Dr. Evita March’s initial interest in the subject of cyber abuse was sparked by the suicide of Australian model and television personality Charlotte Dawson, who had suffered from cyber abuse for quite some time before her death as well as the increasing frequency with which cyber abuse is being reported motivated Dr. Evita March to investigate the natural causes for this trend and create a psychological profile of cyber abusers. Dr. March and her colleagues found that individuals who abuse others online are less likely to feel empathy and more likely to display traits like insensitivity and impulsivity. Cyberbullying, therefore, is more likely to be used by people who lack emotional intelligence and empathy. According to her, empathy is a skill that can be taught, and practicing empathy can have positive results.
After becoming interested in the topic following the suicide of Australian model and television personality Charlotte Dawson in 2014, who had been the victim of cyber abuse for some time, Dr. Evita March sets out to answer the research question, “Why do people engage in cyber abuse?” She conducted psychological research to understand better what factors might lead to cyber abuse. She worked on several studies that concluded that those who engage in cyber abuse are less empathetic than the general population and more likely to be callous, impulsive, and enjoy inflicting psychological harm. Therefore, the motivations of those who engage in cyber abuse are the focus of her research question.
Dr. March says that knowledge of technology is the most effective weapon against cyberbullying. In her argument, people who are well informed in the digital world are better able to handle themselves in cyberspace than the illiterate ones and hence deal with incidents of cyber abuse whenever they arise; therefore, by increasing people’s digital literacy, we can help individuals avoid becoming victims of cyberbullying. Dr. March believes teaching people online safety and responsibility is the best way to combat cyber abuse. She claims blocking and reporting abusive content does not solve the problem or prevent future incidents. She believes that we can change online discourse and end the crisis by teaching people to recognize, report, and stop cyberbullying.
Concerning Dr. March’s topics discussed in the video, Abaido’s article, “Cyberbullying on social media platforms among university students in the United Arab Emirates,” resonates with her views. This can be seen in the paper, which examines the incidences and effects of cyberbullying among the United Arab Emirate’s college students. Dr. March’s video and Abaido’s article discuss cyberbullying and mental health. To promote mental health, Dr. March emphasizes addressing cyber abuse, including cyberbullying, and in Abaido’s article, cyberbullying harms UAE university students’ mental health. Both the video and report underline the need for cyberbullying intervention and mental health promotion strategies.
Are screens making us less happy?
Adam Alter who is a psychologist and Associate Professor of Marketing makes a statement that “the more you use Facebook, the more likely it is that you are using it as a substitute for face-to-face interaction, leading to a downward spiral in happiness,” Jean Twenge who is also a professor of psychology at San Diego State University states that “There has been a dramatic increase in adolescent depression and suicide attempts since 2011, It is not an exaggeration to say that iGen is on the verge of the worst mental-health crisis in decades, and much of this decline can be attributed to their smartphones” both agree that screens and their devices are bad for us.
I concur with Adam Alter that spending too much time on social media is terrible for our health by use of numerous studies support his claim that social media use decreases happiness. The University of Michigan researchers Ethan Kross, in his article (Verduyn et al., 2015), argues that Facebook use decreases life satisfaction. Passive social media use, such as mindlessly scrolling through posts without responding or engaging, was linked to loneliness and dissatisfaction. Social media makes people feel inadequate and have low self-esteem because they compare their lives to others’ seemingly perfect and idealized versions. Also (Shakya et al., 2014) of the University of California, San Diego found that social media use increases depression risk. Over two hours of daily social media use increased loneliness, isolation, and other depressive symptoms; hence social media addiction has adverse psychological effects. (Przybylski & Weinstein 2017) Oxford University found that excessive social media use can cause addiction-like symptoms like anxiety and depression. In conclusion, research supports Adam Alter’s claim that social media use decreases well-being, such as depression, social isolation, and life dissatisfaction. We must be mindful of our social media use and develop healthy technology habits to protect our mental health and well-being.
Jean Twenge is right—smartphones and social media have increased teen depression and suicide. Multiple studies have linked adolescent smartphone users to poor mental health. They started with his (Twenge et al., 2018), where Clinical Psychological Science examined two extensive surveys of American adolescents and found that those who spent more time on electronic devices and social media had more depressive and suicidal thoughts. The study found that non-screen activities like face-to-face social interaction, physical activity, and homework reduced depressive symptoms in adolescents.
(Adelantado-Renau et al., 2019) JAMA Pediatrics study found that adolescents who watched more TV and used social media were more likely to be depressed. Over 4,000 adolescents in the article (Adelantado-Renau et al., 2019) were followed for four years. It was found that those who used social media or TV heavily were at higher risk for depression. Long-term smartphone use can also impair Sleep, which can affect mental health. According (Alonzo et al., 2021), Sleep published research linking poor sleep quality and excessive daytime sleepiness to adolescent depression and other mental health issues.
