Modern Day Technology Impact On Youths

Running head: MODERN DAY TECHNOLOGY IMPACT ON YOUTHS 1

Modern day technology impact on youths:

Name of the student:

Name of the institution:

MODERN DAY TECHNOLOGY IMPACT ON YOUTHS 2

The modern technology has contributed significantly to the identity of today’s society.

Regarding the modern technology and the youths, it would be appropriate to say the youths are

the part of the community broadly embracing technology. Modern technology has affected all

individuals of different ages and in diverse ways of life. The modern technology has influenced

education¸ economy, health, and housing among other areas. One of the crucial areas that

technology has enabled is the globalization. It is the way in which the way in which the world is

integrated largely by business organizations. It relates to how social media and social networks

have brought together youths from different continents. The young people in the society are the

most informed on matters regarding technology. One of the common aspects that can be

observed among the youths globally is the change in culture. All over the world parents and

concerned parties are complaining about the change in the traditional beliefs, norms, and values

among the youths. The paper will discuss how modern technology such as social media, reality

television, and popular culture affects the youth’s moral judgment and perspectives on

themselves and the world around them.

The reality is that technology is here, and people need it in any way of their life. There is

nothing better to blame than the existence of advanced technology. The modern technology has

made it possible for such social networks as, Instagram, Facebook¸ Twitter¸ LinkedIn, and Skype

and other social networks. In line with the social aspects, it is to questions humans in line with

the following.

 Have the technology trends as social media, reality television and pop culture affected

youth’s morals, judgment and perspectives on themselves and the world?

 What are the right actions to take regarding the growth of modern technology trends and

its impacts on youths?

MODERN DAY TECHNOLOGY IMPACT ON YOUTHS 3

It is suitable to state that things are not the same as before. Across the globe, elders tell

the children we did not have this we did not do this, and we use to be moral among other things.

The current youths have been named as the millennial to be mean individuals of a century

characterized by changes. These are persons who have learned things as sexuality at an early age.

They are people who have developed self-esteem problems from what they see in TVs or what

they learn from their friends (Lunceford, 2015). Also¸ there are individuals willing to sit by their

computers or phones the whole day socializing on the social networks. Additionally, there is

increased partying and materialism due to what they see on social media such as the flashy lives

of the celebrities. Hence, it is true that technology is responsible for these changes, perspectives,

judgments and what they value in the modern life.

Having noted that technology is substantially changing the culture, the question is what is

to be done. There are varying views about technology and its integration with the people. Some

believe that technology requires being denounced and go to the old ways of doing things. Others

believe that some aspects of technology especially the social media needs more regulation

allowing only trending of what is important. Then there are those who argue that the society

needs to accept that technology is there and find the way to adapt. It would mean that the society

accepts the changes that have been brought forth by technology. The society requires connecting

with the community and finding the way to discourage immoral activities through increased

guidance and counseling of the youths. It would assist in appropriate decisions on their own and

to craft suitable choices in their life. It is the right way to handle technology. The first step would

be accepted that modern technology is changing the youths. Studies indicate that globally there

are more than 226 million Twitter followers globally. A survey conducted in 2011 revealed that

are approximately 800 million Facebook users globally. Then it stipulated that more than 1

MODERN DAY TECHNOLOGY IMPACT ON YOUTHS 4

trillion videos in YouTube accounted for the playbacks. Therefore, the option to turn off social

media and networks is a non-viable option.

Berger and Luckman (1996) discuss the social construction of reality as a crucial element

of social transformation. The two philosophers imply that the way people present themselves

significantly relate to the individuals they interact with. In line to this, modern technology is

responsible for the youth’s cultural elements and who they present themselves. It means that the

change in morals values and customs is due to the integration of youths globally. Even though

the adults are still part of the social media the difference between them and the youths is that the

youths have been brought up in society already being controlled by technology. It may not be the

case with their parents when they were young. It is true to state that a child as early as four years

know how to use a phone, they watch television among other things that expose to the thing

leading to being influenced by popular culture. The study on social construction explains that the

way people are raised and what they believe along the way affect who they are today. It is the

reality-defining the modern society.

