Bridger Foote

Stephanie Maenhardt
ENGL 1010
4/13/19
Viewpoint Synthesis
What is the biggest issue concerning the use of technology in society?

The 21st century has been an age of technological advancement thus far. With each year

that passes, more products are released to consumers, providing luxury items of the highest

caliber. Our public accessibility to communication and information is unlike anything history has

seen before. But does this come at a cost? From cellphones to computer screens, to social media,

and streaming services. Society has seen a shift in the dynamic of communication. Some see this

in a positive light; that we’ve been granted the ability to share data, obtain resources, and stay

connected. Where on the other hand, some experts have noted that these online tools are waging

a war against typical social interaction.

As I have done my research, and looked into the various views on the issue, I have

realized that there is much to consider. Some view technology as a distraction of the mind, and

that it is associated with harsh circumstances, such as online bullying, addiction, self-worth, and

mental health. Other perspectives look more towards shared information, easy access to

resources, and how in the wrong hands, these tools can be used inappropriately, and have

devastating consequences.

During my research, I found that some perspectives were highly focused on interaction

between the mind, and a given device. For instance, a paper done by Susan Henneberg goes into

detail about fatal car crash that occurred, and how two men died in the devastating events. The

cause of this crash was due to texting and driving. From here, Henneberg jumps into the scientific
aspects of how neuroscientist, Adam Gazzaley, has researched the effects of attention span, and

its correlation with texting. To gather this data, Gazzaley, a professor of Neurology, Physiology,

and Psychiatry at the University of California, decided to put teenagers in texting and driving

simulations. Using MRI and positron-emission tomography scans, he would send their phones text

messages, and see how their brains reacted. Gazzaley concluded by stating, “Their eyes are open

but the brain’s not processing all the information” Which ultimately shows the distraction that

comes from using these devices (Henneberg, 2017). Looking towards statistics in the United

States, the National Safety Council has shown that reports of texting and driving related crashes

estimate at about 1.6 million per year, and out of these crashes a total of 390,000 injuries occur.

(Henneberg, 2017). Henneberg’s overall viewpoint is that technology is not necessary a malicious

aspect our newfound, digital world. However, technology does have drawbacks, and awareness is

key. With guided awareness can come the responsible actions needed, to maintain a healthy

lifestyle, while participating in our continued usage.

Looking into a second viewpoint, an article by author Brooke Lusk, goes into the

detrimental effects of how social media has become a mainstream form of gathering and spreading

misinformation. Her specific topic is regarding online chatrooms and the discussion of sensitive

topics. While noting that there are positive aspects, such as the support that can be found for

members of the LGBTQ, members of various religions, and even those who suffer from mental

disorders. Online chatrooms can be a great environment for teens who need support, or someone

to talk too.

However, those exact reasons are also ways in which young teens can be led astray.

According to the Pew Internet Study, 31% of teenagers go online to learn about health information

(Lusk, 2010). This leads teens to the discovery of sexual health, mental health, drug use, and many
other delicate topics. In the instance of gathering health information, adolescents can be getting

their information from those who are not professionals and are not properly trained or educated on

specific subjects. There are sites dedicated to misleading youth to act out on certain behaviors;

coaching them on suicide, as well as eating disorders. A survey conducted by Lucile Packard

Children’s Hospital asked teenagers with eating disorders, if they had ever visited these pro-

anorexia or pro-bulimia sites. The results showed that 36% of the teens had visited these sites, and

that 98% of those who used these sites, learned new techniques for their eating disorder (Lusk,

2010). This ultimately shows that there are two sides to the same coin. Yes, you may very well

find help with personal problems online, but you could very easily be targeted, misled, and or

misinformed about series issues.

Lusk also brings up the fact that she is well aware that this is a problem that will not be

stopped overnight, “With over 63% of youth accessing the web daily, it is no easy task to

constantly monitor their behaviors online” An integral part of the process will be the education

system. It’s important that parents and teachers alike are involved and committed to showing youth

the benefits and disadvantages that come from using the internet as a source of knowledge. You

never know where this information is coming from, and it’s important to check the validity of your

sources.

Another perspective to consider would be the lack of privacy we are experiencing each day

we use social media, and online banking. In an article written by Carrie Kerpen, she goes into

detail about how social media influencers have began creating a brand for themselves by allowing

strangers to access their online lives. While interviewing for her podcast “All the Social Ladies”

she has had the unique opportunity to ask questions to high profile social media users, with the

intent on asking questions about their social media “status” and how it’s affected their lives. She
learned that each person she interviewed had a different experience. Some loved the fame and

found it a boost to their self-confidence. Whilst other’s, still appreciated their loyal fan bases, but

had experiences where fans would get out of hand and intrude in their personal lives, leading to

stalking, and obsession with individuals’ in which they had never met (Kerpen, 2016).

On the other end of privacy, you also have personal information, that can be stolen, or

hacked. An article written by Stephen Currie discusses the invasion of privacy amongst internet

use, and how cyberthieves troll for personal information such as credit card info, social security

numbers, drivers’ licenses, and more. He brings up an event that happened to a corporation called

Heartland Payment Systems, which was hacked, and contained hundreds of thousands of credit

card numbers, and other financial data. The company had no idea they were hacked until roughly

6 months after it had happened, and approximately 130 million pieces of data was accessed by

these hackers; making it the largest theft of private information in our history (Currie, 2012). The

two separate types of privacy scares contrast each other in the terms of safety. The first example

shows that through social media we are, in essence, able to get to know people through what they

post, without any physical interaction. The other shows that our financial safety, could be breached

at any given time. It’s a terrifying thought, but a common occurrence.

Personally, each of these topics concerned me, but my overall stand leans more toward the

issue brought up by Brooke Lusk. In my case, being a millennial raised in a world of social media,

I found that I related to her opinions more than my other sources. The ideals of communication,

and how we gather our information has changed drastically in the last decade alone. In my opinion

her approach is more so about molding young minds to do research and consider the information

they are given. In a society where we believe everything we read; we have lost touch with reality.

Facts become useless, when a majority holds firm beliefs towards an issue. It’s something seen in
politics and the “fake news” that is spread around the internet. Ultimately, each of the perspectives

have a plenty in common, and play a role in the security, and the wellbeing of individuals. It’s

important that we, as a society, can push forward to educate, and protect ourselves from the dangers

that can come from the misuse of such an important tool.

Sources:
Henneberg, Susan. “Issues In Society: Are Mobile Devices Harmful?” ReferncePoint Press, 1 Jan
2017. Sks.sirs.com.libprox1.slcc.edu:2048/webapp/article?artno=0000394570&type=ART.
Kerpen, Carrie. “How Has Social Media Changed Us? Forbes, 21 April 2016.
www.forbes.com/sites/carriekerpen/2016/04/21/how-has-social-media-changed-
us/#23da03e25dfc.
Davis, Asha “Parents May Fret, but Teens and Even Experts Say Social Media Use Has Its
Benefits.” USA Today, March 23, 2018.
Sks.sirs.com.libprox1.edu:2048/webapp/article?artno=0000404788&type=ART.
Lusk, Brooke. “Digital Natives and Social Media Behaviors: An Overview.” Integrated Research
Services, Dec 2010. Sks.sirs.comlibprox1.edu:2048/webapp/article?artno=0000319159&type
Currie, Stephen. “Issues in the Digital Age: Online Privacy” ReferencePoint Press, 2012
sks.sirs.comlibprox1.slcc.edu:2048/webapp/article?artno=0000393944&type=ART