Unhealthy+Communication+-+Generation+Y

**//Student number: 8329940//** **//Tutor: Judith Meiklejohn//**
 * //Name: Rhys Doble//**

**Unhealthy Communication - Generation** **Y: How Healthy is Gen Y?**

Topic: The impact of information and communication technology on Gen Y. How have they been affected? In what ways does this make their experience of the social world different to that of Gen X? Has this affected their health?

Artefact: media type="youtube" key="Gknk4G1Bh9g" height="345" width="615" align="center"

//'Facebook addicts (funny documentary)//' (Fors, 2011) In this video, 'careface' - a fictional facebook addiction treatment centre - and its patients are presented in a satirical, mock documentary style. Much like rehabilitation centres for addictions to gamb ling, drugs or alcohol, the treatment centre aims to break the hold that addiction has over the lives of its patients. The audience is shown the severity of facebook addiction in the world of careface, facebook's serious psychological and withdrawal effects for addicts, t he sombre tales of patients' first experience of facebook, the way that the centre is run, and the potential to enjoy life without facebook once addiction has been broken.

Public Health Issue: This artefact represents the health issues that arise from overuse and addiction of facebook - and more broadly, communication technology. While the effects and seriousness of facebook addiction have purposely been overemphasized and dramatised for comical effect, the video is based on fact - some people use communication technology too much, and it obviously has an effect on their mental and psychological welbeing. The following essay will explore the effects of common communication technology used today and the effects that addiction has on addicted individuals and those who overuse them.

Literature Review: The use of computers, phones, and social networking sites are extremely high amongst Generation Y students. A survey of 7,705 U.S. students conducted by Junco and Mastrodicasa (2007) revealed that 97% of students at the time owned a computer, 94% owned a cell phone or smart-phone, 75% have a facebook account, 76% used Instant Messaging, and 15% were logged on 24/7. This shows a great reliance on technology that has been unavailable to previous generations for socialising and connecting.

Mobile phones facilitate communication, transmission of information between persons, and, more recently, access to the Internet. The Internet is often a positive tool: it provides users with information, an avenue for communication, and more. Heo, Kim, and Won (2011) found in their study that older adults experience psychosocial, educational, and recreational benefits from Internet use. Results from a study conducted by Chen and Fu (2009) suggest that if students use the Interent to search for information, the Internet would affect their marks positively. Both mobile phones and the Internet can be a positive tool - when used correctly. When used incorrectly, mobile phone and Internet usage has the potential to cause many problems.

Perhaps the most topical potential health outcome related to phone usage is cancer. Media often quote studies - like those composed by Lahkola, et al. (2007) and Hardell, Carlberg, Söderqvist, Mild and Morgan (2007) - which suggest that cancer may precipitate from phone use (Elvers, Jandrig, Grummich, & Tannert, 2009). Elvers et al. (2009), who reviewed scientific reports and proof and how the media presented them, found that a majority of scientific works actually indicated no carcinogenic effect from mobile phones. They determined that, due to conflicting results and research, evidence is inconclusive and insufficient. In psychological terms of health, Thomée, Härenstam, and Hagberg (2011) link mobile phone usage to symptoms of depression, stress and sleep disturbances. Results from their prospective cohort study following 4,156 20-24 year olds showed prevalences of sleep disturbances and depression symptoms increased with greater mobile usage. Overuse of mobile phones had associations to stress and sleep disturbances for women. High accessibility stress – which is the stress connected with being highly available or reachable – was associated with stress, sleep disturbances and symptoms of depression for both genders.

Health consequences related to the Internet are particularly noticed with overuse of, and addiction to the Internet. Studies have shown that addiction to the Internet precipitates psychological, social, mental and emotional problems. Results of the questionnaire study conducted by Kim et al. (2006) reveals a correlattion between Internet addiction and higher risks of depression and severer suicidal ideation than in nonaddicts. Freeman (2008) concluded that Internet addiction often leads to the neglect of other aspects of life, such as relationships, responsibilities, personal health and hygiene. The results of cross-sectional, self-rating study by Seo, Kang and Yom (2009), shows that Internet addiction is positively linked to psychosocial and interpersonal problems – including interpersonal sensitivity, nonassertiveness, criticism, distrust and irritability. Kim, et al. (2010), who looked at the lifestyle and dietary behaviours of youths found that Internet addicts have a high frequency of: irregular bedtimes, sleep disturbances, skipping dinner, frequent snacking and poor diet quality. The health consequences, which are many, include mental, emotional and interpersonal problems. Poor lifestyle and dietary habits are commonly formed in Internet addicts and this creates further health problems. As adolescence is a time for physiological and mental growth and because habits made in this time may continue throughout life, the impacts of addiction on Generation Y may be subtle yet far-reaching and detrimental (Kim, et. al., 2010).

