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Allie Knuckles
UWRT 1103
Professor Campbell
8 November 2016Date
Pixelated Perfection: Whats Behind the Filter?
About?
How perfect do I look online? Does my hair fall the right way? Is the angle of that picture
one that makes me look skinny? Will that post get a lot of likes? If I didnt post about an event,
did I even go? Did I get the most likes possible on that picture you posted last Tuesday? These
questions are what teens ask themselves in regards to social media. My friends and peers would
attest to the fact that this mentality has taken over. Spending hours deciding a caption, making
alterations, and posting at prime times is what teens do to get the biggest popularity vote on
every post. Each time my friends post about something fun we did its a whole different world
For example, Friends of mine I have friends play the game so well that they have it down to a
science. They follow procedures like that only posting during prime time, 7pm- 8 pm, because
everyone is either finishing dinner or bored and checking their phones which means maximum
opportunity for likes. Also, the mind set to have the best life on social media has come to such an
extreme that my friends have created separate social media accounts called Finstas, or fake
Instagram accounts. Finstas are used to post about everyday encounters that are the more
human activities of my friends days, like doing poorly on a test, losing something, or just plain

Commented [AW1]: does this need a possession


apostrophe
Commented [MC2]: Finstas need a little more
explanation in terms of the differences between a real
Instagram account. Do people know the person behind
the Finsta? If not, what is the purpose of a Finsta? Just
to vent or write in an almost journal kind of way? Who
are their followers? Really close friends only? See my
confusion about the these accounts versus regular
Instagram accounts?
Commented [AW3]: Id put a comma after this

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bad luck. Finstas are separate accounts made on the Instagram account that show more average
day to day experiences in a shortened blog type post. This trend of having a Finsta is something
Ive discovered amongst my friends and peers where I live. Due to the fact that Finstas are more
personal and more revealing information they are only followed by close friends and I have
found most of them to be set as private. The posts are drastically different from my friends real
Instagram accounts and the Finsta posts seem to share information that connects friends versus
comparing them to others.
Upon reflection, I noticed that social media has truly changed my friends and dynamic of
the teenage population. Besides how teens make themselves seem perfect online, what else has
social media transformed in our minds? Well, with these initial inquiries started me thinking of
all the traumas teens go through and what great lengths users will go to for popularity on social
media. With these questions, I set out to find what effects social media has d on teen users? My
research explored manyventured perspectives and angles various lenses of the situation and

Commented [MC4]: What does this mean to venture


various lenses?

whether social media is a positive or negative outlet for teens.


My research began by gathering a wideopen scope of information, both the potentially
advantageous outcomes and disadvantageous outcomes of social media. The negativecons o

Commented [AW5]: What is an open scope?


Commented [AW6]: Maybe use negative effects

effects of too much use of social media on teens include lower test scores and GPAs, exposure of
personal information, access for sexual predators, personality disorders, poor social skills, and
depression. Meanwhile, according to a well-written expert in the social psychology field, Robin
Olsen summed up the some of the some positive effects which are easy access to informational
resources, outlets for communication with peers, facilitation of social movements, quicker ways

Commented [MC7]: Did you say you had his first


name? Better to write, according to FIRST Olsen, an
expert in INSERT WHAT HIS FIELD IS, some of the
positive effects are

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to receive news, and an open field for job opportunities and recruitment .recruitment. From this
starting point, my research dug deeper into the details of these effects. Most social
ppsychologists in the field focus on the detrimental effects that negatively impact teens;

Commented [AW8]: Psychologists

meanwhile, some sources focus on the full effects of social media and eliminate the biases. The

Commented [MC9]: I agree with Anne make clear


what it means to eliminate the biases. Maybe uses In
other words

psychologists that eliminate the biases dont only look at the down side to social media they look

Commented [AW10]: ??? what does this mean

at the beneficial aspects for users, making it easier to identify the true ways teen users are being
affected by social media. AAdditionally, through exploration of this topic I found that there is an
array of problems, terms, and diseases disorders teens have that are specific to the social media

Commented [MC11]: Diseases versus disorders? Im


guessing the latter

society. For example, teens can experience imposter syndrome, which exposes teens to the harsh
societal need to be perceived as perfect, and phantom vibration syndrome, where teens feel the
need to check their phones because they think they felt it vibrate when it didnt. These avenues
are what got the research journey ignited.
Social Protocol- in and out groups, liking pics,

Commented [AW12]: The spacing here goes wonky.

