Social Media and Digital Tools: A Force for Good

As social media and other digital tools are more and more prevalent in society, the debate over whether or not these tools are having a positive impact has flourished. Some argue these digital tools are destroying our society and dividing people. However, we claim that these digital tools are actually helping society by facilitating connection and collaboration in new and more effective ways.

Social Media Is Creating Real Friendships: A Case Study In Quidditch

Qudditch: Organized on Social Media played in real life

Introductions 

My name is Jackson Berg and I'm a beater for the Provo Nightfuries Quidditch team. No you are not dreaming I actually said Quidditch. Yeah like from Harry Potter. I love Quidditch because there is good in everything. This includes things such as social media Many people say social media is ruining relationships.  I believe social media and other digital tools aren't ruining interpersonal relationships; they're actually facilitating the creation of new interpersonal relationships and strengthening existing ones. 

Collaborating to Save Lives

Online tools can be used to connect and collaborate online to save lives. Will you join the movement?

New Media and Technology Saves Lives: The Art of Online Collaboration

Over the last few years, the argument that social media and technology is ruining people's lives and relationships has been ever present. You hear of people doing "social media fasts," and the older generation saying that young people do not know how to connect in the real world. Amanda states that, "We see people all around looking down at their phones, not bothering to look up and notice the people around them. You never know if there is a person you need to meet, or someone you need to smile at. Digital media hinders this." This is a provocative statement, but truth of the matter is that social media and technology SAVES LIVES.

Connecting and Collaborating: Technology is Having a Positive Impact on Society

 As social media and other digital tools are more and more prevalent in society, the debate over whether or not these tools are having a positive impact has flourished. Some argue that these digital tools are destroying our society and dividing people. However, we claim that these digital tools are actually helping society by facilitating connection and collaboration in new and more effective ways.

Connecting and Collaborating

In the words of the writer and researcher Brene Brown, "We are psychologically, emotionally, cognitively, and spiritually hardwired for connection, love, and belonging. Connection... is why we are here, and it is what gives purpose and meaning to our lives." Today, advancements in digital technologies have allowed people to connect and collaborate in new and meaningful ways. Our group aims to show how connection and collaboration have advanced in the digital age as well as address some important issues that have been raised with these new forms of human connection. We will do this through a series of four individual blog posts:

You Care? Prove It!

With all the technology and unsupported digital conversation, how do people know that you actually care about anything?

Dialectical Thinking - Modern Literacy

A Bit About Me!

First I want to relate why the concept of dialectical thinking is personally relevant to me. As both a Mormon and a Feminist, I tend to get into a lot of deep discussions on a wide variety of issues. The people I am discussing with usually have some very incorrect notions about what I believe, which manifest quickly. Now I don't see this as a problem, but an opportunity for us to get to understand each other better! However, all too often I find that as I try to respectfully explore and clear up misconceptions that we both might have, my peer is rarely interested in hearing it; rather, they stick to their beliefs like a sailor to the last remnants of a sinking ship, and seem interested only in proving themselves correct.

Image from here.

Sound familiar at all to you? My guess is that it does...