A further significantly disturbing consequence of the Internet remains. As discussed by Williams (2011), there is a body of research linking the media to cluster suicides –essentially where one suicide inspires others. For example, Marilyn Monroe’s death, which was heavily covered in the media, preceded a brief 12 per cent increase in the United States suicide rate (Williams, 2011). Evidence is now suggesting that social networking sites may also have a similar cluster suicide effect on youths. The county Borough of Bridgend, Wales, suffered the suicides of 24 young people committing suicide between February 2007 and August 2008 (Williams, 2011). Subsequently, the suicide rate in Bridgend males was around 44 per 100,000 while Wales as a whole had a rate of 19 per 100,000 (Williams, 2011). Many who killed themselves in Bridgend spent long periods of time on social network sites discussing suicide. A 15 per cent increase in suicides between 2008 and 2009 has been accredited to group suicides arranged on internet chat rooms (Williams, 2011). Social networking sites appear to be an effective avenue where adolescents are able to ‘infect’ one another with suicidal ideas.

The majority of the sources that have been collected are cross-sectional questionnaire studies. Self-rating studies are limited by their reliance on honesty; dishonesty and exaggeration may distort figures and consequent ‘facts’ - these studies are subjective. Cross-sectional studies do not follow the progression of study subjects but reveal a 'snapshot' of the community and their situations. A helpful quality of cross-sectional studies is that many relationships between groups - whether they be based on race, age, gender or geographical locations - and particular health problems are able to be discovered through their results. Prospective studies build on this and follow subjects over a period of time. This allows trends to be observed and can help to reveal cause-effect relationships. A couple of sources used included analyses of current research. These are particularly useful and necessary in verifying the validity of studies. They may reveal that more research is needed, show that certain studies are anomalous and more. Each journal article is peer-reviewed and trustworthy.

Cultural and Social Analysis: As Baudrillard suggests in his hyperreality assertions, people seek what stimuli that is simulated and no other type. Hyperreality is also known as reality by proxy. People seek representations, symbols, or proxys. For example, the iconic //Superman// 'S' in reality means nothing, but to a reader or audience member of the famous comics or movies, the 'S' is a proxy for Superman, his unrivaled strength and so on. In the same way, facebook and phones mean friends and communication. There is decreasing attention and time being paid to offline communities and more time and attention being put towards online communities (Wellman et al., 2006). Perhaps social networking systems, the Internet and mobile phones are the proxy - or becoming the proxy - of 'real' communities and, because, as Baudrillard asserted, people only seek simulated stimuli, online communities have high and growing importance in today's society. Just as Superman's S means the same thing as Superman himself, online and offline communities hold similar meaning to users; social norms are formed, members feel as if they belong, that they matter to other members and that the members’ needs will be met through their connections in the group (Reich, 2010).

<span style="font-family: 'Arial Black',Gadget,sans-serif;">Adolescents and young adults are most at risk of becoming addicted to the Internet; by age they have the highest percentage of usage (Figure 1), they stereotypically have more time not spent working and when ownage of mobile phones and facebook accounts are so high - as in the literature review - peer pressure is bound to have an effect on this group.

<span style="font-family: 'Arial Black',Gadget,sans-serif;">Awareness of this issue is important for prevention of adverse health effects. The overuse and addiction of social communication technology - as discussed in the literature review - has severe consequences and is to be avoided. Internet (and related) addiction - since its first utterance (Fedderwisch, 1997) - has often been considered a comical notion and yet it is an actual problem. Talking about Internet addiction may help the general public understand that this is a issue and addicts may be able to have an understanding about their condition. From a political perspective, the economic burden caused by the health problems associated with addiction or overuse of social technology - and by the time spent using such technology as opposed to working - would be nothing less than significant. Public health experts should focus attention on awareness and treatment of communication technology addiction.

