In the essay “Does That Face-Book Come in Braille,” Katie Ellis and Mike Kent illustrate the influence of SNS (Social Networking Systems) on modern individuals who seek information. While online social networking is built on the concept of community, we are living in an era where community cannot be defined without social networking. Whether it is friends, family, teachers or students, social networking systems such as Facebook play a significant role of establishing and maintaining relationships worldwide. Without social networking systems, people would have a much harder time communicating with each other, sharing information, and even maintaining relationships across borders.
As Katie and Mike have mentioned, social networking systems greatly help technology reliant population of the 21st century. Even those with disabilities can get unlimited access to information (information that is rather highly censored and controlled) through social media without much effort. However, there are both pros and cons regarding the increasing dependence on social media. Although social networking could open a new world to people with disability, it could also provide “information disability” to those who do not make use of social networking sites.
Social networking seems to reinforce an atmosphere of individualism and a sense of being alone in the global world by providing a source of online community. The social media facilitate an extension of existing social relationships through artificial space, and provide an effective way for individuals to maintain an awareness of the activities of a potentially large number of people. Just as the title of the book, “Disability and New Media,” suggests, the new media provides social inclusion of the disabled. In cyberspace, individual characteristics and identities can be hidden, with the exception of certain sites such as Facebook where personal information is widely released. Throughout history, people with disability have been viewed as a deviant group in need of treatment. Structural discrimination and avoidance against the disabled have been a problem for centuries. However, with hidden or masked identities in cyberspace, those with disabilities can be treated without prejudice or prejudgments. In other words, the Internet is the new “land of opportunity.”
As mentioned previously, although social networking could provide those with disabilities a new opportunity, it could also disable those who are not involved in the Internet community. It is true that a great number of people in developed worlds utilize the Internet to access information, to connect with others and to create a sense of community. However, those who choose not to use social networking systems are excluded from the online community. Exclusion from social networking can often lead to extreme inequalities between social participation and information acquisition. Cyber exclusion often leads to real-world exclusion, as the distinction between reality and cyberspace is blurring as social media become more prevalent. It is an individual’s choice whether or not to use social networking systems. However, I truly believe that it is necessary to find a balance between cyberspace and the real world. If one is too concentrated on social networking systems, real communication and sense of belonging in real societies may get lost.
As Katie and Mike have mentioned, social networking systems greatly help technology reliant population of the 21st century. Even those with disabilities can get unlimited access to information (information that is rather highly censored and controlled) through social media without much effort. However, there are both pros and cons regarding the increasing dependence on social media. Although social networking could open a new world to people with disability, it could also provide “information disability” to those who do not make use of social networking sites.
Social networking seems to reinforce an atmosphere of individualism and a sense of being alone in the global world by providing a source of online community. The social media facilitate an extension of existing social relationships through artificial space, and provide an effective way for individuals to maintain an awareness of the activities of a potentially large number of people. Just as the title of the book, “Disability and New Media,” suggests, the new media provides social inclusion of the disabled. In cyberspace, individual characteristics and identities can be hidden, with the exception of certain sites such as Facebook where personal information is widely released. Throughout history, people with disability have been viewed as a deviant group in need of treatment. Structural discrimination and avoidance against the disabled have been a problem for centuries. However, with hidden or masked identities in cyberspace, those with disabilities can be treated without prejudice or prejudgments. In other words, the Internet is the new “land of opportunity.”
As mentioned previously, although social networking could provide those with disabilities a new opportunity, it could also disable those who are not involved in the Internet community. It is true that a great number of people in developed worlds utilize the Internet to access information, to connect with others and to create a sense of community. However, those who choose not to use social networking systems are excluded from the online community. Exclusion from social networking can often lead to extreme inequalities between social participation and information acquisition. Cyber exclusion often leads to real-world exclusion, as the distinction between reality and cyberspace is blurring as social media become more prevalent. It is an individual’s choice whether or not to use social networking systems. However, I truly believe that it is necessary to find a balance between cyberspace and the real world. If one is too concentrated on social networking systems, real communication and sense of belonging in real societies may get lost.