| Description |
Social media is one of the newest forms of publishing, catering mainly to an individual and their thoughts to an audience ranging from anyone who uses a particular platform, to a curated list of those they have allowed to follow them. It has become a part of daily life for many, allowing anyone to participate in a form of self-publishing. While it has not replaced journaling, a more traditional method of personal record keeping, it is quickly growing to be a major supplement to keeping physical records for many people. Individuals largely see social media as less authentic than other forms of personal records, despite claiming to be completely authentic on networks. This is due to a double standard of holding oneself to a standard of truthfulness, and others to a standard of vulnerability. Since the advent of social media, individuals have also largely shifted to using journals and diaries as methods of personal reflection, rather than records for posterity or works they intend to be seen by a wider audience. Social media is not an entirely public venue (users can filter who sees their posts to some degree), but there is still some concern about the privacy of platforms and the internet. Individuals are largely unconcerned with how long their records are maintained, whether physical or digital. This project examines the attitudes of college students towards social media and other forms of personal record keeping in order to gain an understanding of the cultural significance of each in the present day. |
