Charlotte Pence :
"A Generation Transfixed on Appearance: Where Print and Digital Media Come In"

Abstract: In this project, I delve into the mind of the current youth's mindset. With a generation so transfixed on appearance, I seek to find where this fascination comes from, psychologically, and what role print and digital media may play in it. I argue that, when given a choice, the current generation will choose something that will alter their appearance to others. By researching the uses of digital media in education and the difference in men and women's reaction to social media, I argue that the shift from print to digital, and perhaps somewhat back to print again, is all psychological.

     In today’s society, there is a harsh debate over whether or not digital media produces the same effect and best educational experience as printed media. Many news outlets and newspapers have begun to sporadically decline and go out of business. This shows how the media form is switching from the traditional printed newspaper source to the online source through devices such as IPads, laptops and cellphones. The answer to this switch from traditional to technological may be simple. However, it may lie in a more philosophical context as well. The current generation of youth seems to have a much keener sense of what others are thinking of them and how they appear to others. The reason for this also may point to a more technologically driven source in the social media networks that have arisen during this generation’s youth. In order to truly understand where the preference between print or digital media lies, it is necessary to investigate to what it is that the teenage mind, and mind of the current generation, pays attention. Whether this is simply a generational gap as new technologies arise, or it is the age of adolescence in general that worries what others think, must be explored. Today’s generation chooses print or digital media based on the desire to appear a certain way, formulating their appearance as they do in other aspects of life as well, including social media.

     If this is a generational gap, then it must have started at some point within all of our generations. If it is not a generational gap specific to our generation, then it must have had some start in time. In order to locate this time, it is important to decide when this started and where it has gone to in essence with the tasks of our generation to feel special or appear special. The importance of appearance has been placed more heavily on our current generation, considering the emphasis on social media and the need to appear to be having fun, instead of actually having fun. The psychological effects of social media have changed the way that the mass public views themselves. After a 2009 study published in the journal Cyberpsychology, Behavior and Social Networking, was conducted, it was seen that students that were able to update their Facebook profiles had a higher self-esteem (according to a questionnaire using the Rosenberg Self-Esteem scale) than students who were given a mirror instead of a computer with Facebook. (2) This may suggest, at first, that Facebook increases self-esteem. However, it seems that it is more the use of updating oneself and convincing oneself that others see them in a better light, that actually increases the self-esteem of individuals. This directly relates to the use of print or digital literacy. If a person believes that they can control the light with which others see them, then their self-esteem will increase, but in a less concrete and more fleeting way. The Internet, complete with social media sites, is a sure way in which consumers of the Internet can share their ideas and thoughts. As newspapers transition to online media, people are able to share their ideas and findings on news sources with others; therefore, propelling themselves in a way with which they wish to be seen.

     While the younger generation uses social media and digital media more than print, it is not always as a means to being seen a certain way. Sometimes, this is a social tool for this generation, yet sometimes it is an educational one as well. As the transition from print to digital media becomes an issue within schooling and educational methods, new forms of teaching digital literacy are being introduced as well. Many lessons are being taught that attempt to steer education towards digital literacy, in an attempt to help students understand how to perform to their utmost ability even in a, sometimes more challenging, digital world. In a recent article by David Truss, an examination is made into the study of the use of infographics in order to help students visualize information. (3) With the constant use of social media, people are given the opportunity to constantly share information visually. This can also be a tool for education, yet its effect on how people view themselves may be more damaging than its educational purposes may be worth. Since the teenage generation is now more inclined to change their appearance, this can also be done through the sharing of information. Therefore, if they feel that they can do this simply through changing some words and pictures on a screen, then they will most certainly take the opportunity to be able to share their thoughts via the Internet on a digital literacy venue.

            While the increase in use of social media may be new, the desire to be seen as successful and well liked has been a common human emotion for years. Only now, the world is beginning to see patterns and effects of this human need directly relate to the preference in said medias and usage of new technology. These patterns and emotional desires have also been compared between men and women. This shift from print to digital media may have been ready to happen for some time, with all of the human emotions being set up against social media outlets such as Facebook, and other avenues from civilizations past that may have been overlooked before. As other generations have before this one, many societies tend to put an emphasis on gender stereotypes between men and women. In order to examine whether or not these stereotypes are increasing or changing today, it is essential to look at studies highlighting their differences. By looking at the obvious differences between men and women in relation to their views of themselves, an understanding can be met as to why men and women change their preferences, if they indeed do.

Men and women have been found to have some differing views on social media sites and whether or not printed news should be used over digital sources for news. When it comes to social media, the effect seems to be different between genders and their self-esteem. The University of Gothenburg in Sweden surveyed men and women in order to see if there was a difference in levels of self-esteem between genders using Facebook. The study found that “women who used Facebook were apt to feel less happy and content with their lives.” (2) In accordance with this, women were more likely to share specific details of their lives, while men used Facebook to attack and teasingly ridicule others, thus adding to their own personal self-esteem. It should be remembered, as well, that men and women have different ways in which self-esteem is approached and gained. Studies such as this show insight into how different people like to be perceived, and how important their self-image is to them. Along with this insight, comes the idea of the difference between genders and the preference of each to either print or digital forms of media. A recent marketing chart shows that men do, in fact, prefer digital forms of media to print. (1, Image 2) This shows the difference in genders and the specific ways in which they see themselves. Conclusions can be drawn from this specific information, including the idea that since men may care less about their image and self-esteem, they therefore, do not care as much about the image of reading a newspaper to the simple access of information via the Internet.

When asked about his preference to print or digital media, fellow undergraduate student, Erik Summerville, states that he doesn’t have a specific preference. However, when left to reflect on the specific choice of each, he says that, “I like the idea of reading a newspaper better.” The transition from print to digital media shows a choice. This choice provides a way in which people can decide how they appear to others. The idea that this is specific to our generation is very interesting, as social media has never been a factor in the lives of youth beforehand. However, the idea of wanting to appear to be having fun and enjoying oneself has been around for years and will be for years to come. This desire is a common human emotion, rooted in the idea of self-image and self-esteem. When left to decide how others will see them, human behavior is specifically interesting and always seeks to appear more exciting.

1. "Men More Likely to Ditch Traditional Media for Digital." MarketingCharts. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 Apr. 2013.
2. Suval, Lauren. "Facebook, Happiness and Self-Esteem | World of Psychology." Psych Central.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 Apr. 2013.
3. Truss, David. "How Do You Teach Digital Literacy?" EdTech Magazine. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 Apr. 2013.