Social Activism vs Social Opinion

I am not one to post about my political views on social media. That is something I like to keep to myself. However, I have friends who tactfully share their point of view, and other Facebook “friends” who do the same not so tactfully.

While I think it is fantastic for people in the college age range to be able to get their voice out there and be active in movements and the political conversation of their choice, I also think it is important one is informed about what they are talking about.

This picture explains my and many others’ frustration . . . 

For example, I think there is such thing as an invalid opinion. To me, that means that someone is making a point just because; they have not back up for their words and no concrete reason behind their belief. In such cases, I think it is more appropriate for people to keep their thoughts to themselves, but continue to look at other’s valid opinions and comment and/or share their posts.

As this article points out, in reality, social activism online seems to be an illusion when it comes to numbers. Meaning online activism isn’t having as much as an effect on social issues as it may seem.

This is to say that all these opinions, whether valid or not, are still just opinions, and don’t make much of a difference. I think that while that may be the case now, that eventually those opinions will turn into actions. What do you think?

When it’s Time to put Down the Phone

We have all been in the situation where we go to hang out with a group of friends, and at some point every one of you are on your phones and there is just . . . silence.

Is there anything wrong with that? When is it the time to chill on your phone and when is it not appropriate?

This article outlines 10 situations you should really not use your phone. After looking at it however, I realized I do almost all of those things! How many do you do?

There are undeniably situations in which most of the population agrees that we shouldn't be messing around on our phones. For instance when driving. But we still do it.

I fear there will come a time when no situation is a time to put down your phone. This is a fear of mine because there is so much that can be done only without a cell phone, not to mention you don’t get the full experience of many events until you put down your cell.

This video says it all.

It is time we re-think how much we use our phones. 

#KylieJennerChallenge

Have you checked out what young teen girls have been doing lately? That’s right, the Kylie Jenner Challenge. If you have been living under a rock you may be asking, “Who is Kylie Jenner?”

She is this chick:

Photo Cred: Her Instagram . . .

She is a Kardashian, and is only 17. Her age and celebrity status makes her a source of inspiration to girls across the nation. However, she is a questionable role model, with her lavish lifestyle complete with parties and dropping out of high school.  Yikes!

So what’s the deal with this lip challenge thing?

Basically, girls are trying to achieve her luscious lip look by sucking on a cup; the challenge backfired for most and girls ended up with some seriously painful pouts.

This video highlights some of the worst of the worst, and let’s face it, is hilarious, so check it out.

This girl seems to have the right idea. Why would anyone do this to themselves? This encourages the question of how much influence to teen stars really have on the average teen that may be living under your roof? From this crazy example, the answer seems to be quite a lot.

According to the study in this article, celebrities do in fact influence teens a great deal. What else is new? I will answer that for you: social media.

I believe the interaction on social media between teens and their beloved celebrity creates a sort of foe friendship. In other words, teens think they are closer to them than they really are, and hence trust and admire them more.

What are your thoughts? 

“My Kid is Addicted to the Internet!!” . . . Really? . . .

Picture from Irina Dvalidze on the HuffingtonPost.com

It’s a concern parents have all across the country. Could their child really be addicted to the Internet? According to countless sources provided by Google, the answer is “Yes.”

 The website for Illinois Institute for Addiction Recovery has an entire section devoted to this addiction, right up there next to alcohol and drug addictions. There is even a hotline to call in case of emergency, and a list of warning signs, which after reading . . . I have some bad news. I apparently have fallen victim to Internet addiction! According to this list of signs, of which half I am guilty of.

My hesitation to accept Internet addiction as a serious health concern does not indicate that there are not those obscure cases out there, in which people really do suffer from such a condition. In a study conducted in 2000, three out of five participants appeared to really be addicted to the internet.

For example, in this study a poor guy named Gary considers the internet to be his friend, and “displays all the core components of addiction and like many addicts, denies he has any kind of problem.” Gary also, however, has a set of other mental health issues, and suffers from a condition called neurofibromatosis. He simply uses the internet as an escape.

In even more intense cases “internet addiction” can result in DEATH. Check out these 5 most extreme cases.

So what about your kid? Or yourself? Are you addicted to the internet? Probably not . . . but here’s a cool quiz to check and see if you are. I am “Borderline Addicted”.  

Back on a serious note, I personally think that what many-usually adults-consider to be internet addiction, is just that “sucked in” quality the media can have on people. Being “sucked in” does not compare to being truly addicted to something. Danah Boyd in her book It’s Complicated outlines this approach.

Boyd thinking labeling the time teens and kids spend on the Internet as “addiction” is just another way for adults to try to control the younger generation. It isn’t that kids cannot resist the Internet, they just really would rather check Instagram than clean the bathroom or do their homework. It is as simple as that. This however freaks adults out because they can’t control it, no matter how hard they try.

My advice? Take a deep breath, chill out, and watch some Netflix. You know what they say, if you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em.