Growing up in the 1950s we became kids influenced by the age of television. Our parents and especially grandparents, that grew up in an entirely different environment, thought that television was too much if an influence and would adversity affect our lives. One thing that certainly comes to mind was the widespread depiction of smoking cigarettes on television. Just about every show had multiple characters smoking. All making smoking seem very socially acceptable along with the illustration that since so many were smoking, it surely must be safe. And while the were other negative aspects of watching television, like spending too much time sitting in front of the" boob tube" verses getting outside and playing which was much healthier.
Flash forward to today... after 25 years of computers, cell phones, texting, tablets, and social media. The information explosion with everyone exposed to everyone elses prejudices, racism, and beliefs... everyone wanting to force their beliefs upon others... and others resenting their interference and forced influence. Add socially dramatically contested controversial issues and everything being sensationalize by the news media and social media.
The perfect storm for a socially everything negative environment. And watching the Grand kids growing up under all these negative influences... It's easy to see how the news media and social media have flooded the lives of young adults, teenagers, and kids with controversy, turmoil, anger, and hate.
The past, verses the present... the technology age of internet and social media has proved to overall detrimental to the wellbeing of society. A whole generation of malcontents coupled with the" its all about me" generation. So yes... Personal opinion... social media has done more harm than good for young people that are not emotionally prepared to deal with all the negativity. To say tv negatively impacted the boomer generation is a drop in the bucket to the flood of social media that has negatively impacted young adults and kids.
Social media, the news media, politics, politicians, racism and prejudice... the down fall of society.... Filled with hate and ugly.
We were all better off before social media.. More negatives than positives.
