From my SW2105 written assignment. It was a reflection of an interview conducted with a teenager. Excerpt of the paper.
The interview was held at interviewee’s home, in a quiet and casual environment within her living room settings. It took place at about 10 on a Friday evening, when interviewee just got home from her dance practice and had already settled down comfortably. I explained the objectives of my assignment prior to the start of the interview session and she agreed to help me with it.
Due to the open-ended nature of this assignment, it was difficult to narrow down the scope of the conversation. However, upon starting the interview, the interviewee talked about her dance practice and it seemed like a good topic to focus on since it is a major part of her life right now. Hence, we talked about her dance commitments and the pressure she feels regarding time management and compromises she has to make on her family time, socializing and other aspects of her life. The interview was also interspersed with many small, casual talks, involving topics about food, school and family outings.
Social work practice emphasizes on the relational dimension in which building a grounded and trusted relationship is essential in the problem-solving process. Threvithick (2003) emphasizes the importance of a relationship-based approach in the context of client-centeredness and psychosocial practice. The helper-client relationship is a dynamic interaction of emotions, thoughts, attitudes and beliefs, which are based on mutual trust and understanding from both parties.
There are many fundamentals that social workers have to master in order to build a healthy and successful therapeutic relationship with the client. Okun (2014) highlights that these characteristics - self-awareness, honesty, congruence, ability to communicate, knowledge, ethical integrity as well as gender and cultural awareness - helps to facilitate an effective working relationship with the client.
This reflection paper aims to address several of these characteristics, in relation to the interview I conducted with my client.
Self-awareness is the central theme and the core element that embodies any human relationship, which also includes the helper-client relationship. The self is an important tool that the social worker needs to be skillful at using to develop and maintain trust of the client as well as to keep the momentum of the process. Hence, it is crucial that the worker is aware of his or her grounds, which encompasses the belief systems, values as well as personal needs and wants throughout this process. The worker brings the self to the professional practice and it significantly impacts how the client feels, think and behave.
While conducting this interview session, I realize I am able to engage the client well by searching for common grounds for us the relate to each other. It helps to build a worker stance in which I utilized the mimicking technique to imitate her use of language and seating posture. Such synchrony and similarity in mannerisms will allow the client to feel at ease. Additionally, I used small talk and self-disclosure appropriately to bridge the differences together. In this case, our differences in cultural background was not a barrier to our communication as we had a common topic to discuss i.e. dance commitments and its challenges.
Wednesday, 13 May 2015
Monday, 20 April 2015
Essay Draft #4
The use of social media has surged, raising concerns about the detrimental effects of over-dependence. Such a habit may interfere with people's lifestyle if they get overly-compelled to engage in social media updates at every moment. The term "social network addiction" has been informally coined to describe a person who spends too much time on Facebook, Twitter and other social networking platforms to the extent that it interferes with his or her daily life (Kuss & Griffiths, 2011). Even though the social network addiction is not an official medical term, it is a real issue that the Ministry of Education (MOE) needs to address, specifically to the iGeneration.
Konnikova (2014) states that The American Journal of Psychiatry strongly suggests adding "Internet Addiction" in the next DSM. Such compulsion to be involved in social media network almost constantly to the extent that is causes distress demonstrates signs of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Meikle (2012) states that urges to twitter are actually stronger and harder to resist as compared to cravings for alcohol and cigarettes. While the term is still vaguely defined, a social network addict would be someone who has a compulsion to excessively check status updates, new photo uploads and view profiles at every second.
Rosen (2014) conducted a survey to members across four generations to analyze the use of social media and what factors would predict who would use more or less technology. Results showed that the younger generation, also known as the iGeneration, those born between 1990 to 1999, are the most avid users of the internet. This sub-population grew up with the internet technology and is probably the most likely folks to be affected by the "social network addiction" syndrome.
As such, rehabilitation is needed for such an addiction. Increasing the awareness of the public of the term "social network addiction" would be a huge first step in addressing the issue. One would need to be aware of the symptoms so if he or she identifies the problem, measures can be taken to tackle the addiction. The Media Development Authority of Singapore (MDA) should release short video clips that are engaging and informative on social network platforms such as Facebook and Youtube to educate these young children and teenagers about the symptoms of social network addiction. In the campaign, it should include visible signs that can be easily identified and helplines should be displayed so they are aware of who to contact if they are in need of help. This awareness campaign aims to educate the children and youths about "Social Network Addiction" and how to prevent it.
