In what ways has the internet affected how you view reality? Explain using a symbolic interactionist perspective

Question

in what ways has the internet affected how you view reality? Explain using a symbolic interactionist perspective

Answer 1

I might be wrong, but I think the problem is not explaining how the Internet has affected you and how you view reality, rather the issue is how to explain that in the Symbolic Interactionist Perspective. Yes?

This might help:

According to this article (https://courses.lumenlearning.com/alamo-sociology/chapter/reading-symbolic-interactionist-theory/):

Symbolic interactionism is a micro-level theory that focuses on the relationships among individuals within a society. Communication—the exchange of meaning through language and symbols—is believed to be the way in which people make sense of their social worlds. Theorists Herman and Reynolds (1994) note that this perspective sees people as being active in shaping the social world rather than simply being acted upon.

From the same article:

Constructivism is an extension of symbolic interaction theory which proposes that reality is what humans cognitively construct it to be. We develop social constructs based on interactions with others, and those constructs that last over time are those that have meanings which are widely agreed-upon or generally accepted by most within the society. 

In this article (https://www.thoughtco.com/symbolic-interaction-theory-3026633):

Symbolic interaction theory analyzes society by addressing the subjective meanings that people impose on objects, events, and behaviors. Subjective meanings are given primacy because it is believed that people behave based on what they believe and not just on what is objectively true. Thus, society is thought to be socially constructed through human interpretation. People interpret one another’s behavior, and it is these interpretations that form the social bond. These interpretations are called the “definition of the situation.”

Look at the bold sections of the quotes above:

1. Communication—the exchange of meaning through language and symbols—is believed to be the way in which people make sense of their social worlds
2. people as being active in shaping the social world rather than simply being acted upon
3. symbolic interaction theory which proposes that reality is what humans cognitively construct it to be
4. people behave based on what they believe and not just on what is objectively true
5. People interpret one another’s behavior, and it is these interpretations that form the social bond

Communication IS the Internet. People shape what happens on the Internet. Reality is what we believe it is. People behave according to their beliefs, not just the facts. People respond to how other people behave, and that makes our society.

Now YOU have to think about how YOU view reality and how the Internet effects the way YOU see things, and how YOU act.

Different generations and different technology levels will answer this question differently. Someone my age (old!) typically does not rely on the internet for information or socializing. Someone born after 2000 typically lives with their smartphone in their hand, and will text the person sitting next to them rather than speak. Phones and social media apps count as Internet, btw.

So, now it depends on YOUR reality. THE GOOD: like social media keeps you connected to friends, being a social media influencer is a real job, you can see news and events in realtime from anywhere in the world... And THE BAD: you've been cyber bullied so you never use social media now, the piano playing cat video on youtube was a fake, you got catfished...

Hope this helps, and please, read the articles cited when you have the time.