Binghamton Research Days Student Presentations
BulgerBrendan.pdf
We Love the Internet! Social Media in Modern Society
We Love the Internet! Social Media in Modern Society
Authors: Brendan Bulger
Authors: Brendan Bulger
Field of Study: Social Sciences
Field of Study: Social Sciences
Affiliation: Source Project
Affiliation: Source Project
Mentor: Michael J. Kelly, Judaic Studies and Comparative Literature
Mentor: Michael J. Kelly, Judaic Studies and Comparative Literature
Abstract
Abstract
Due to the profit motive that major social media sites operate on, social media companies generally tend to operate unethically and in a way that is harmful to their users’ privacy and mental health. Despite this, the vast majority of young adults actively use social media. In this study, I will observe some of the harmful effects of social media use, attempt to contextualize social media as an effective tool for social control as well as an example of the operation of capitalist ideology in modern society, and suggest possible solutions/improvements that can be made to negate some of the effects of the prevalence of social media.
Due to the profit motive that major social media sites operate on, social media companies generally tend to operate unethically and in a way that is harmful to their users’ privacy and mental health. Despite this, the vast majority of young adults actively use social media. In this study, I will observe some of the harmful effects of social media use, attempt to contextualize social media as an effective tool for social control as well as an example of the operation of capitalist ideology in modern society, and suggest possible solutions/improvements that can be made to negate some of the effects of the prevalence of social media.