The videos really emphasize that the way we communicate online through social media is very different than in every day life. Social media has its own language and actions that would rarely ever make any sense when dealing with a person face to face. I think the first video shows how social media is focused on over-sharing, connecting and talking with people you don’t know. While this may seem like you are being outgoing, it translates into very awkward situations outside of the internet. I do not know if this shows that we need to be more outgoing in our lives outside of the internet, or that our social media addictions are making us more introverted. Regardless, its clear that social media is its own realm of communication and language which does not translate into everyday interactions.

Although Fallon and Timberlake are clearly having fun with a new social development in conversations, I have noticed that when being in conversations where people do this, it is very impersonal. The “hashtag” implies a larger audience and community and can take the focus off the conversation at hand. Adults can hopefully navigate this, but I do worry about the effects on children like my sixth grade students who are just learning all of the important in’s and out’s of appropriate social interaction. Daily I hear my kids shout out “hashtag ___” in the halls or at lunch, so they have clearly picked up on idea of having a larger audience or being part of a bigger group, but it definitely takes away from the quality of the conversation they are having at the moment. I think students will need to learn how to balance desire to participate in online communities with the everyday needs they will have to interact effectively with people around them.

It shows just how ridiculous the entire medium is (i.e. "I’m going to endorse you, I don’t know what that means, but I’m going to do it.) It is not anything close to real life, but it has become a huge part of many peoples’ lives nonetheless. People’s obsessions with “likes” and such can’t be healthy, and it’s even more important for kids who grew up with this. People need to get outside, hold real conversations with people, and remember what actual human interaction and dialogue is like.

The major take a way I get from these videos is that social media is a separate, distinct culture. Like all cultures, there are languages and norms unique to that culture. Social Networking in Real Life shows how the norms of social media seem so strange in a “real” setting. It’s like someone from a different country and culture coming to a totally different country and culture trying to communicate with the people there. Also the #Hastag video proves that social media has a unique language/symbol that wouldn’t really make sense in “real life” conversations.

This was video was humorous, but in that real life is funnier than fiction. Most people realize that social media distorts social interaction to the extent that by hiding behind the veil of technology makes people bolder, but also more dysfunctional. I think that video makes a good point to pattern social media habits after reality and when in doubt think it out.

I found this video hilarious. I think the creator was trying to communicate that it is so easy and acceptable to connect with people online, whereas in the real world it can come off creepy. When Jenna asked the “mutual friend in common” to introduce her to the guy sitting on the other side of him, they seemed shy and acted like it was a joke. Well on mediums such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram that is a common way to add friends. I thought it was a very smart and eye-opening video. The online world seems to not translate well in the real world.

As I was watching both videos I couldn’t help but notice how extreme the world has gotten with hashtaging, sharing, commenting on just about everything. Nearly everything that is done is documented in some sort of way (picture or comment) on social media. My friends actually have a joke whenever we tell each other about something cool that we’ve done, we always say “Pics or it didn’t happen” because just about everyone takes a picture of just about everything that they do, upload it to social media, and shares it with as many people as possible.
In the first video, the woman cracks me up as she incorporates social media actions into real life. Something that stuck out to me is when she wanted to be introduced to the man sitting next to the man who she was sitting next to, even though she didn’t know either man! I got a good laugh out of that because I can’t count how many times I’ve gotten as Facebook friend request from someone who I only have one or two mutual friends with. As if they’re truly interested in my status updates or check ins.
The second video is something that I had see before but not in this context. Watching it this time around got my thinking about how hilarious it is when people hashtag everything, without knowing the purpose of a hashtag. I always explain it as “creating an photo album/ comment album online where people can connect” maybe you say #gobraves and you can click on the link and see who else is supporting the braves from around the world. However, is it really necessary to hashtag EVERYTHING you can possibly think of for one picture?
I guess the points I’m trying to make go only with Carly’s points. However, I think because social media is relatively new to all people, not just students, many people have much to learn about how to properly connect online … and when it goes too far. I feel that, as educators using technology and potentially social media, it’s our duty to model how to appropriately use these tools in a professional setting, and so the kids how not to go overboard!!
I thought these were GREAT videos for this discussion, well done!!