One of the first findings that came across in research was how social protocols are
affected by social media and teens psychological mindset. Shankar Vedantam, a well-written

Commented [MC13]: Use a first name every time you


introduce a source.

journalist who is NPRs social science correspondent, explored this area of effects that teens

Commented [MC14]: Why not just NPRs social


science correspondent

experience when exposed to social media. This podcast explained Aa study done by Lauren
Sherman, a UCLA doctoral student, showed that teens will alter their posts to be similar to the

Commented [MC15]: Got a full name?

post getting the most number of likes at the time. Lauren Sherman analyzed brain activity of

Commented [MC16]: Yep, you do. Switch where first


name appears

teens viewing and liking pictures that simulated an Instagram feed of their friends and their own

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posts. This study illustrated that our perception of what we admire in photos and thoughts is
manipulated by the forum of social media. Teens minds have come to accept that posting isnt
about always sharing with the world what you admire, but its about getting the most likes and
neglecting self-interests to do it. Another study done by Anna Kende and many other experts in

Commented [MC17]: Name issue fix from here on


out

the field of applied social psychology from Eotvos Lorand University and the University of
Groningen showed that the actions of users will be a strong reflection of what the in-group is
doing. The experts found this by doing a study which was used to see the correlation between
online and offline participation in a protest at a University in Budapest. The study was conducted
by creating an online survey to track participation during a six-week protest. The results revealed
that there is a connection between social affirmation and the use of social media through
conforming to the in-groups ideals and not the out-groups. In other words, as humans the
feeling of appreciation and acceptance correlates to individuals continuing in specific behaviors.
In-groups are smaller and more exclusive groups that share similar ideas and follow the same
pattern of behaviors, meanwhile out-groups are clusters of people who do not share those
interests or follow the status quo of behaviors. Meaning, in-groups have the popular belief while
the out-group is out casted by not sharing those popular ideals. This is applied in situations like if
Joey goes online and gets a lot of positive comments on his latest Instagram post he is going to
continue that pattern and conform to the popular opinion. This popular opinion is classified as
the in-group behavior and will encourage others to post like Joey so they too can receive the
gratifying positive comments. This behavior can result in a variety of effects, whether that be

Commented [MC18]: Better explanation. Is the bottom


line that in-groups are considered popular while outgroups are considered unpopular?

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rallying together teens to stand up for a cause or traumatizing a teen online for not posting a
picture that is up to par with the standard in-group ideals. As a result of these findingsResulting

Commented [MC19]: Replace this word sounds too


legal

from these findings, my research has established that social media has psychologically altered

Commented [AW20]: Might wanna reword

the priorities of users to receive certain responses and promoted conforming to the socially
accepted in-group. On the other hand, in the virtual world of the out casts the out- group

Commented [MC21]: It might make sense to use On


the other hand, and then give an example of how
an out-group operates online

functions in contrast to what the in- group believes as independent thinkers. Out- group users
will be less likely to use hashtags that are popular or make videos that conform to popular
challenges like the mannequin challenge.
Along with the findings on in-group and out-group behavior, the experts conducted
another study. The study tested the relationship between instrumentalinstrumental (providing
information about a socialtopic) social media use (giving information about a topic) and
interactivity on actions made. By using surveys giving information and controlling the access to
information, the second study tested instructiveness and instrumental uses of social media. In

Commented [AW22]: instructiveness sounds kinda


odd here

non-text book terms, the study tested how displaying and in taking certain information provided
changes and affects how social media is being used. This studys results help explain how social
media interaction is helping engage users in collective actions. Findings from the first study also
help show this by the actions taken for the protest, a collective action that occurred when users
organized together to participate in the protest. Overall, these conclusions help provide evidence
that users of social media can come together and participate in collective action. Collective
actions are behaviors that are purposely coordinated with others to achieve a goal or display an

Commented [MC23]: Almost there correlates is a


little stiff, plus arent you missing media following
social?