In addition, the Ministry of Education (MOE) could implement a program to increase the awareness of the negative consequences of internet addiction. Teachers have close contact with these young children and teenagers from the iGeneration and thus, they would be the best candidates in relaying the message to them. This could be incorporated into their "Health Education" curriculum, where the teachers could bring up the "social network addiction" issue. Such a session should be conducted in a smaller, intimate setting as it would encourage self-disclosure and open discussion about any possible fears, worries or concerns about the over-usage or addiction to social media. While this could be an exposure to them, it could also bolster critical reflection in which they think about the purpose of engaging in social media and how it influences their life.
Currently, the MOE has encouraged schools to teach about internet safety and security, especially on how to prevent oneself from falling prey into online scams. They are also safeguarding certain materials such as pornographic websites from under-aged children. However, the internet is vast and it is impossible to keep track of every single user's actions. Similarly, if we were to implement the awareness campaign about internet addiction and the possible symptoms, the message could be relayed effectively. However, this effectiveness may not translate into objective outcomes. They may still be over-reliant on internet technology and may get hooked into it so much that it disrupts their daily lifestyle. This is a flaw that would need to be explored further.
To sum up, "social network addiction" may not be a term that exists in official documents, as of now, but it has been a growing concern ever since the Internet revolution. Studies have shown the detrimental effects on an individual's psychological, emotional and social being and while we may not have sunk into the psychiatric disorder, it would be safe to take precautionary measures to prevent such a situation. As such, the MDA and MOE play a critical role in raising awareness and educate these citizens, especially the iGeneration, on how to use social media moderately, only to reap the best benefits.
References
Konnikova, M. (2014). Is internet addiction a real thing?. The New Yorker. Retrieved from: http://www.newyorker.com/science/maria-konnikova/internet-addiction-real-thing
Kuss, D. J., & Griffiths, M, D. (2011). Online social networking and addiction - a review of the psychological literature. International journal of environmental research and public health, 8(9), 3528-3552.
Meikle, J. (2012). Twitter is harder to resist than cigarettes and alcohol, study finds. The Guardian. Retrieved from: http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2012/feb/03/twitter-resist-cigarettes-alcohol-study
Rosen, L. (2014). Our Social Media Obsession. Psychology Today. Retrieved from: https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/rewired-the-psychology-technology/201407/our-social-media-obsession
Konnikova (2014) states that The American Journal of Psychiatry strongly suggests adding "Internet Addiction" in the next DSM. Such compulsion to be involved in social media network almost constantly to the extent that is causes distress demonstrates signs of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Meikle (2012) states that urges to twitter are actually stronger and harder to resist as compared to cravings for alcohol and cigarettes. While the term is still vaguely defined, a social network addict would be someone who has a compulsion to excessively check status updates, new photo uploads and view profiles at every second.
Rosen (2014) conducted a survey to members across four generations to analyze the use of social media and what factors would predict who would use more or less technology. Results showed that the younger generation, also known as the iGeneration, those born between 1990 to 1999, are the most avid users of the internet. This sub-population grew up with the internet technology and is probably the most likely folks to be affected by the "social network addiction" syndrome.
As such, rehabilitation is needed for such an addiction. Increasing the awareness of the public of the term "social network addiction" would be a huge first step in addressing the issue. One would need to be aware of the symptoms so if he or she identifies the problem, measures can be taken to tackle the addiction. The Media Development Authority of Singapore (MDA) should release short video clips that are engaging and informative on social network platforms such as Facebook and Youtube to educate these young children and teenagers about the symptoms of social network addiction. In the campaign, it should include visible signs that can be easily identified and helplines should be displayed so they are aware of who to contact if they are in need of help. This awareness campaign aims to educate the children and youths about "Social Network Addiction" and how to prevent it.
In addition, the Ministry of Education (MOE) could implement a program to increase the awareness of the negative consequences of internet addiction. Teachers have close contact with these young children and teenagers from the iGeneration and thus, they would be the best candidates in relaying the message to them. This could be incorporated into their "Health Education" curriculum, where the teachers could bring up the "social network addiction" issue. Such a session should be conducted in a smaller, intimate setting as it would encourage self-disclosure and open discussion about any possible fears, worries or concerns about the over-usage or addiction to social media. While this could be an exposure to them, it could also bolster critical reflection in which they think about the purpose of engaging in social media and how it influences their life.