<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">Artefact Analysis and Learning Reflection: <span style="font-family: 'Arial Black',Gadget,sans-serif;">While the video is comedic and technically about 'facebook addiction' and a fictional treatment centre, the video quite effectively represents Internet addiction and society's response to it. In the video, it is clear, firstly, that the facebook addicts are experiencing health consequences as a result of their addiction - as evident through the exaggeration of the first experience conversation and withdrawal effects - and, secondly, that their conditions aren't being taken seriously - evident through the dialogue ("You're really desperate.") and the overstressing of the symptoms, etc. Similarly, it is obvious - as the literature review stresses - that Internet addiction has adverse health effects. Due to a lack of a proper understanding of Internet addiction, society - as a whole - may not fully appreciate the condition or take it seriously.

<span style="font-family: 'Arial Black',Gadget,sans-serif;">The assignment has been eye-opening to see just how extensive the results, problems and effects of overuse and addiction to social communication technology actually are. I think that in the past I have treated such addictions cynically, skeptically and without a proper knowledge of its significance. Having now researched the issue, I will be more understanding of the condition and those with it.

<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">References: <span style="font-family: 'Arial Black',Gadget,sans-serif;">Chen, S., & Fu, Y. (2009). Internet use and academic achievement: gender differences in early adolescence. //Adolescence,// 44 (176), 797-812. Available: [|http://web.ebscohost.com.ezp01.library.qut.edu.au/ehost/detail?sid=015f5e9a-1205-43b2-956d-0b9e0620f0ea%40sessionmgr114&vid=2&hid=126&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZQ%3d%3d#db=afh&AN=47715864] <span style="font-family: 'Arial Black',Gadget,sans-serif;">Elvers, H., Jandrig, B., Grummich, K., & Tannert, C. (2009). Mobile phones and health: media coverage study of German newspapers on possible adverse health effects of mobile phone use. //Health, Risk & Society, 11//(2), 165-179. doi: 10.1080/13698570902784273 <span style="font-family: 'Arial Black',Gadget,sans-serif;">Fedderwisch, A. (1997). Internet addiction? Retrieved from [] <span style="font-family: 'Arial Black',Gadget,sans-serif;">Fors, E. E. (2011, May 15). Facebook Addicts (Funny Documentary) [Video file]. Retrieved from <span style="font-family: 'Arial Black',Gadget,sans-serif;">[] <span style="font-family: 'Arial Black',Gadget,sans-serif;">Freeman, C., B. (2008). Internet gaming addiction. Journal for Nurse Practitioners, 4 (1), 42-47. Retrieved from [] <span style="font-family: 'Arial Black',Gadget,sans-serif;">Hardell, L., Carlberg, M., Söderqvist, F., Mild, K. H., & Morgan, L. L. (2007). Long-term use of cellular phones and brain tumours: increased risk associated with use for ≥10 years. //Occup Environ Med: 64//, 626-632. doi:10.1136/oem.2006.029751 <span style="font-family: 'Arial Black',Gadget,sans-serif;">Heo, J., Kim, J., & Won, Y. Exploring the relationship between Internet use and leisure satisfaction among older adults. //Activities, Adaptation & Aging,// 35 (1), 43-54. doi: 10.1080/01924788.2010.545975 <span style="font-family: 'Arial Black',Gadget,sans-serif;">Junco, R., & Mastrodicasa, J. (2007). Connecting to the net.generation: what higher education professionals need to know about today’s students. Washington, DC: National Association of Student Personnel Administrators. <span style="font-family: 'Arial Black',Gadget,sans-serif;">Kim, K., Ryu, E., Chon, M., Yeun, E., Choi, S., Seo, J., & Nam, B. (2006). Internet addiction in Korean adolescents and its relation to depression and suicidal ideation: a questionnaire survey. International Journal of Nursing Studies, 43 (2), 185-192. doi: 10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2005.02.005 <span style="font-family: 'Arial Black',Gadget,sans-serif;">Kim, Y., Park, J. Y., Kim, S. B., Jung, I., Lim, Y. S., & Kim, J. (2010). The effects of Internet addiction on the lifestyle and dietary behavior of Korean adolescents. Nutrition Research and Practice, 4 (1), 51-57. doi: 10.4162/nrp.2010.4.1.51 <span style="font-family: 'Arial Black',Gadget,sans-serif;">Lahoka, A., Auvinen, A., Raitanen, J., Schoemaker, M. J., Christensen, H. C., Feychting, M., … Salminen, T. (2007). Mobile phone use and risk of glioma in 5 North European countries. //Int. J. Cancer: 120//(8), 1769-1775. doi:10.1002/ijc.22503 <span style="font-family: 'Arial Black',Gadget,sans-serif;">Reich, S. M. (2010). Adolescents’ sense of community on myspace and facebook: a mixed-methods approach. //Journal of Community Psychology, 38//(6), 688-705. doi: 10.1002/jcop.20389 <span style="font-family: 'Arial Black',Gadget,sans-serif;">Seo, M., Kang, G., & Yom, Y. (2009). Internet addiction and interpersonal problems in Korean adolescents. Computers, Informatics, Nursing, 27 (4), 226-233. doi: 10.1097/NCN.0b013e3181a91b3f <span style="font-family: 'Arial Black',Gadget,sans-serif;">Thomée, S., Härenstam, A., & Hagberg, M. (2011). Mobile phone use and stress, sleep disturbances, and symptoms of depression among young adults – a prospective cohort study. //BMC Public Health, 11//(1), 66. doi: 10.1186/1471-2458-11-66 <span style="font-family: 'Arial Black',Gadget,sans-serif;">United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE). (2011). //Percentage of population using computer by sex, age, country and year// [Data file]. Available from <span style="font-family: 'Arial Black',Gadget,sans-serif;">[] <span style="font-family: 'Arial Black',Gadget,sans-serif;">Wellman, B., Quan-Haase, A., Boase, J., Chen, W., Hampton, K., Díaz, I., & Miyata, K. (2006). The social affordances of the Internet for networked individualism. //Journal of Computer-Mediated Communication, 8//(3), 0. doi: 10.1111/j.1083-6101.2003.tb00216x <span style="font-family: 'Arial Black',Gadget,sans-serif;">Williams, J. (2011). The effect on young people of suicide reports in the media. //Mental Health Practice 14//(8), 34-36. Retrieved from [|http://web.ebscohost.com.ezp01.library.qut.edu.au/ehost/detail?sid=17934457-6463-4307-808c-f88a01cbb315%40sessionmgr113&vid=3&hid=125&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZQ%3d%3d#db=afh&AN=60504063]