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agenda. The collective actions that are caused by social media bring a positive effect on teens

Commented [AW24]: You could just take this out and


the sentence would be ok

and make it easier for users to participate in social movements and bring social change.
Additionally, social media has made a huge impact on a community basis. In Charlotte Talks, a
show on NPR-affiliate WFAE,the Charlottes NPR news source the panelists Kimberly Melton,

Commented [AW25]: The Charlottes ??

Melissa Morris, Joey Hewell, and Josh Burford spoke about the transformations of the LGBT
community in Charlotte and how different forums of technology have impacted the community
and interpersonal relationship between citizens. The experts and community leaders of the
Charlotte LGBT community talked about how social media has made a huge impact by
connecting individuals with similar issues and has been an outlet for individuals to reach out and
get support from others who have been through similar challenging experienesthe tough times
already. The panelists describe situation before social media where individuals in isolated towns
who were apart of the LGBT community had little support or even guidance to deal with the
pressures and lifestyle of accepting their individuality. With social media as a great tool for
connection those individuals were able to closely relate to others with common experiences even
when they were close in proximity. This made the community close knit and able to welcome
others with open arms Social media in this case has a positive effect on users by sending
support, information, and awareness to large groups of people without difficulty.
Having extra support online can be great, but with extra support it leaves a door open for
extra hate. Suren Ramasubbu, a well-versed UCLA graduate on internet filters, safety, and other
services, wrote a news article on a wide variety of topics such as cyberbullying, sexting, and

Commented [MC26]: Similar challenging experiences


(?)

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Facebook depression. The main idea about cyberbullying from the article is that how it is
becoming easier to bully other users and less guilt-inflicting for the bully to emotionally hurt the
victim because of the ability to hide behind the walls of social media. This was similar to what

Commented [AW27]: I might reword this sentence to


make your point a bit more clear

was mentioned in the article about sexting and how social media creates an invincible feel to

Commented [MC28R27]: I agree with Anne this can


be more clear. Speak it, then write it.

users and makes users think that private information, such as sexual pictures, are totally safe or
will even possibly create popularity. As for other negative effects from social media on teens,
there is a huge population that suffers from Facebook depression. Ramasubbu mentions how
social media has shifted from connecting users to comparing users with other users along with
themselves. This depression from comparing users to each other aligns with users need to follow
the in-groups ideals (Ramasubbu). For example, my friends post the glamourous five second
peak captured in a picture that is perfectly angled. It neglects to show any dull parts of the trip,
like if parking was bad, or if they waited in line for hours just to get that one moment on the
Ferris wheel at the fair, or if their friends got in a huge fight right after they all happily smiled for
the picture. Not to mention with each post my friends change into expert editors, caption writers,
and data analysts to manipulate the situation and get the amount of likes they want. A term used
to describe this concept is imposter syndrome. Rachel Ehmke, highly qualified Senior Editor for
the institute, the Disability Services Coordinator at Rhode Island College, and a graduate from
the University of Chicago, wrote an article that touched on the key component of imposter
syndrome. As stated in the article, she quotes Dr. Wick, a credible expert in the field of
psychology, AdolescenceAdolescence and the early twenties in particular are the years in

