Social Media And The Millennials

I am twenty two years old and didn't start using social media until I was about 13 years old. I remember it like it was yesterday, I was so excited to be "cool." I sneakily made a bebo account knowing my parents would not approve of this myspace like social network.  Looking back on it now it was all...dumb. I would come home from school and rush to the computer to talk to my friends who I had just seen only 30 minutes ago. As more social media websites were created the more attached I was to my computer. In all reality it was quite antisocial, I was glued to a computer for at least 3 hours a night "talking" with friends, looking at pictures etc. By the time I was in the tenth grade I was informed by every adult I knew about the dangers of social media, how it could make me vulnerable to unsafe people and what I put on social media can haunt me forever. I was always pretty careful, I never disclosed my location or put anything inappropriate online. Before I would post something on social media I always did the mom and dad test. If I thought they wouldn't approve of what was being posted then I wouldn't post it.

When I was in the twelfth grade I noticed with the boom in technology such as smartphones and tablets, children (yes, children) had social media accounts. Every time would get on my Facebook page I would get a friend request from the children of family friends. Most of them were elementary students and a few middle schoolers. I wasn't taken aback by their age, I was taken aback by the manner in which they were using social media. They would post inappropriate and vulgar things and disclose their location. I've even seen cyber-bullying take place as well. I was especially shocked when my ten year old cousin added me on Facebook! I remember saying to parents "He's ten! Who does he need to keep in touch with?!" 

Our generation is known as Generation Y or the Millennials, because we were born between the years of the late 1980's and early 2000s. The kids that were born in the early 2000s are the one's who got involved in social media at a very young age. I believe this is due to the fact that they don't know what life is like without social media and technology. They are so attached to it, and in a sense anti-social. I worry if all of our social media and technology was taken away, would they know how to live? In addition to this I believe they are unaware of how to use social media correctly. If I could give the young millennials any advice it would be...

3. Don't post everything!- Potential employers and universities can see your social networking websites and if they find something that they don't like it could cost you a job or a college education. You can never go wrong with the mom and dad test! If they wouldn't approve don't post it. 

2. DO NOT POST YOUR LOCATION!-This is so so so important! No one needs to know where you are, it puts you and those around you in danger. 

3. What you say online can be misunderstood and taken out of context. It's kind of like a game of telephone you write something but people can completely misunderstand what you say. Always think twice before you post!

What other tips do you have for the young millennials? 

Until next time! 

Dahlia 

The Good Semaritan

The 2014 Sparc Festival with kicked off with keynote speaker Dr. Christina Rosen. She spoke about the affects that technology has had in our society. Technology has significantly changed the way we interact with people on a daily basis. There is no longer that personal intimacy that we had decades ago, we are too consumed by our phones, laptops and iPads that we are missing life around us. Dr. Rosen's facts were very alarming, people are more willing to record assaults than call for help. I find it so odd that people aren't willing to help other human beings when in need. I somewhat fear the future for my children, I don't want them to be disconnected and have no sense of intimacy with other human beings. Although I hated it when  my parents restricted the amount of tv and computer time I had, I believe it was very beneficial. I knew what life was before technology was booming and I want my children to know what that kind of life is like as well.

Do you think we rely on technology too much?

This is where we are heading in a few years...

Mount Moments

We've had quite the winter on the east coast and the sun is finally rearing it's head. The mount although beautiful in the winter time is a big pain in the rear! When I came to visit the Mount my senior year of high school it was a beautiful spring day. Mary was shining bright in the sunlight and campus was bustling with mount undergrads. I remember saying to myself "this is where I need to be" and I made my decision then, this is home. 

Today when I looked outside I saw this...

It reminded me of my decision just four years ago. 

Do I have to go? 

Dahlia 

Is this real life? The Chronicles of a senior

I have exactly 39 days until I graduate from college and I have no idea what I'm doing. This is every college grads worst nightmare and I'm surprisingly okay with it. Normally, I am the type of person who plans my entire life out even for habitual tasks like eating and sleeping. Maybe it's the lack of free time and lack of sleep but I'm okay with not knowing exactly where i'll be 6 months from now. It's not like i'm not making the attempt to apply to jobs and grad schools, I've done all theses tasks. Currently I am in the awkward waiting stage. I feel like a bait in water waiting for something or anything to bite. This is a lot of pressure! Why did my adolescent self want to grow up so quickly? Every time my friends and family see me they say "I can't believe how grown up you are!" or "Your not our little girl anymore." Then I respond with "Is this real life?" Mostly because I can't believe in just a few weeks I'll be leaving my home for the past four year into this kinda scary unknown. Wish me luck, with fingers and toes crossed ;)

To add some humor to my situation...

When people ask me if I've found a job yet...

Until next time...

Dahlia J. 

Who Am I?

Hello! My name is Dahlia and I am a senior at Mount St. Mary's  University studying Communications with a concentration in public relations. I was born and raised in the DMV area for most of my life excluding the two years I lived in the Caribbean because of my father's job. Now that you know all the technicalities, it's time your really get to know me.

1. I love Diet Coke...a lot
 

2. I'm a bit of a goofball

3. I like to sleep

4. Coffee = Life

5. I'm obsessed with my family

6. If it doesn't move, monogram it!

Hope you guys have an idea of who I am!