Intimacy and Communication - Book Report/Review Example

Intimacy and Communication Introduction Internet use has gained intimacy among many youth across the world. it enables people from different places to communicate through different means of social media. Examples include Facebook and my space (Donath & boyd 34). The youth have taken up the advantages of the social media to exchange information in different differently. Most of the information exchanged through the social media mostly is personal and confidential information. Most of the youth who use the social media are college students who managed to keep constant relationship with their high school student friends.. In this regard, they exchange ideas through posting of information on their walls where their friends can view and respond to the underlying issue. It is in this view that this paper intends to analyze critically the article on developmental psychology giving its advantages and disadvantages. The paper also gives suggestions on the ways to improve the article. Concepts of the article During this era of technological inventions, the internet is greatly becoming an important factor in socialization of different people in relation to ages. It is more profound in young people who are transforming into their early adulthood. They engage in various activities that develop their interests in various ways. For instance, sexual development and identity are projected metaphorically and literally on most of the computer systems. The other issues developing among the users of internet are the breadth and the depth at which they users are engaging in the modern communication systems (Ellison, Steinfield & Lampe 45). Intimate relationships that are close make it possible for making the users psychological well. The writer believes that exchanging of photographs and information through updating status improves social aspects of the youth. The photographs have to be decorative to make better attraction from the other end. Therefore constructing of the image of the photograph will involve figuring out desires of impression that should come across an individual’s wall then implement it. This high attractiveness creates high prizes in socialization activities (Dunbar 35). All the communicators through the internet strive to be attractive to lure more people for communication improvement. It is from the article that communication through the social media improves the social status and provides extraordinary fulfillment in oneself. For instance, posting of information or updating status on the Facebook can enable one get enough comments from friends to help in a problem. This is quite advantageous in that there are always friend who can provide guidance through the internet although they might be far away from the protagonists. The article reveals that students who communicate through Facebook and my space have less depression and can easily cope with college life. They communicate with one another giving information concerning their status at the college thus gaining better self-esteem during their studies. Advantages of the article It is important to note that the article dealt with youthful individuals who are transforming into adult stages. it has greatly highlighted possible benefits of using the internet and the social media in a unique manner that no one can fail to appreciate. For instance, the article dealt with students who came from a high school setting to a college or a university setting. It stretched a great mile to identify how they use their social media to keep their friendship intact with the former friend. It is true that students with greatest number of members on his or her profile receive more messages and information than those with few contacts in their profiles (Dunbar 78). The higher the number of contacts the higher the person can socialize with other members through the social media. Weaknesses of the article Despite the fact that the article highlights positive aspects of the developing internet use, it has failed to address some issues. For example, the article has dwelt on only young students from high school to college levels (Ellison, Steinfield & Lampe 86). This does not reflect all the information across all the ages. Adults use the internet for various reasons. They use it for business to sell their goods. They use the internet for political issues, to gather meetings and address areas of interest in their views. The other problem with the article is that it has left out the young kids who also use the internet for socialization and playing games. It is difficult for young kids to stay away from the internet. They take part in different activities that can enhance their psychological development and social status. On the other hand, the internet can also hamper proper psychological development of children since they may be accessible to information that is over their ages. For example sexual information which may describe more of the less important information to the growing child. The article has extensively dealt with Facebook and my space as the most popular social media for the youth. Although it might be right in one way or the other but it should have included other social media to get more information about their effects in developing social effectiveness for the youth (Ellison, Steinfield & Lampe 89). The article has left out the effects of the social media to the group that is utilizing it. The negative effect of using the social media like Facebook and my space is dangerous. For instance, those who use the media are exposed to dangers of meeting people who may cause harm to them. The article should have addressed this grave matter so that those who read can get the information and be ready to avoid such instances. They should take precaution when meeting new people through the social media. Proposals for improvement The article gives important aspects of using the internet to maintain mutual friendship in people who may depart to different areas of the world. It should include all ages of people right from the young kids, the youth and the adults to make sure it covers all areas of interest. Communication through the phone is another way that people can keep their relationship better through communicating (Dunbar 90). The article should make use of other communication agents just like the phone to get better results on the topic. The article should be able to address issues that affect members of the whole community instead of only looking at part of the community. It is possible that during the research, the participants were allowed to sign up for Facebook and my space. This is contrary since it can give results that are not substantial. The researchers should use already registered members in order to obtain results that can reflect real status of internet communication and their effects to the community. Works Cited Donath, J., & boyd, D. Public displays of connection. BT Technology Journal, Cambridge, Harvard University Press, 2003. Print. Dunbar, R. Grooming, gossip and the evolution of language. Cambridge, Harvard University Press, 2004. Print Ellison, N., Steinfield, C., & Lampe, C. Connection strategies:Social capital implications of Facebook-enabled communication practices, Cambridge, Harvard University Press, 2001. Print Ellison, N., Steinfield, C., & Lampe, C. (2007). The benefits of Facebook“friends”: Social capital and college students’ use of online social, network sites. Journal of Computer-Mediated Communication Cambridge, Harvard University Press, 2007. Print. Read More