<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">Learning Engagement and Reflection Task RESPONSE 1 Wiki: Generation Y - Are we clicking our lives away? Link: http://healthculturesociety.wikispaces.com/+Generation+Y+-+Are+we+clicking+our+lives+away%3F Post:

Great work! <span style="font-family: 'Arial Black',Gadget,sans-serif;"> I found that you really successfully highlighted how the media affects people's mental health and identity and how the media, cyber-bullying, etc. interact with self image and depression. The research that I found said similar things regarding depression and self-image Your argument had lots of consistency in arguing that, while social networking sites have some value in developing relationships, they can't replace the importance of friendships and socialising in person. I think it would be interesting if the reasons for Internet addiction were to be researched. This would provide useful grounding for any addiction-prevention strategies.

RESPONSE 2 Wiki: Gen Y and Technology Link: <span style="font-family: 'Arial Black',Gadget,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">http://healthculturesociety.wikispaces.com/Gen+Y+and+Technology Post:

This was a great, easy-to-read and well-structured essay! Your artefact was a great find - it really does [over]emphasise where society's obsession with technology has us headed - not only with technology-focussed values, but also poor social health. Your literature review touched on many important health problems stemming from technology use: addiction, social problems, depression and obesity. It's a scary thought that technology could have such an effect on us! Internet addiction has many health problems associated with it - even more so for adolescents and young adults(at this time - Generation Y), as Internet addiction will interfere with mental and physiological growth (Kim et al., 2010).