Currently, the MOE has encouraged schools to teach about internet safety and security, especially on how to prevent oneself from falling prey into online scams. They are also safeguarding certain materials such as pornographic websites from under-aged children. However, the internet is vast and it is impossible to keep track of every single user's actions. Similarly, if we were to implement the awareness campaign about internet addiction and the possible symptoms, the message could be relayed effectively. However, this effectiveness may not translate into objective outcomes. They may still be over-reliant on internet technology and may get hooked into it so much that it disrupts their daily lifestyle. This is a flaw that would need to be explored further.
To sum up, "social network addiction" may not be a term that exists in official documents, as of now, but it has been a growing concern ever since the Internet revolution. Studies have shown the detrimental effects on an individual's psychological, emotional and social being and while we may not have sunk into the psychiatric disorder, it would be safe to take precautionary measures to prevent such a situation. As such, the MDA and MOE play a critical role in raising awareness and educate these citizens, especially the iGeneration, on how to use social media moderately, only to reap the best benefits.
References
Konnikova, M. (2014). Is internet addiction a real thing?. The New Yorker. Retrieved from: http://www.newyorker.com/science/maria-konnikova/internet-addiction-real-thing
Kuss, D. J., & Griffiths, M, D. (2011). Online social networking and addiction - a review of the psychological literature. International journal of environmental research and public health, 8(9), 3528-3552.
Meikle, J. (2012). Twitter is harder to resist than cigarettes and alcohol, study finds. The Guardian. Retrieved from: http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2012/feb/03/twitter-resist-cigarettes-alcohol-study
Rosen, L. (2014). Our Social Media Obsession. Psychology Today. Retrieved from: https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/rewired-the-psychology-technology/201407/our-social-media-obsession
Wednesday, 15 April 2015
Critical Reflection: The Role of Peer and Tutor Feedback
The Role of Peer and Tutor Feedback
In this ES1102 course, we had many writing practices. Throughout the course, we explored the different grammar rules, essay styles and presentation skills. I enjoyed these 13 weeks with Brad and my peers in class A03. Though we spent a lot of time drafting and refining our works, it was definitely well-spent and I believed this has helped me firm up my writing skills such as coherence and content organization.
We started off the semester by writing a self-reflection paper where we were required to think about our experience so far with English language. That particular reflection essay made me realize my weaknesses in the subject and why I did not like it. However, ES1102 lessons have made me realized the strengths I have and my peers have helped me further enhance my strong points. They also pointed out my mistakes in essay writing and suggested ways to improve on them.
Also, Brad made us work with different classmates almost every session. This has allowed me to adapt to different working styles as well as learn something new from each and every classmate. It helps us to view different perspectives. I find this an enriching and refreshing experience as it makes learning more dynamic and we are required to keep an open mind, embracing the different views and opinions. These pair works usually involve analyzing others' works. We were required to critically reflect on our classmates' essays, giving feedback on their APA citation, thesis statement, topic sentence, coherence and even their summary writing skills.
Our term assignment was to write a problem-solution essay. It was an open topic on social media. It was difficult to narrow down on a specific topic we want to focus on. I chose "social network addiction" eventually. We spent a few weeks writing the essay and we had one-on-one consultations with Brad to guide us along the process. Following which, we had to present our idea and the last few lessons were spent on our presentation. We learnt how to talk in front of an audience and received constructive feedback on our presentation. This exercise taught us how to clearly present our ideas with clear articulation and a loud voice. We learnt how to engage our audience by maintaining eye contact, using signal words and interactive exercises as well as having a firm, confident stance. It was nerve-wrecking even though most of us have done presentations in our school life.
After attending ES1102 classes, I will hopefully perform better for essay assignments. I will apply these skills in future academic writing. Drafting and evaluating works multiple times to check for errors such as subject-verb agreement and tenses are important. I will definitely spend more time reviewing my essays after writing them. In addition, peer reviews have tremendously helped me with my essay writing. Thus, I will ask my friends to help me read through my essays and give feedback on them before submissions. This is a really valuable experience and I am thankful to be part of this learning journey with A03.
