Hanging Out, Messing Around, and Geeking Out

Kids Living and Learning with New Media Chapter 2: Friendship

By: Maha Jaber

CMS 298

Friendship and Social Media • Chapter 2 discusses how social media is embedded

in friendships amongst teenagers. Social network sites like Facebook and Myspace have become the new “hangout” for teens. Other social media such as mobile phones and instant messaging offer a more intimate one on one friendship interaction (p.80).

Friendship and Social Media • FYI note :I have never had a MySpace account

• Facebook and MySpace are frequented as the new peer groups for teens and their friendships.

• “While the dominant practice of teens in MySpace and Facebook conform to a hanging out, friendship driven genre, kids sometimes also use these practices as jumping –off points to messing around and more “geeked out "interests “ (p.81)

• I suppose this can mean anything from exploring technology, uploading and watching videos to inventing a new application or new use for an existing social media or technology. The messing around part could possible lead to not maximizing time well, to even leading to cyber bullying.

Making Friends, Keeping Friends, Drama between friends, Issues of Status and Attention:

(p.81) I suppose all that (drama ) exists in real life friendships not only in social media: do you agree?

www.bitrebels.com

www.bitrebels.com

Will all these methods be old news in 20 years? I wonder………..

Status in Social Media • Teens use social media to represent and play out

means of status when they are away from school.

• Online “spaces” have become the new high school grounds where kids of like interests can bond and connect with “fitting in, being cool and standing out” (p.84).

• These full time connective technologies methods of social media provide seamless methods to carry on what starts into full time interactions.

Status in Social Media

What is the gain from social networking sites?

• Norms are developed and maintained.

• This new form of media allows for literacy exchange.

• Teens are in harmony (more often) with their peers and friends.

• Ideas, emotions and cultural are shared and strengthen connections.

• Allows parents to monitor new developing norms and interfere (as appropriate, when aware).

What is the gain from social networking sites?

• Given the importance of social media , networking can help attain interactions with college connections.

• Sociability is strengthened (this is an important skill).

• Positive interactions may be intensified

• May become more technology savvy and encourages technology skills.

• A new communication tool.

The downside? • Responsibility!!!! Youth must be aware of what they

post and how it can harm/affect another person. Some good advice might be: if

You are unwilling to say it in person, do not say it on Facebook, MySpace, or other social network sites.

The downside?

• This quasi-public space is also owned and controlled by a corporate entity.

• Negative interactions may be intensified.

Summary

• Use common sense and be aware that once it online it is so hard to get rid of or take back.

• And be careful of what you say, who you communicate with and what information you exchange with Facebook friends, especially those who are only “friends” on Facebook (or other “friends” on different social media sites.

References

• Mizuko Ito et al (2010). Hanging Out, Messing Around, and Geeking Out: Kids Living and Learning with New Media.

Cambridge, MA: MIT.

• www.bitrebels.com

• http://www.themediamarketingco.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/social-network-advertising.jpg

• bvanthro.wikispaces.com

• www.facebook.com

• http://www.google.com/search?q=status+on+facebook&bav=on.2,or.r_qf.&biw=1440&bih=799&bvm=pv.xjs.s.en_US.seW1cfrvSKg.O&um=1&ie=UTF-8&hl=en&tbm=isch&source=og&sa=N&tab=wi&ei=Kv76UYzKBufh4AOcwIGABg#facrc=_&imgdii=_&imgrc=FO2nhGZx1qoCsM%3A%3BwnhMQQfqy3FDoM%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fcoreyporter.net%252Fwp-content%252Fuploads%252F2012%252F07%252FScreen-Shot-2012-07-28-at-10.09.42-AM.png%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fcoreyporter.net%252Fnew-like-my-status-facebook-cover-free-download%252F%3B1920%3B1080

• http://gigaom.com/2011/06/21/the-downside-of-facebook-as-a-public-space-censorship/

• http://www.hercampus.com/love/relationships/importance-facebook-relationship-status-its-well-complicated