These videos really made me realize how silly social media can be with all of the “sharing” and “following” that goes on within its realm. Technology is slowly but surely ruining real-life communication, and making it more and more difficult to be normal communicators in society. I do think social media is a nice way to stay in touch with people and stay up to date on the lives of people you truly know; however, when it becomes a tool to simply meet, befriend, and spy on strangers, it can get pretty awkward.

After viewing these two videos I must say how funny it is to watch the things that we engage in on social media in this perspective. I believe that the author/creator of the videos is trying to provide us with an understanding of what it is that we engage in on social media looks during face to face interaction with others. The way we communicate in social media is not how we would interact in person. I believe that social media is a more convenient way of communicating. For an example the social media site linked in is a professional network for individuals to network and obtain resources and seek opportunities for professional advancement. Other social networks such as Facebook and twitter could be used as a way to effectively communicate if being used in that way.

These videos made me more aware that the way in which we communicate online is not realistic when we step away from the computer. I think that following, re-tweeting, friend requesting, and the other ways in which we communicate online allow people to hide behind the screen. Additionally, I think that the video shows how people may respond differently to social media connections than making connections in real life. For example, a person may not think twice about a new friend request, but may have a more concerned reaction if the same friend request approach took place in person. This video is a fantastic way to demonstrate to kids how even though they may be very familiar with social networking, they need to be aware of lines that could be crossed. In general, there is a distinct difference between how we approach online communication versus how we communicate in personal social situations. These videos show this through comedy, which I think will resonate well with the children. Overall, I enjoyed this video and believe that it will capture peoples’ attention while addressing realistic subject matter.

Both videos seem to point out the simple fact that our way of communicating in real life and on social media is different. Things that are said and done on online are always just a simplified and generalized portion of the whole. I checked in to that place, someone liked this, I am now friends with him, or here is a photo of my trip. In every sense, this level of communication reduces the actual experience down to a like, a hashtag, or a check in. The author in both videos makes fun of social media norms to show how awkward is it the things we do online. As shown in the first video, " I am now following you, is it creepy?". Ultimately, the first video shows that the lady, using the online social interactions, never actually made any real connection with another human being.

From the “Social Experiment” video, I couldn’t help but laugh because every sentence that came out of her mouth are things that happen or are said on social media every day and boy was it awkward! Walking up to someone and telling them you are going to follow them? Or yelling that you are checking in! That is exactly what our society does today (with myself included) on social media. We don’t however, and thank goodness, act that way in real life. So why do it on social media? Do we really need to know where our Facebook “friends” ate for lunch or know where they are at any given moment? Do we need to check in at the movie theater or museum every time we go? No, we don’t! I think the author/creator of this video is trying to bring to light the overuse of social media and obnoxiousness of it all.

As for the Jimmy Fallon/Justin Timberlake skit which is first of all hilarious, brings to mind the endless amount of hashtags people use on the internet and (crazily) in real life. It annoys me when people have ten lines of hashtags on their Instagram photo or even worse when people use them on Facebook! But now, teenagers are using hashtags in their verbal language as well. I think JF/JT are trying to show the world how hashtags in a conversation is weird (although funny). The creators of twitter might be laughing it up but hashtags, in my opinion, have no use there but especially being used in everyday conversations.

The author is obviously picking fun at the idea of social networking and how often obtrusive it can be into people’s personal lives. There are many instances in my social media platforms that an individual decides to follow me and I have no idea who they are. There are even instances where they look like the creepy guy you try to avoid at a gas station. The point is, should there be a line drawn at where social media should begin and end? With the internet being what it is, I feel like it will be hard to draw a line. One can not post a picture of yourself online without the fear that it will be online for the rest of your life. Anyone, anywhere in the world can access it. Now we have sites where you can tell people exactly where you are with a picture to accompany it (just in case you couldn’t find it). Social Networking is the nicer cousin of stalking, there just have not been any laws established yet.