In this ES1102 course, we had many writing practices. Throughout the course, we explored the different grammar rules, essay styles and presentation skills. I enjoyed these 13 weeks with Brad and my peers in class A03. Though we spent a lot of time drafting and refining our works, it was definitely well-spent and I believed this has helped me firm up my writing skills such as coherence and content organization.
We started off the semester by writing a self-reflection paper where we were required to think about our experience so far with English language. That particular reflection essay made me realize my weaknesses in the subject and why I did not like it. However, ES1102 lessons have made me realized the strengths I have and my peers have helped me further enhance my strong points. They also pointed out my mistakes in essay writing and suggested ways to improve on them.
Also, Brad made us work with different classmates almost every session. This has allowed me to adapt to different working styles as well as learn something new from each and every classmate. It helps us to view different perspectives. I find this an enriching and refreshing experience as it makes learning more dynamic and we are required to keep an open mind, embracing the different views and opinions. These pair works usually involve analyzing others' works. We were required to critically reflect on our classmates' essays, giving feedback on their APA citation, thesis statement, topic sentence, coherence and even their summary writing skills.
Our term assignment was to write a problem-solution essay. It was an open topic on social media. It was difficult to narrow down on a specific topic we want to focus on. I chose "social network addiction" eventually. We spent a few weeks writing the essay and we had one-on-one consultations with Brad to guide us along the process. Following which, we had to present our idea and the last few lessons were spent on our presentation. We learnt how to talk in front of an audience and received constructive feedback on our presentation. This exercise taught us how to clearly present our ideas with clear articulation and a loud voice. We learnt how to engage our audience by maintaining eye contact, using signal words and interactive exercises as well as having a firm, confident stance. It was nerve-wrecking even though most of us have done presentations in our school life.
After attending ES1102 classes, I will hopefully perform better for essay assignments. I will apply these skills in future academic writing. Drafting and evaluating works multiple times to check for errors such as subject-verb agreement and tenses are important. I will definitely spend more time reviewing my essays after writing them. In addition, peer reviews have tremendously helped me with my essay writing. Thus, I will ask my friends to help me read through my essays and give feedback on them before submissions. This is a really valuable experience and I am thankful to be part of this learning journey with A03.
Monday, 13 April 2015
Reflection on presentation
The thought of presentations make me very nervous. I get frightened at the thought of presenting in front of an audience, even after many experiences with it in school. I tend to freak out when everyone is looking at me talk for a sustained period of time. This ES1102 presentation has been an enriching one. It was good to get constructive feedback from classmates and tutor about my presentation style and to get tips on how to improve on it.
I may have seemed confident in front of the class but I felt as if I was disorganized due to my nervousness. I felt like I could have articulated my ideas more clearly and not stumble over my words so often. I did not memorize my script. Instead, I listed down the important points I wanted to address during the presentation and I realized it help me with a smoother transition. Also, many of my classmates have commented how I moved a lot and it can get a bit distracting during presentation. It seemed natural to me as I am usually not able to keep still at one spot. However, I should adopt a more firm stance and posture while talking in front of an audience.
Wednesday, 1 April 2015
Critical Reflection: Outline
Write a critically reflective post on the topic “The Role of Peer and Tutor Feedback." Explain your view of that feedback, how it impacted your developing writing skills, and whether/how you might have transferred content, organization and language skills learned in the course to writing assignments within any other module. This should be 300 to 400 words.
The Role of Peer and Tutor Feedback
1. Describe the experience
- Enriching
- Helps to critically reflect on our writing as well as share writing experiences with others
- Learn different styles of writing (choose and adapt the different styles to suit individual)
2. Why / how did it happen? What factors contributed? How do you feel about it?
- Guidelines / template for peer feedback
- Questions to guide us on how to analyze and evaluate each other's essays i.e. to look out for subject-verb agreement, flow / transition, thesis statement etc.
- Intimidating... helps to be open and accept critique
- Constructive feedback, specific (tell us on what to focus on, and how to improve on it)
- Helps me identify on what to work on
3. What is your new interpretation of the experience? What is the significance? What did you learn about yourself and others?