According to (Ulloa et al., 2021) Child Development study, adolescents with low self-control and emotional regulation were more susceptible to the mental health risks of smartphone use. The data support Jean Twenge’s claim that smartphones and social media increase adolescent depression and suicide. Smartphones and social media have benefits but should be used sparingly, and face-to-face communication should be encouraged.
Filter bubbles
Filter bubble algorithms tailor results to a user’s interests, preferences, and past actions. Personalized content can improve a user’s online experience; hence, Filter bubbles can prevent people from seeing other perspectives. They can restrict the information encountered on websites like Facebook, Google, and Twitter. It can potentially isolate us from alternative points of view, resulting in a situation known as an “echo chamber.” When it comes to politics, filter bubbles can exacerbate polarization and deepen the entrenchment of beliefs, both of which are problematic.
Users can mitigate filter bubbles. One option is actively seeking information from multiple sources, regardless of their worldview. This could mean subscribing to a political news outlet outside their usual sphere of influence. Second, users can actively shape their online identities by engaging with and sharing content that reflects a variety of viewpoints. Over time, this can help algorithms provide users with a broader range of content options.
The last line of defense against the cognitive biases that filter bubbles can reinforce is critical thinking and self-reflection on the user’s part. A more well-rounded and realistic outlook on the world can be developed by first becoming aware of and then actively seeking out multiple points of view. In conclusion, filter bubbles have the potential to significantly alter how we interact with the internet and the range of ideas we are exposed to. Overcoming the effects of filter bubbles and developing a more well-rounded worldview is possible through the deliberate pursuit of diverse sources of information, modifying online profiles, and applying critical thinking.
We are what we post
One who finds joy in the simplest, most unexpected things is reflected in the “I have been laughing for 5 minutes, and I have tears streaming down my face, truck spill load of corn on highway” meme. Those who enjoy the humor in a given situation and can find amusement in what others might find unremarkable might enjoy this. This meme may represent people’s sense of humor and desire to share something funny. This meme shows the author’s humor and character, which may appeal to similar readers. Sharing a funny meme like this can help meet new people and strengthen relationships. Laughter relieves stress, unites people, and brightens gloomy days.
The “I’ve been laughing for 5 minutes and I have tears streaming down my face, truck spill load of corn on highway” meme is a fun way for internet users to share their humor and bond over laughter.
Using the wix, I made a Dos Equis beer commercial starring “The Most Interesting Man in the World,” which inspired a funny meme with the tagline, “I do not always sit like this, but when I do, I make sure someone is taking a photo.” The meme features a picture of someone sitting unusually or exaggeratedly with the caption.
This meme’s humor and self-aware caption may please some. The image caption implies that the subject knows how they look and is joking. This may amuse self-deprecating humorists.
This meme lets people be themselves in a fun, carefree environment. They show their humor and self-deprecation by forwarding the meme. Even though what you post online—including memes—creates your online identity, someone may feel safe posting this meme because it fits their ideal online persona. This meme shows them as carefree. A classic scene from the sitcom “Friends” features Phoebe and Joey debating whether or not there are genuine acts of kindness. Are there such things as “selfless good deeds,” or are all good deeds selfish? Write in support of Joey’s argument that “Joey argues that all good deeds are done with some kind of self-interest in mind.” Include justifications for the following in your argument:
Do Selfless Good Deeds Exist?
Joey’s claim that all acts of kindness are self-serving is valid. For instance, a volunteer at a soup kitchen may not directly help people in need. A person may donate to charity for reasons other than financial aid or support. Even though others disagree, Joey believes that even selfless acts are motivated by the actor’s desire to gain emotional, social, or physical benefits. When comparing, remember that good online deeds may be judged differently than in real life. In the wild, helping actions are often evaluated more stringently than others because of the more significant potential for visible rewards. A person who saves another from drowning is more likely to be hailed as a hero than someone who merely “likes” a social media post.
Norms for practical actions may differ in the online world. A good deed can be done, even if it does not have any immediately tangible results, such as sharing a post about a social issue on social media. Positive online communities can grow from people doing simple things for one another, like leaving encouraging comments on each other’s posts or sharing humorous memes.
The stages people go through in deciding whether or not to help someone in need are laid out in Darley and Latane’s model of helping. Here are the five steps:
- Realizing the Predicament
- Assuming the worst possible outcome
- Taking the bull by the horns
- Setting out a plan to assist
- Offering assistance
Since this model suggests that people may not even notice a situation needing help unless it is relevant to their interests or concerns, it can be used to justify that all good deeds have some degree of self-interest.
