The Social Shaping of Technology: Today's Technological Reality

In the second chapter of Nancy Baym’s ‘Personal Connections in the Digital Age’ she elaborates on the various ways in which society and modern media technology interact with one another. Within this chapter Baym explains that with the increasingly rapid developments of social media and digital technologies many individuals are becoming victims of certain anxieties that are associated with today’s digital media age.  Aspects of our daily lives such as our personal and professional relationships, the authenticity of online content and our personal perspectives of ourselves are negatively affected by these virtual realities. Baym suggests that our society is so reliant on these technologies that we no longer question their importance or use.

In this chapter the social shaping of technology perspective is defined by how society has adapted the way it functions on a daily basis in order to ensure that we have continual access to new and efficient technologies. It can be considered to be a middle ground between technological determinism and the social construction of technology. This perspective focuses specifically on how individuals throughout time have began to create their own meaning and use for specific technologies and platforms. Baym suggests that, “social media platforms engineer particular kinds of sociality even as their users develop norms around their use” (51). This statement holds true when discussing many social media platforms and digital technologies, such as the evolution of the mobile phone. Although originally intended to be used as a communication device, the mobile phone has evolved throughout time into a source of entertainment and a resource for vital information. It can therefore be argued that the rise of mobile phones into smart phones seems to be influenced directly by the popularity and social shaping of technology. Society has opted to influence the development of the mobile phone by allotting this form of technology and the various apps associated with it a specific importance or role in their daily lives.

Katherine Pommermning is a prime example of many teenagers in today’s contemporary society who fall victims of social media and the unrealistic expectations associated with these online social platforms.  If we were to ask any teenager whether he or she suffers directly from social media anxiety, their answer would most likely be no. With that being said it is apparent that the importance associated with likes and the fear of missing out on a social conversation (otherwise known as FOMO) play an influential role in the way in which young adults choose to interact with others and the world around them. It is extremely unfortunate that so many teenagers choose to translate a simple like on Instagram into personal validation, attention or even self worth. Katherine explains that she feels as if she needs to receive a specific amount of likes on a photo in order for her to keep the photo posted on her profile.

Social media anxiety among young adults is extensively detrimental to our society’s progression as a whole and should be actively addressed. I personally recall a specific story that bombarded the news a few years ago regarding a young teenage girl who had chosen to take her own life in an attempt to escape the ongoing cyber bullying she adhered daily too. This young girl is a prime example of how the Internet is perceived by young adults to be the main informational hub for all social conversations and interactions (both positive and negative). I have provided the link below to Amanda Todd’s YouTube video that she created to educate others about the ongoing struggles she was facing both internally and externally. I would like to note that although Amanda’s insecurities were associated directly with the Internet, she still found comfort in the platform YouTube as she reached out for love and support.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ej7afkypUsc

I chose this framework because it is evident that in today’s day and age both technology and society as a whole play an influential role in enabling various social anxieties onto many young adults. As stated in the Katherine Pommerening article, new technologies and social platforms are constantly being developed and evolved. However, in order for a platform or technology to prosper it must intrigue and entice consumers to not only purchase/use the product but also to promote and adopt the technology into their lifestyle. It is therefore apparent that so many teenagers face social anxiety strictly because they rely on their mobile phones and social apps so much so that they are incapable of functioning in society without the constant reassurance of constant communication with the outside world. I personally believe that we as a global society need to reenforce the importance of a healthy balance between online and physical (face-to-face) interactions in order to ensure that young adults understand and acknowledge their self worth.