Young People and Internet Communication - Free Paper Sample

Living in a digital generation composed of various media, Technology has played a role in shaping young people's lives in many ways, with communication as the most prominent way. Televisions and radios as communication tools are quite significant; however, they have undergone an elemental change in the wake of digitalization. The spread of the internet has caused a world-changing impact, especially in the Education sector. However, the use of the Internet among young people is heavily debated. For the millennial generation that grew up without internet exposure, its effects are more damaging and harmful to young people than its benefits. Their concern is understandable, but its many benefits for youths outweigh the negativity of the internet as it facilitates more comfortable communication and even interaction.

Is your time best spent reading someone else’s essay? Get a 100% original essay FROM A CERTIFIED WRITER!

Order now

Lisa Lee opens his argument by drawing his concern on the key processes and outcomes of internet use and practices among teenagers (Lee & Lisa, 2005). He continues to argue that the digital generation prefers to communicate with their peers electronically rather than face-to-face, leading to the creation of many online media platforms in the form of Apps. Statistics and data collected show that these platforms have become a significant wheel, giving most young people the feeling of connectivity with their friends; hence much time is consumed in connecting with friends on the internet.

Social media is the home of diversity where youths generate new ideas and greater perceptions, not least in the world of reality. They get to access information easily through interactions. On the other hand, a more significant percentage seems to be left out due to their inadequate means of self-presentation and digital illiteracy. As Bernie Hogan elaborates, self-presentation on social media has become an alarming issue since it is the only means of explaining differences in meaning and online participation activity. He argues that social media frequently creates files of photos posted, individual status updates, as well as chatting (Hogan & Bernie, 2016). However, many youths find this a challenge as some would prefer to keep their personal status private.

Digital illiteracy has left many young people miserable, as witnessed in Israel regarding youths' connectivity to digital communication. In the process, many young people in Israel have landed in the wrong people's hands while accepting friends. To curb the problem, the Israeli Protection Authority recently launched guidelines on data protection tips for online users to help young people interact freely (Reingold &Basman 2019). Also, to protect young people from sexual harassment and bullying and secure personal data.

Regardless of the benefits that internet communication has on the youth, it has also played a significant role in promoting immorality and misuse of sexuality. Rebekah blames the invention of camera phones, saying that they have progressively been used as a tool for immorality as they are used in recording controversial disciplinary acts like pornography and other sexual acts. He adds that these acts are regularly promoted by the continuous sex talks and discussions that young people have on the platforms (Willet & Rebekah 2010). These acts also negatively affect young people's academic lives since more time is consumed on sex-related discussions.

References

Hogan, Bernie. International Journal of Communication, 2016

Lee, Lisa. Young people and the internet: From the theory of practice, 2005

Livingstone, S. Risk, and Harm on the internet. Media and well-being of children and adolescents, 2014.

Reingold, Basman. Social inequality, childhood, and the media, 2019

Willet, Rebekah. Always on camera: Camera phones, video production, and Identity, 2009.