- Useful for students, especially for FASS - need to submit a lot of essay assignments
- Organization is very important because it helps the reader to understand the flow of the essay better (and it sustains their attention too)
4. What will you do as a result of this experience? How will you use it to inform your future?
- Apply these skills learnt in future essay writing
- Organize content and search for sources / information well before drafting out the essay
- Remember to cite journals properly
The Role of Peer and Tutor Feedback
1. Describe the experience
- Enriching
- Helps to critically reflect on our writing as well as share writing experiences with others
- Learn different styles of writing (choose and adapt the different styles to suit individual)
2. Why / how did it happen? What factors contributed? How do you feel about it?
- Guidelines / template for peer feedback
- Questions to guide us on how to analyze and evaluate each other's essays i.e. to look out for subject-verb agreement, flow / transition, thesis statement etc.
- Intimidating... helps to be open and accept critique
- Constructive feedback, specific (tell us on what to focus on, and how to improve on it)
- Helps me identify on what to work on
3. What is your new interpretation of the experience? What is the significance? What did you learn about yourself and others?
- Useful for students, especially for FASS - need to submit a lot of essay assignments
- Organization is very important because it helps the reader to understand the flow of the essay better (and it sustains their attention too)
4. What will you do as a result of this experience? How will you use it to inform your future?
- Apply these skills learnt in future essay writing
- Organize content and search for sources / information well before drafting out the essay
- Remember to cite journals properly
Reader Response Draft #4
In the article "The Perils of Over-sharing in Social Network, Emm (2014) states that over-reliance on the internet makes users susceptible to unwarranted threats to personal and organizational security. Many people post online to notify their social circles about their whereabouts, which also increases the accessibility to one's private information. The growing trend poses a risk to not only oneself, but also to one's company's image should one divulge his / her organization's information. The author suggests that users enhance their device and internet security and to be wary of what one shares on social media.
As part of Generation Y, I have views that are parallel to the author's as I personally experience the growing dependency on my phone and the internet to get many daily life tasks done. The “brag culture” pervades the era we are in now, living with the phenomenon of "pictures or it didn't happen". Golinkoff (2015) mentions that popular social media apps like Facebook, Instagram and Twitter have made people obsessed about how they appear to everyone else. Majority busy themselves by narrating to our online audience instead of living in the moment. Such "normal" and seemingly harmless behavior is, in fact, inviting danger upon ourselves as it results in easy access to our private information and allows others to sneak into our lives. However, Emm's view draws attention to a very narrow aspect of online threats, exaggerating their negative consequences, while invalidating the possible offline dangers.
The author addresses the issue of privacy invasion due to the government's omnipresence online, and I agree that this may result in disagreements among a large number citizens. This hot debate and never-ending struggle to find the delicate balance between privacy and personal security will continue to exist as long as there is dependency on the internet. As people exchange emails and surf the internet, their activities are being tracked. Also, certain social networks are being paid by other companies to get hold of the users' private information such as emails and phone numbers. The term "Big Brother is watching you" has been formulated, encapsulating the idea of the government snooping behind the screens of the citizens. While such actions are taken to ensure the safety of the people, the issue of individual rights to privacy still persists.
Even though the higher authorities get a hold of our personal information under surveillance, they are not the most threatening parties online. Schlesinger (2014) affirms that cyber-criminals are the ill-intended users that internet surfers have to be truly wary of. These tech-related criminals are seeking loopholes and vulnerabilities that are shared online by careless and unaware users. They would jump at the opportunity to hack into accounts and gain important information like PIN numbers and other financial data. As such, organizations should heed Emm's advice to invest in a more secure protection to safeguard their company's data. This is to ensure that their confidential information stays only within the company members and the public is unable to access it.
However, the threats lurking on the internet are a reflection of reality. While many have said that internet is a dangerous platform that allows anyone and everyone to view your profiles, it could happen off the internet too. Crimes such as bank robbery and burglary still happen, out of the cyberspace context. Such dangers are comparable and the threats and risks that are posed by such corruptions - online or offline - are legitimate concerns to everyone. Hence, the article written by Emm accentuates the perils of the internet, while overlooking the crimes that could occur even without the use of the internet.
To sum up, while Emm gives a very elaborate picture of the negative consequences of the internet, he seems to exaggerate the extent to which dependency on the internet jeopardizes our personal lives. He negates other possible crimes that could happen offline too. He also brings up the citizens' uneasiness with the government's prying involvement in the citizens' online activities but fails to address the importance of such actions in guarding the security of citizens.