Commented [AW29]: Quotation marks for daaaayzzz

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which you are acutely aware of the contrasts between who you appear to be and who you think
you are., says Dr WickDr. Wick also states, Its similar to the imposter syndrome in
psychology. As you get older and acquire more mastery, you begin to realize that you actually
are good at some things, and then you feel that gap hopefully narrow. But imagine having your
deepest darkest fear be that you arent as good as you look, and then imagine needing to look
that good all the time! Its exhausting (qtd. in Ehmke). Ehmkes Wicks point that society
pressures self-perception in teen users justifies points discussed in other studies, that social
media negatively aeffects what teens truly admire and what they genuinely believe (Ehmke).
Overall, the lens teens use to view themselves has been dramatically altered by the creation and
consequences of social media.
In conclusion, social media plays many roles in the lives of teen users, from connecting
them to friends far away, to the bully behind the screen, to the supportive community they lack at
home or even to the news from the world around them. Many psychologists find that there are
many more negative outcomes from social media on teenage minds than positive ones. The
culture of the younger uprising generations are transformed into a revolutionary social media
morphed state of mind; a mindset that with the click of a button all the information needed will
be there, or the person you need to talk to can talk in an instant. Summed up by Dr. Dumontheil,
an expert in Psychological Sciences and the Director of MSc/MA Educational Neuroscience at
Birbeck University, So are these new skills a good or a bad thing? Neither, she says. It's just a
way we have of adapting to our environment. (qtd. in East). Whether the benefits outweigh the

Commented [AW30]: uprising is not generally used


like this

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consequences or vice versa, social media has changed this generation of teens. The measurement
of this is different based off perspective and the level of interactivity of the teen user on social
media. A less active user may not be as exposed to cyberbullying harm, but will they also miss
the chance to develop a relationship with a support system that can cause a world of good. Does

Commented [AW31]: Awesome paper dude! I love the


topic!

this mean that social media should be taken in small doses and restricted time limits so the
effects dont become negative? Or will regulating social media prevent the positive effects from
prevailing and minimize the chance for social change? The future of the research is going down a
path of solutions and finding preventative outlets to lower the negative possibilities associated
with frequent social media use. At this point in the social media effects findings many
psychologists have identified the problems and changes socially, but havent come to a
conclusion on reducing risks of harmful results such as depression and anxiety. Currently, the
solutions being presented are less screen time before going to bed and cutting back and on
constantly needing to look phones for verification of friends, social life, and popularity. As a
student who has attended many lectures about reducing stress, many of the professionals have
commented on reducing screen time and taking time each day to unplug from the virtual reality.
That is for the information to structure and the reader to interpret

Commented [AW32]: information to structure


confuses me What do you mean?
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Looking over this information and effects on teens from frequent social media use has
opened more avenues to be examined such as solutions and what we can do to make whats
behind the screen the glorifying truth on screen too.

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Works Cited
https://turbofuture.com/internet/The-Dangers-of-Social-Networking-Why-you-need-to-becareful
"Charlotte's LGBT Community." WFAE. N.p., 27 June 2016. Web. 09 Nov. 2016.

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East, Susan. "How Does Social Media Affect Your Brain." CNN. Cable News Network, 1 Aug.

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2016. Web. 09 Nov. 2016.

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Ehmke, Rachel. How Using Social Media Affects Teenagers. Child Mind Institute. Child
Mind Institute, Web. 19 Oct. 2016.
Kende, Anna., Matjin van Zomeren, Adrienn Ujhelyi ,and Nra A Lantos,. The social
affirmation use of social media as a motivator of collective action. Journal of Applied
Psychology, 8 Feb. 2016. vol. 46, no. 8, pp. 453469. doi:10.1111/jasp.12375. 19 Oct.
2016.

Olsen, Robin. "The Dangers of Social Networking." TurboFuture. N.p., 19 Apr. 2016. Web. 09
Nov. 2016.

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Ramasubbu, Suren. Influence of Social Media on Teenagers. The Huffington Post.
TheHuffingtonPost.com, 26 May 2016. Web. 19 Oct. 2016.
Vedantam, Shankar. Researchers Study Effects Of Social Media On Young Minds. NPR.
NPR, 9 Aug. 2016. Web. 19 Oct. 2016.

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