According to Mead (1934) social exposure is the basis to which a person self and mind

self arises. The theorist has directed his study to communication as a significant contribution to

establishing social order. However, it is of the essence to note that it is not yet agreed that the

current perception. Behavior and beliefs among the youths are a social order. Based on Mead

argument the society should accept the changes as social order. Furthermore, the study connects

the individuals explains that communication sets and shapes different mind. Concerning this, the

adults could argue that the youths have altered from the right ways. The question is whether the

youths think the same. Do they believe that their behavior is immoral? Should the parents and

society blame the youths? Mead answers these questions by explaining that the youths have no

MODERN DAY TECHNOLOGY IMPACT ON YOUTHS 5

control on the social process. They are surrounded by communication that has shaped what they

think. The things that they learn from social media are largely practiced, or they believe that they

are largely practiced which makes them perceive the things as right.

In consideration of the morally accepted behavior, the youths have changed in various

ways. The morals and values of the youths have changed in a broad manner and the following

manner. It could be noted that reality TV has greatly influenced sex appeal and desire for

physical beauty. The impact to this is a change in the way of clothing which is evident between

the developed and the developing countries, in particular among the youths relation

(Hesmondhalgh & Toynbee, 2008). In that, teens in areas as Africa could easily adapt the

dressing code similar to that of youths from developed countries as United States. Also, these

shows challenge an individual satisfaction with their appearance. In line with this, there is the

increased attraction to plastic surgery. In some ways, the morality of plastic surgery could be

questioned. Particularly, studies in areas as Africa has revealed increased activities of people

bleaching their looks as they try to belong to the society dominated by popular culture. Based on

the cultural beliefs of a particular area and the accepted behavior people find these actions

inappropriate.

Then there is the mode of dressing. There is increased wearing of bikini, tight clothes and

other forms of dressing. Most of the people above 40 years find these dressing inappropriate and

not decent. According to most of the young person’s they interpret this as an ordinary mode of

dressing whereas it is highly sexualized dressing. One of the reality shows attributing to this is

“keeping up with the Kardashians”. It would be a suitable state that the show has contributed

significantly in changing millions of youths dressing code. In schools, streets and any other

social centers young people are competing with the forms of dressing. The majorities view this

MODERN DAY TECHNOLOGY IMPACT ON YOUTHS 6

acceptable; it is a constructed reality that most believe as right. It is a culture that they identify

with and tend to agree that life has brought them to that mode of living and way of life. The

youths identify with mediated culture. One thing that most youths are chasing is fame and in any

way possible due to the enormous influence from news media, Facebook, or movies to reach

millions of people.

The other side of social reality is that it is that which is socially accepted. It is not the

case with the popular culture. A significant number of people find it as jeopardy to the accepted

way of life. Millions of youths fancy the excessive partying and materialism evident among the

celebrities. However, a close inspection of this kind of life reveals it involves immoral behavior.

There are cases of drug abuse, use of abusive language and increased sexual activities. For

example, “Shahs of Sunset” is a program evident in reality TV and a definition of the pop

culture. The show features young adults living an extravagant life of alcohol parties and

traveling. A child as young as 12 years would watch this show. It will shape the child perception

of life lead to desires in living such a life. However, it is an expensive life, and most cannot

afford, but one can practice. If the desire grows one may end up engaging in illegal activities, for

example, become drug trafficker, robbers among others? In the case of girls if one great fancy

that form of life she will tend to look up to people who she believes would help her achieve such

life (Thomas, Selsjord & Prager, 2015).

Berger and Luckman (1996) argue that humans lack the biological way to reach the

capability of human behavior; hence, social direction and order are responsible for bringing

stability. It implies that modern-day technology in respect to the social media substantially

defines the way of life of the youths. Studies reveal that most millennial spends an average of

nine hours per day on social media. It is unfortunate that the way of life has made it hard for

MODERN DAY TECHNOLOGY IMPACT ON YOUTHS 7

parents to give adequate attention to their children. The parents are busy working to earn a living.

As a way of keeping kids, busy parents leave them to watch television and play with tablets and

phones. In this case, young adults have time and resources to explore the internet where they

access all sorts of information without parent’s attention (Allen, 2015). As a result of parent

alienation with the children the behavioral conducted is influenced and shaped more by what the

kids come across on the internet. It has been argued that modern technology is responsible for

bullying and aggression among the youths. While the children are spending most of their time on

the internet, they are exposed to the interpersonal drama which shapes their personality. For

example, gossip among girls is considerably spread in reality TV. Due to this, female children

tend to grow in a way that they find it a regular part of life for girls to compete so as to succeed

in life.