References
Emm, D. (2014, August 21). The Perils of Over-sharing in
Social Networks. Retrieved from The
Guardian http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/david-emm/the-perils-of-over-sharing-in-social-networks_b_5005276.html
Golinkoff, R. (2015, February 2). A Conversation About
Conversations. Retrieved from The
Huffingtonpost http://www.huffingtonpost.com/roberta-michnick-golinkoff/a-conversation-about-conv_b_6590206.html
Schlesinger, J. (2014, June 3). Is Big Brother really
watching you?. Retrieved from CNBC http://www.cnbc.com/id/101719082#
Essay Draft #3
The use of social media has surged, raising concerns about the detrimental effects of over-dependence. Such a habit may interfere with people's lifestyle if they get overly-compelled to engage in social media updates at every moment. The term "social network addiction" has been informally coined to describe a person who spends too much time on Facebook, Twitter and other social networking platforms to the extent that it interferes with his or her daily life (Kuss & Griffiths, 2011). Even though the social network addiction is not an official medical term, it is a real issue that the Ministry of Education (MOE) needs to address, specifically to the iGeneration, and to seek a solution to juggle the delicate balance between pleasure and obsession.
Konnikova (2014) states that The American Journal of Psychiatry strongly suggests adding "Internet Addiction" in the next DSM. Such compulsion to be involved in social media network almost constantly to the extent that is causes distress demonstrates signs of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). While the term is still vaguely defined, a social network addict would be someone who has a compulsion to excessively check status updates, new photo uploads and view profiles at every second. Meikle (2012) states that urges to twitter are actually stronger and harder to resist as compared to cravings for alcohol and cigarettes. However, it is difficult to draw a line between plain fondness for engaging in social media and an addiction that is harmful to one's life.
Rosen (2014) conducted a survey to members across four generations to analyze the use of social media and what factors would predict who would use more or less technology. Results showed that the younger generation, also known as the iGeneration, those born between 1990 to 1999, are the most avid users of the internet. This sub-population grew up with the internet technology and is probably the most likely folks to be affected by the "social network addiction" syndrome.
As such, rehabilitation is needed for such an addiction. Increasing the awareness of the public of the term "social network addiction" would be a huge first step in addressing the issue. One would need to be aware of the symptoms so if he or she identifies the problem, measures can be taken to tackle the addiction. The Media Development Authority of Singapore (MDA) should release short video clips that are engaging and informative on social network platforms such as Facebook and Youtube to educate these young children and teenagers about the symptoms of social network addiction. In the campaign, it should include visible signs that can be easily identified and helplines should be displayed so they are aware of who to contact if they are in need of help.
In addition, the Ministry of Education (MOE) could implement a program to increase the awareness of the negative consequences of internet addiction. Teachers have close contact with these young children and teenagers from the iGeneration and thus, they would be the best candidates in relaying the message to them. This could be incorporated into their "Health Education" lesson, where the teachers could bring up the "social network addiction" issue. Such a session should be conducted in a smaller, intimate setting as it would encourage self-disclosure and open discussion about any possible fears, worries or concerns about the over-usage or addiction to social media. While this could be an exposure to them, it could also bolster critical reflection in which they think about the purpose of engaging in social media and how it influences their life.
Currently, the MOE has encouraged schools to teach about internet safety and security, especially on how to prevent oneself from falling prey into online scams. They are also safeguarding certain materials such as pornographic websites from under-aged children. However, the internet is vast and it is impossible to keep track of every single user's actions. Similarly, if we were to implement the awareness campaign about internet addiction and the possible symptoms, the message could be relayed effectively. However, this effectiveness may not translate to objective outcomes. They may still be over-reliant on internet technology and may get hooked into it so much that it disrupts their daily lifestyle. This is a flaw that would need to be explored further.
To sum up, "social network addiction" may not be a term that exists in official documents, as of now, but it has been a growing concern ever since the Internet revolution. Studies have shown the detrimental effects on an individual's psychological, emotional and social being and while we may not have sunk into the psychiatric disorder, it would be safe to take precautionary measures to prevent such a situation. As such, the MDA and MOE play a critical role in raising awareness and educate these citizens, especially the iGeneration, on how to use social media moderately, only to reap the best benefits.
