Social media in and outside the classroom

by Keith Loh, staff reporter

Facebook, Instagram, Tumblr, and Twitter. For better or worse, these social media outlets have become incredibly popular throughout both the teenage community and cultures throughout the world. For some, it is a place of self expression, while for others, it is a place to be able to connect with others.

It is undeniable that social media has become a daily part of people’s lives for it has caused a shift in social norms. Being on the phone while at the dinner table was once considered to be a rude act, but is now accepted by many. For some, it may even be awkward to not have their phone on them because there is nothing to act as a distraction or to pass the time with.

“While eating with my family, everyone has to put their phones on the table face down and whoever checks their phone first, has to do the dishes,” junior Binnah Cha said.

However, social media does have its benefits. Social media can be used to connect people with one another, whether it’s friends from class or family members across the seas. Applications such as Facetime, Whatsapp and Viber act as a Skype so that even those that live in another country can see each other “face to face.”

“I use Facebook as a place to advertise a band that I represent by selling tickets, shirts and other merchandise. Since I am part of a group on Facebook, having access to a large group is people is relatively easy,” freshman Cindy Chen said.

With the use of social media and the internet in general, news is able to spread quicker than ever before. However, this comes at a cost of accuracy. It doesn’t even take a minute to make a tweet about something on Twitter, but it takes a newspaper industry an entire day to print something.  The problem lies as to who is a credible source.

However, it is debatable as to whether or not social media as a whole a positive thing. This generation may be more connected with the web, but has become disconnected with one another. The amount of friends you have on Facebook or the followers that you have on Tumblr and Instagram does not necessarily amount to friends that you have.

Research has also shown that social media has an affect on how one thinks independently. This is because people often follow the trends and fads that are set online such as the infamous cinnamon challenge. However, good can also be done using social media such as the ice bucket challenge because it raised both awareness and funds for the disease ASL. (Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis)

Online conversations have crippled how people communicate with one another. It has become common for people to be on their phones when at a social gathering rather than talking with one another. It has also become more prevalent that people use the term “LOL” instead of actually laughing. These abbreviations may be a faster way to express how one feels, but it lacks meaning and depth.

But at the same time, research has shown that social media does in fact enhance how one communicates. One that is timid and shy by nature, may be able to show their true colors and express how they feel when they are behind the security of their computers screens.

Despite the controversy of the use of phones in classrooms, some classes in school see it more as an advantage rather than a hindrance. In Mr. Reff’s Spanish class, students occasionally play Kahoot, an online website which students play on their phones to compete against one another. It feels like a game, but students are actually learning by answering questions projected on the smart-board. Whoever scores the highest amount of points is often rewarded a small prizes such as lollipops.

“Kahoot is a fun interactive way of teaching a lesson while tracking results and accessing myself as a teacher. I love kahoot,” Spanish teacher Mr. Reff said.