Brandon Cortés- News Writer
While technology, social media and the internet advance by leaps and bounds, we increasingly see it as necessary for our daily lives. We use the internet to shop online, entertain ourselves and now with the dawn of artificial intelligence, we use it to generate more ideas and even art. However, some students at the university believe that we have become more and more attached to the internet to the point of developing an addiction.
Theater major Vanessa Flores, a senior, said that as time goes by, we have become more and more dehumanized by the internet to such a degree that we have lost true attachment to nature and the real world.
“There was a time where I felt too attached to social media and the internet; however, I really think that now that I no longer use them, I can enjoy the things around me a little more,” Flores said.
This feeling of disconnection from real life is also a recurring feeling in social work major Zariah Taylor, a freshman, who says that social networks and the internet should only be used for specific things and not to dissociate yourself from reality.
“Social media is a façade. It only shows you what the algorithm wants you to see and in turn distorts reality,” Taylor said.
Taylor added that over time, the internet has played a significant role in “reshaping” our lives, pushing us further away from a genuine connection with nature and the tangible world. The constant immersion in the digital realm has led to a sense of detachment, overshadowing our once strong bond with the natural environment.
“The rapid pace of technological advancements contributes to a society that prioritizes digital communication over direct engagement with the physical surroundings,” Taylor said.
However, business and psychology major Belle Smith, a freshman, has a somewhat different opinion. She said that social networks, the internet and technological advances can be used more for good than bad.
She says that online platforms and social networks open doors to opportunities that may not be easily accessible in offline scenarios.
“Let’s be honest, with the advent of platforms like LinkedIn, Indeed and various other social media tailored for job searches and recommendations, finding employment has become considerably more streamlined compared to years gone by,” Smith said.
It is imperative to recognize that in today’s digital age, the impact of social media extends beyond personal connections and leisure. Employers increasingly utilize a process known as “social media screening” to scrutinize the online presence of potential candidates.
This entails a thorough examination of individuals’ profiles on various social networks, such as Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn, as a part of the hiring process.
During social media screenings, recruiters evaluate not only prospective employees’ professional qualifications but also their behavior, character and overall online persona.
This holistic approach provides employers with insights into applicants’ communication style, values and how they present themselves outside the confines of a resume or job application. Consequently, the content and images they share on social platforms can carry significant weight in influencing the employer’s perception of applicants’ suitability for a particular role within the company.