On the other hand, Mead argues that communication is critical to the development of

culture. It means what the popular culture means regarding actions, values and attitudes are

obtained by the youths from communication. However, most of the popular culture is what

society tends not to accept. Furthermore, the social theory identifies the importance and

influence of the social institutions. Regarding the youths, perspectives of the world and morals,

social media, pop culture and reality TV are their social systems. While parents, teachers and

various institutions agree that morals among the youths are questionable, they are yet to develop

an inappropriate solution. Mead (1934) argues that peer groups influences an individual

personality and behavior more than parents advice. It is the reason why while parents continue to

warn their children about drug abuse they still continue. The youths while socializing, they will

tend to recommend, drugs, pornography, dressing codes, parents defying advice among them.

Due to this, the parent’s guidance has less impact on the children.

MODERN DAY TECHNOLOGY IMPACT ON YOUTHS 8

As identified the social theory and social construction theory agree that social media, pop

culture, and reality TV have shaped the character traits of today’s youths. There are many

benefits that they have brought to the youths. It has facilitated the spread of knowledge but has

lowered the quality of reading since students spend alt of time on phones and tablets rather than

pay attention to the lectures. It has changed communication and socialization among the youths

enabling sharing of ideas. On the contrary, it has spread, drug abuse, improper dressing, online

dating, sexual behavior, encouraged crimes and development of unsuitable personality (In

Agarwal, In Lim & In Wigand, 2014). It has led to exposure to life elements among the youths

especially in the undeveloped countries especially Africa. However, society in areas as Asia,

Africa, and Arab countries still find the western culture is inappropriate and against the moral

codes of the society. However, the issue is the way the society should address the issues since

mainly they agree that morals have changed, and youth’s perspective of the world does not

conform to what majority agree. What the two theories implies is that it would be impossible to

move back or separate the youths from the modern technology aspects.

The perspective of perfection and cyber harassment relates to self-esteem issues among

the youths. There is an increase in the number of youths feeling uncomfortable with their

appearance and with who they are among their peers. Cyber bullying is rampant among the

youths whereby an individual may find it hard to integrate with the peers due to a particular

weakness. The morals of children who bully the others are questionable and in many cases, it

has led to devastating cases to the victims. There are millions of pictures found online, and

youths will tend to question how they look with some hating their appearance. Smooth way of

the way life is still a perception among the youths. Online, the reality of life tends to be

insufficient instead people will talk about money, sex, drugs and partying. There are no sufficient

MODERN DAY TECHNOLOGY IMPACT ON YOUTHS 9

information encouraging youths to work hard or the importance to earn legitimate money.

Instead, most are concentrating on how they should get rich fast and live the way pop culture

implies.

In conclusion, the implementation of writing was seen as a threat to the culture. Then

year’s later printing was considered to be a threat to the European morality, social order and

culture. However, these two were implemented, and modern society is largely their product.

Modern technology is a product of writing and printing. Hence, even though there were concerns

about the invention of the two elements the society could not fail to implement them, and thus

the society should focus on ways to mitigate the threat they face. Most important education on

moral ways increased parent attention, decent education among others should be promoted as a

way to deal with the emerging youth’s culture and shape it to meet the accepted behavior.

MODERN DAY TECHNOLOGY IMPACT ON YOUTHS 10

Reference

Allen, L. (January 01, 2015). The Influence of Information and Communication Technologies on

Societies and their Cultures.

Berger, P. L., & Luckmann, T. (1966). The social construction of reality: A treatise in the

sociology of knowledge. Garden City, N.Y: Doubleday.

Hesmondhalgh, D., & Toynbee, J. (2008). The media and social theory. London: Routledge.

In Agarwal, N., In Lim, M., & In Wigand, R. T. (2014). Online collective action: Dynamics of

the crowd in social media.

Lunceford, B. (January 01, 2015). The Ethics of Seeking Body Perfection, with Continual

Reference to Heidi Montag.

Mead, G. H., & In Morris, C. W. (1934). Mind, self & society from the standpoint of a social

behaviorist. Chicago, Ill: University of Chicago Press.

Thomas, M., Selsjord, M., & Prager, P. A. (January 01, 2015). Transposing, Transforming, and

Transcending Tradition in Creative Digital Media.

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