References
Konnikova, M. (2014). Is internet addiction a real thing?. The New Yorker. Retrieved from: http://www.newyorker.com/science/maria-konnikova/internet-addiction-real-thing
Kuss, D. J., & Griffiths, M, D. (2011). Online social networking and addiction - a review of the psychological literature. International journal of environmental research and public health, 8(9), 3528-3552.
Meikle, J. (2012). Twitter is harder to resist than cigarettes and alcohol, study finds. The Guardian. Retrieved from: http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2012/feb/03/twitter-resist-cigarettes-alcohol-study
Rosen, L. (2014). Our Social Media Obsession. Psychology Today. Retrieved from: https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/rewired-the-psychology-technology/201407/our-social-media-obsession
Konnikova (2014) states that The American Journal of Psychiatry strongly suggests adding "Internet Addiction" in the next DSM. Such compulsion to be involved in social media network almost constantly to the extent that is causes distress demonstrates signs of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). While the term is still vaguely defined, a social network addict would be someone who has a compulsion to excessively check status updates, new photo uploads and view profiles at every second. Meikle (2012) states that urges to twitter are actually stronger and harder to resist as compared to cravings for alcohol and cigarettes. However, it is difficult to draw a line between plain fondness for engaging in social media and an addiction that is harmful to one's life.
Rosen (2014) conducted a survey to members across four generations to analyze the use of social media and what factors would predict who would use more or less technology. Results showed that the younger generation, also known as the iGeneration, those born between 1990 to 1999, are the most avid users of the internet. This sub-population grew up with the internet technology and is probably the most likely folks to be affected by the "social network addiction" syndrome.
As such, rehabilitation is needed for such an addiction. Increasing the awareness of the public of the term "social network addiction" would be a huge first step in addressing the issue. One would need to be aware of the symptoms so if he or she identifies the problem, measures can be taken to tackle the addiction. The Media Development Authority of Singapore (MDA) should release short video clips that are engaging and informative on social network platforms such as Facebook and Youtube to educate these young children and teenagers about the symptoms of social network addiction. In the campaign, it should include visible signs that can be easily identified and helplines should be displayed so they are aware of who to contact if they are in need of help.
In addition, the Ministry of Education (MOE) could implement a program to increase the awareness of the negative consequences of internet addiction. Teachers have close contact with these young children and teenagers from the iGeneration and thus, they would be the best candidates in relaying the message to them. This could be incorporated into their "Health Education" lesson, where the teachers could bring up the "social network addiction" issue. Such a session should be conducted in a smaller, intimate setting as it would encourage self-disclosure and open discussion about any possible fears, worries or concerns about the over-usage or addiction to social media. While this could be an exposure to them, it could also bolster critical reflection in which they think about the purpose of engaging in social media and how it influences their life.
Currently, the MOE has encouraged schools to teach about internet safety and security, especially on how to prevent oneself from falling prey into online scams. They are also safeguarding certain materials such as pornographic websites from under-aged children. However, the internet is vast and it is impossible to keep track of every single user's actions. Similarly, if we were to implement the awareness campaign about internet addiction and the possible symptoms, the message could be relayed effectively. However, this effectiveness may not translate to objective outcomes. They may still be over-reliant on internet technology and may get hooked into it so much that it disrupts their daily lifestyle. This is a flaw that would need to be explored further.
To sum up, "social network addiction" may not be a term that exists in official documents, as of now, but it has been a growing concern ever since the Internet revolution. Studies have shown the detrimental effects on an individual's psychological, emotional and social being and while we may not have sunk into the psychiatric disorder, it would be safe to take precautionary measures to prevent such a situation. As such, the MDA and MOE play a critical role in raising awareness and educate these citizens, especially the iGeneration, on how to use social media moderately, only to reap the best benefits.
References
Konnikova, M. (2014). Is internet addiction a real thing?. The New Yorker. Retrieved from: http://www.newyorker.com/science/maria-konnikova/internet-addiction-real-thing
Kuss, D. J., & Griffiths, M, D. (2011). Online social networking and addiction - a review of the psychological literature. International journal of environmental research and public health, 8(9), 3528-3552.
Meikle, J. (2012). Twitter is harder to resist than cigarettes and alcohol, study finds. The Guardian. Retrieved from: http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2012/feb/03/twitter-resist-cigarettes-alcohol-study
Rosen, L. (2014). Our Social Media Obsession. Psychology Today. Retrieved from: https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/rewired-the-psychology-technology/201407/our-social-media-obsession
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