Putting your best keyboard forward
Online dating has become very popular recently, and choosing the best dating app from the many available can take time due to reliability and crime. Tinder and eHarmony are two of the most popular mobile dating apps that fit the best reliability profile and are less susceptible to crime.
Tinder
Tinder matches users by location, age, and gender. According to (Sumter et al.,2017), Sean Rad, Justin Mateen, Jonathan Badeen, and Whitney Wolfe Herd launched it in 2012, becoming a cultural phenomenon. Over 340 million people have downloaded the app in over 190 countries. Tinder’s simplicity and accessibility appeal. Swiping lets users quickly browse profiles and swipe left to pass or right to express interest. Users can chat after swiping right on each other’s profiles. This simplified process makes finding matches and starting conversations easy. Tinder’s primary demographic is 18–35-year-olds, but it is also popular with older people. College students and young professionals looking for hookups use the app. The app has also been used for serious relationships, and the company has added features like filtering matches by education and job status.
Tinder’s social appeal and simple interface helped it succeed. The app encourages users to share their profiles on Instagram and Snapchat, and its Facebook integration lets users see if they have mutual friends with potential matches. Tinder is popular because of its social aspect. Tinder has been criticized for promoting casual sex and superficiality. The app’s focus on appearance-based swiping can objectify and discriminate. The company has been accused of ignoring harassment and safety issues—photo verification and a panic button address these concerns. Tinder’s success has inspired many other dating apps with swiping interfaces. Despite criticism, the casual dating app has connected millions of people worldwide.
eHarmony
Clinical psychologist and relationship counselor Neil Clark Warren founded eHarmony in 2000 (Gupta et al., 2012). The app uses science to match people for long-term relationships rather than hookups. eHarmony helps millions find love in over 190 countries. eHarmony’s matchmaking method is appealing. The app matches users based on personality, values, and interests. Years of research have improved this system’s matches.
eHarmony targets serious daters willing to put in the time to find a match. Men and women of a median age of 30-50 use the app. The founder of eHarmony is a devout Christian, so the app initially targeted Christians. eHarmony’s compatibility matching system and other features help users find meaningful relationships. Guided communication helps users start conversations and see potential matches’ values and interests. A premium subscription lets you see who has viewed your profile and get a dating coach.
eHarmony faces competition from hookups and casual dating apps. The company has increased its marketing to younger audiences and added features like video dating to make the app more engaging and interactive. eHarmony has transformed online dating and helped many people find lasting love. The app’s scientific matchmaking and loyal user base make it less popular than its competitors. It will be interesting to see how eHarmony adapts to the changing dating landscape to continue helping people find love.
References
Abaido, G. M. (2020). Cyberbullying on social media platforms among university students in the United Arab Emirates. International journal of adolescence and youth, 25(1), 407–420.
Verduyn, P., Lee, D. S., Park, J., Shablack, H., Orvell, A., Bayer, J., … & Kross, E. (2015). Passive Facebook usage undermines affective well-being: Experimental and longitudinal evidence.
Shakya, H. B., Christakis, N. A., & Fowler, J. H. (2014). Association between social network communities and health behavior: an observational socio-centric network study of latrine ownership in rural India.
Przybylski, A. K., & Weinstein, N. (2017). A large-scale test of the goldilocks hypothesis: quantifying the relations between digital-screen use and the mental well-being of adolescents.
Twenge, J. M., Joiner, T. E., Rogers, M. L., & Martin, G. N. (2018). Increases in depressive symptoms, suicide-related outcomes, and suicide rates among US adolescents after 2010 and links to increased new media screen time.
Adelantado-Renau, M., Moliner-Urdiales, D., Cavero-Redondo, I., Beltran-Valls, M. R., Martínez-Vizcaíno, V., & Álvarez-Bueno, C. (2019). Association between screen media use and academic performance among children and adolescents: a systematic review and meta-analysis. JAMA pediatrics, 173(11), 1058-1067.
Alonzo, R., Hussain, J., Stranges, S., & Anderson, K. K. (2021). Interplay between social media use, sleep quality, and mental health in youth: A systematic review. Sleep medicine reviews 56, 101414.
Ulloa, A. C., Gliga, A., Love, T. M., Pineda, D., Mruzek, D. W., Watson, G. E., … & Broberg, K. (2021). Prenatal methylmercury exposure and DNA methylation in seven-year-old children in the Seychelles Child Development Study. Environment International, 147, 106321.
Sumter, S. R., Vandenbosch, L., & Ligtenberg, L. (2017). Love me Tinder: Untangling emerging adults’ motivations for using Tinder’s dating application. Telematics and informatics, 34(1), 67-78.
Gupta, A., Murtha, R., & Patel, N. (2012). eHarmony: More than traditional internet dating. Journal of the International Academy for Case Studies, 18(1), 43.
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