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[maryrosefaelnar]

“The Good and Bad: How Social Media Affected Me as a Gen Z Individual “

Social media has a large impact on our lives, affecting everything from our mental health to our physical health, as well as our behaviors, attitudes, values, and preferences. Social media, like everything else, has advantages and disadvantages. I'd like to share how social media affects my life, specifically how it affects my mental health and relationships. I used to feel inadequate about my own life back in the day. I became ungrateful and dissatisfied with everything, including my accomplishments. What I saw online about people living luxurious lives and being able to get their desires only fueled my insecurity. Then it got to the point where it was affecting my mental health, which is one of the many negative effects of social media on our lives. We all, or at least the majority of us, have this experience. The good thing is that as time passed, many realizations and significant events occurred, causing me to change and appreciate everything, from small to large accomplishments, in every aspect of my daily life. 

Social media became a tool for me to vent my frustrations, raise awareness, communicate, and have a good laugh —since my friends and I are unable to go out as much as we used to. I frequently see posts that aim to raise awareness about issues (e.g., mental health, bullying, and so on), which is a good thing because people are now more aware of and concerned, including me, about issues that were previously unacknowledged. I always share this type of post in the hopes of making a difference in someone else's life. We are now more involved in the online world, particularly in times like these. We're all stressed out about how things that used to be done in an office or school are now done inside four-sided walls, with no coworkers or classmates to engage in personal interaction. Our situation affects almost all of us, from children to the elderly. But I'm hoping to make an impact with the help of social media. It has a positive impact on me because it has made me more responsible and has taught me how to behave appropriately on social media. What used to make me feel insecure is now a way for me to make a small difference.

[maryrosefaelnar]

“Digital Divide in the New Normal”

The digital divide is divided into two worlds: those with internet access and those without. It is a widening gap between the underprivileged and privileged members of society that has been a crucial part of our lives in the new normal, exacerbated by geographical barriers, a lack of willingness to use technology, a lack of physical access to technology, and digital illiteracy. Technology has become increasingly important in our lives, especially in this new world we live in, and this has been a problem since then. Lack of communication and isolation are some of the implications of the Digital Divide. People in rural locations with limited access to the internet, or who do not have access at all, feel it to be a barrier to their education and knowledge. It also underlines how inequality is caused by social disparities and gender discrimination. It affects everyone, but the effects are felt more intensely in places where privilege does not extend.

We live in a technologically evolved world that, without a doubt, makes our lives easier. Many children and teenagers have increased their use of digital platforms such as mobile phones and computer/laptop devices as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. Students can take classes online if they have easy Internet access, or in modular classes, if they have limited Internet access. This appears to be a worsening of existing inequalities between privileged and unprivileged socio-economic classes, resulting in the denial of basic human rights to persons living in poverty, posing a serious threat to learning continuity. The digital divide has become a roadblock for those who wish to pursue something but can't because of a lack of technical understanding. The so-called "digital divide" must be bridged. We must always remember that it is not only about having access to technology, but also about having access to opportunities.

[maryrosefaelnar]

“Understanding the Relevance of Information and News Literacy in the Midst of Social Media Era”

During the Social Era, the media has evolved into a source of information for people who are capable of disseminating a wide range of messages, including economic data, political, economic, social, and cultural information, as well as defense and security. The number of avenues for disseminating information is growing, as is the ease with which all types of information can be accessed. The media's responsibility is to identify concerns and provide value to the glut of information so that citizens can study, select, and actively participate in the things that promote a nation. Social media has a significant impact on public opinion since users can consume information in a variety of ways.

 Information and news literacy is very essential especially nowadays because it aids people in comprehending the messages they are receiving. With so many sources of information available, it can assist consumers in identifying trustworthy sources and determining information's reliability. People may not only absorb the information offered on social media, but also provide direct comments, it has a significant impact on public opinion. We simply believe anything we read without even validating it. That is why we require media and information literacy to assist us in using media wisely in order to not only develop our skills, but also to gain accurate and useful information.

[maryrosefaelnar]

“Media Evolution and the Changing World”

        Media has a significant role in assisting people by bringing news , permeating people's lives by forming their own ideas, and serving as the people's voice to the government. The media is a useful tool for communicating and disseminating information, but it also has drawbacks in that it does not only provide us with knowledge, but it also has the capacity to affect how people think. With a regular use of social media, many aspects of everyday life changed. Concerns and difficulties have arisen as a result of the evolution of the media. It has been accused frequently of mind control, prejudice, and poor quality. Nonetheless, the advancement of communication technology enables individuals today to find more knowledge more quickly than any prior age. 

        Some media provide information in a biased manner, especially when it comes to politics. Some tragedies happen to different parts of our nation, but they all have the same goal: to bring down the government. Just as biased media outlets disseminate information, there are many corrupt persons in all branches of government, not just politics. The government is investigated by the media for suspected corruption and wrongdoing. Corruption reforms and other criminal behaviors are implemented, and many government officials are imprisoned as a result. This causes significant conflicts between the two, as many officials are using the media to spread twisted knowledge to appear good in the eyes of the people .The media and government can deceive individuals and change their views about current events in our globe but without the media, we would have no way of knowing what's going on in the world today, and without government, there's no way to punish us and steer us in the right direction.

[maryrosefaelnar]

“Media and Government: A Love-Hate Relationship”

[maryrosefaelnar]

“The Value of Being a Media and Information Literate Individual”

It is no longer uncommon to see kids making goofy video, dancing, singing, and sharing their photos across multiple social media platform (e.g. Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and more). We are all, by definition, social beings. We thrive on being able to communicate our knowledge and experiences. As these kids get older, they will inevitably become interested with social media. And, it will be a fact of life that they will be exposed to social media. However, does the fact that they are exposed to media imply that they are media and information literate? What is Media and Information Literacy anyway? To put it simply, these kids are not media and information literate though they may have the fundamental or basic knowledge as to how media functions. Individuals' understanding of media functions and how they utilize them for self-expression is referred to as media literacy. Information literacy, on the other hand, includes the capacity to absorb information from a range of sources as well as the ability to identify the value of information. Media and information literacy, commonly referred to as (MIL), involves equipping people with the knowledge and skills to engage effectively and responsibly with media information systems, allowing them to become active and critical citizens capable of participating in civic life and democracy. Media and Information Literacy (MIL) have long been thought of as different areas, but the strategy is what brings them together as a set of competencies that are critical in today's world.

         The value of being media and information literate has never been more important than it is now. Being literate in media and information will offer us an edge in today's society, particularly in terms of delivering and receiving information, as we will be able to identify the majority of false and correct information in various types of media. It has a significant impact on how people access and consume information, and it is helpful to a country's development. A country with individuals who are media and information literate will have an edge over other countries that continue to rely on conventional forms of literacy. To become a media literate, you must learn to evaluate what you are seeing, reading, or listening to. Media must be assessed, and consumers must be able to recognize different forms of media as well as the producers' goals in making and presenting the media. To be information literate, you must be able to identify when information is needed and have the capacity to seek, analyze, and use that information. As students we must be media and information literate since it will assist us in our learning process and offer us with additional knowledge to apply in our future pursuits, notably in our future employment.