countries.19
It at times interferes with the workings of society by replacing the normal commonsense desire for an adequate supply of life’s necessities with an artificial and insatiable quest for things and the money to buy them. An intended consequence of this, promoted by those who profit from consumerism, is to accelerate the discarding of the old, either because of lack of durability or a change in fashion.20
Summary of Chapters
1. INTRODUCTION: Outlines the pervasive nature of social media in contemporary daily life and introduces the growing concerns felt by parents and educators regarding youth behavior.
2. SOCIAL MEDIA: Defines social media and networking, examining the infrastructure and interfaces that have transformed how people interact and share content globally.
3. USE OF INTERNET: Analyzes the expansion of the internet into everyday existence and the dichotomized view of human behavior created by computer-mediated communication.
4. INDIA A UNIQUE CULTURAL SOCIETY: Explores India's transition from an oral culture to a mass-media society while maintaining its roots in "unity in diversity."
5. MEDIA VALUE SYSTEM AND INDIAN CULTURE: Discusses the conflict between traditional Indian values and the globalized, often commercialized values promoted by modern media.
6. CONCERNS CAUSED BY THE SOCIAL MEDIA: Investigates the negative repercussions of media consumption on society, ranging from psychological shifts to actual behavioral changes.
6.1 CONSUMERISM: Examines how media-driven advertising fosters an insatiable, artificial desire for material accumulation over genuine personal growth.
6.2 BLIND AMBITION: Critiques how social media promotes cut-throat competition and superficial status symbols over traditional values like humility and generosity.
6.3 CONFORMITY: Explains how the desire for social acceptance in an invisible digital culture leads to the erosion of individual initiative and creative thinking.
6.4 CRIMINAL ACTS: Addresses the dark side of internet usage, highlighting how platforms can be misused for criminal activities and how they serve as tools for both perpetrators and justice.
6.5 SEXUAL PROMISCUITY: Discusses the distortion of human sexuality through the normalization of pornography and the removal of boundaries between private and public spheres.
6.6 VALUELESS VALUES: Analyzes how the media acts as a catalyst for a shallow, commercialized worldview that disconnects individuals from genuine human values.
7. ROLE OF PARENTS, TEACHERS AND LEADERS: Emphasizes the need for guidance and the importance of helping youth navigate social media responsibly while respecting traditional customs.
8. CONCLUSION: Reflects on the dual nature of media and calls for an educational approach to ensure that the youth use technology in a way that remains socially and morally conscious.
Keywords
Social Media, Internet, Indian Culture, Consumerism, Youth, Digital Ethics, Communication, Globalization, Traditional Values, Social Networking, Parental Guidance, Media Consumption, Cyber Behavior, Values, Education.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the central focus of this work?
The work focuses on the pervasive influence of social media on modern life, specifically highlighting the drawbacks and concerns it poses to the younger generation and the traditional values of Indian society.
What are the primary themes covered in the text?
Key themes include the impact of internet-mediated communication, the clash between traditional and modern media-driven values, and the resulting societal issues such as consumerism and conformity.
What is the core research question or objective?
The objective is to analyze how the digital age challenges traditional child-rearing and societal structures, necessitating a more proactive role for parents and educators in guiding youth.
What scientific or theoretical approach does the author employ?
The author uses a qualitative approach, synthesizing existing research on media studies, communication theories, and cultural analysis to observe the effects of technology on social behavior.
What is discussed in the main body of the work?
The main body provides a detailed critique of specific social concerns, including consumerism, blind ambition, conformity, criminal acts, sexual promiscuity, and the devaluation of traditional ethics.
Which keywords best characterize this publication?
The publication is characterized by keywords such as Social Media, Indian Culture, Consumerism, Digital Ethics, and Parental Guidance.
How does the author characterize the impact of "Consumerism" on the youth?
The author argues that consumerism shifts the focus from "being" to "having," creating an insatiable need for material goods that replaces healthy, balanced societal norms.
What role does the author suggest for parents and teachers in the digital age?
Parents and teachers are encouraged to move beyond negative reactions and instead seek to understand digital psychology, providing guidance that helps youth balance technological usage with family and cultural traditions.
Does the author suggest that social media is purely detrimental?
No, the author acknowledges that while the focus is on the drawbacks, social media also projects values like charity, global social concern, and awareness of humanitarian issues.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Albert Fernandes (Autor:in), 2016, Social Media. A Cause Of Concern Today, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/384242
