Part 1
After reviewing the content by Haidt, I was understanding of the concerns mentioned and appreciated the concepts of humans being ultrasocial and in need of deep connection, however I do not believe that the platforms mentioned are not safe for young people. I feel there is a disconnect between generations and like many advances in technology, some conform differently than others and are benefitted differently. I believe the social interactions that Haidt felt were being taken away from adolescents disregard the current global state. I feel that social media did not remove the youths’ social life, but actually increased social life differently. I feel that face to face, is something that still happens today but at a lower rate. For example I feel that youth are able to communicate with family and friends easier. As someone that grew up in a disadvantaged neighborhood, I was not able to participate in many outdoor activities. Simultaneously, I also did not have access to others through technology or phones. As a result, growing up, I was extremely anti-social and only communicated with immediate family. I also feel that technology has been better for education as it provided answers to youth that were curious. I believe the incorporation of technology with school systems were rushed and the success of technology was dependent upon educators. Being technologically savvy has been a consistent requirement within many professional fields and I feel that many entering professional fields should understand how to use technology appropriately. I believe this would start with youth understanding what is appropriate technology usage and what is not.
Part 2
Currently, I strive to work with the population mentioned as I am passionate about working with youth. When considering the older population, I feel technology is more harmful due to skepticism and fear of the advancements being made. I have witnessed older adults being able to communicate with family members through platforms and connecting with others when they aren’t physically able to. Negatively, I have also witnessed older adults being scammed through advancements of AI on social media platforms. I believe there should be limits on the platforms readily available to the public. After reviewing the article, I recalled the social media platforms mentioned which made me consider the amount of consumer responsibility being taken. I feel the evidence within the article do not hold up with this population as individuals were able to acknowledge platforms that should not be utilized, I feel this awareness is a clear indicator that individuals are not being manipulated by these platforms.
I do feel that more technological advances would impact clinical practice with families as boundary confusion as mentioned in part one is a concern for both clinician and client. I also feel that older individuals may continue to have difficulties navigating more virtual services and understanding what is appropriate when communicating such as through unencouraged platforms. I feel their argument of certain social media platforms being harmful holds up well as the content can be misleading or harmful. Alternatively, I believe that the claim that education and social interactions are declining is more complicated as it is not a black and white issue.
Hi,
I enjoyed reading your post because you shared your own experiences with technology and how it helped you stay connected with others. One point I would challenge is the idea that people are not being manipulated by social media just because they recognize certain platforms can be harmful. I think people can still be influenced by algorithms, targeted content, and constant notifications even when they know the risks. During my placement at Carrie Steele Pitts Home, I have seen technology be helpful for communicating with foster and adoptive families and sharing information about workshops, but I have also seen how important face-to-face conversations are for building trust. Your post also reminded me of Haidt’s point about the decline of free play and independence among children. He argues that children need real-life experiences, not just online interactions, because they help develop confidence, problem-solving skills, and healthy relationships.