Sergio A.

Gomez Rodriguez 9/28/20

12-C

The Social Dilemma

Social groups have found different ways to socialize with one another across long distances.
Today, with the increasing influence of social media platforms people have found a way to
communicate with one another. Yet, social media has also had a lot of negative effects in our
society in recent years; your assignment will be to explore the effects that social media is having
in our society.
Assignment:
After watching the documentary “The Social Dilemma” that is available on Netflix, answer the
following questions according to the individual instructions that are given per question.
Value: 50pts.
Due date: Monday, September 28, 2020

1. Which generation is most marked by the use of social media platforms? What effect has
that had in that population? Explain your answer in one 5 sentence paragraph (5pts.).

The most marked generation by social media is Gen Z. Gen Z is the newest generation to
be named and were born between 1996 and 2015. The effect that social media has
throughout this population can’t be answered with a positive effect or a negative effect
because there’s a lot that goes into it. For example, you could say it’s good because of the
way people can now interact and find new friends but you’re leaving out that this same
“socialization” can have a negative impact which can be seen on the movie (when the girl
doesn’t get many likes with her natural photo and photoshops it to make her look “better”
which proceeds to get her more likes and also a hate comment). This type of action
happens daily and also takes a huge part on the outburst in late teen suicides.

2. How does the movie portray how information is stored and sent to people? Explain your
answer in one 4 sentence paragraph (5pts.).

The movie portrays that were like a puppet and they can make us or try to change our
next move by sending a notification. They keep a record of us with the things we like to
do, the people we like to talk to and even the places where we repeatedly go, this is called
an algorithm. After they get our attention, their goal is to keep us on the screen as much
as possible, then they proceed to sell our attention. They sell our attention in an auction to
see who bids higher for their ad to pop up and possibly leave an impression on us.
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3. What effect is social media having regarding political discourse and social issues around
the world? Explain your answer in two 4-5 sentence paragraphs (10pts.)

It is a century of global communication, a century of great migration of individuals, a

great friendship with individuals from all countries of the society, a society in which
businesses, non-governmental organizations, universities are engaged with those from
other nations. In social media you can use a fake name which means you can give an
honest opinion without getting backlash. In social media there’s something called fake
news which can destroy or help a cause, a movement or even a person. The problem with
fake news regarding politics, social interests, like climate change or even Covid 19, is
that in social media “trolls” are everywhere and they create these things to confuse.
Sadly, a lot of people read this without checking if its real and continue to spread this
false information which can lead to fatal consequences. Trump said that he won the 2016
elections thanks to social media this means that social media can help with the outcome
of any politic activity.

Some of the social issues that affect adolescents is self-esteem because many platforms
have beauty standards like weight, height, and other features. To this situation we can add
celebrity reality shows which fulfill those standards and other apps that provide beauty
filters to make you look “perfect”. Unfortunately, the number of teens diagnosticated
with severe depression is rising same as suicide rates are elevating at an alarming rate.
There’s a new condition called ‘Snapchat dysmorphia’ which has patients seeking
out cosmetic surgery to look like filtered versions of themselves instead, with fuller lips,
bigger eyes, or a thinner nose.

4. What do the people being interviewed recommend should be done to big tech companies?
What do they recommend individuals should do about social media? Explain your answer
in two 5 sentence paragraphs (10pts.)

The people being interviewed recommend that big tech companies should focus on
regulations and better their ai tools. We need to fact check everything before spreading
any information. The government should add laws for our safety and digital privacy. Data
collecting and assets should be taxed. They should care more for our goals, lives, and
values.

They recommend individuals to turn off notifications. Another recommendation is to

delete any time-wasting app. At a certain time put the devices outside the bedroom and
turn off every device preferably half an hour to an hour before going to sleep. If you want
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your kids to be “safe” let them have social media at around 15-16 years old. You should
have a limit on screen time every day.

5. Were you surprised by what the documentary presented? Do you agree with what was
said? Explain your answer in 4 paragraphs of 4-5 sentences each (20pts.)

“The Social Dilemma” is an extraordinary film, it combines a short movie with a

documentary talking about the impact social media has on humans. It covers many
aspects of social media and shows the effects that it has on every topic ranging from
politics to love. Social media is any digital tool that allows users to quickly create and
share content with the public. This big tech companies run the world and we need to
make a stop, not just for our safety but for a better future. I think that Netflix contradicted
itself by putting a movie on a paid streaming platform; also, when I finished the film
there were other recommended movies which further exemplifies targeted marketing
which then turns out to be more screen time.

I completely agree with this film. I agree because it’s true that social media is destroying
our lives, but I also think that it’s helping us with other things. For example, the way that
you can call a cab in less than a minute is remarkable. You can order food and get it
delivered to you. It also serves as another way to communicate and see the world. Thanks
to social media families have been reunited, moments have been shared and memories are
being made. But there’s always another side of the coin that can be either good or bad,
sadly in this case its bad.

It is slowly making us more dependable. There’s always bad people with bad intentions
which can hurt really bad. It can be seen on the movie when that awful lady left a hate
comment which made Isla feel uncomfortable and insecure about herself or when she
amped up her beauty in order to receive more likes. In social media you can’t always
believe what you see, but some people do and that causes fake news which can have
really bad consequences. In the movie social media is also described as drug which is true
because you can be addicted to it.

Honestly, I wasn’t that surprised by the documentary. I was surprised by the way the try
to keep us on the screen and how much information they have on us. This is the first
documentary that I enjoyed and felt that it showed me something. I love social media but
it’s a das reality what it has become. Hopefully someday we can trust what’s said in
social media.
Sergio A. Gomez Rodriguez 9/28/20
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