1. + Break Social Media Dependency Through Individual Solvency Project #2, Part 2 Erica Bodden April 27,2014

2. + What’s the big deal?... “47% of American adults used social networking sites like Facebook, MySpace, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Classmates.com in 2011” Up from 26% in 2008 The influx of social media users has altered the way society communicates and operates daily

3. + So now what? Individuals must change their personal social media routines This presentation covers: The harms of compulsive social media use How this issue arose A plan of action How this plan will ease the harms The advantages of self regulating social media usage

4. + Excessive social media usage is harmful to individuals  Social media usage decreases face-to-face interactions  The Permanency of social media posts can be risky

5. + Harm 1: Social media usage decreases face-to-face interactions A Jan. 2012 Center for the Digital Future at the USC Annenberg School study found that 32% reported using social media or texting during meals (47% of 18-34 year olds) instead of talking with family and friends. 10% of people younger than 25 years old respond to social media and text messages during sex. Social media allows people to become someone they are not and lose touch of their true selves. According to an UK study on Anxiety, “Social networking can exacerbate feelings of disconnect and put children at higher risk for depression, low self-esteem, and eating disorders” (Anxiety UK, 2012). Evidently, people are more dependent on social media and it is affecting their relationships in real life.

6. + Harm 2: Permanency & Privacy Social media posts cannot be completely deleted/private 13 million users said they had not set or did not know about Facebook's privacy settings and 28% shared all or nearly all of their posts publicly. The Library of Congress has been archiving all public tweets from Twitter. According to the wall street journal, recruiters also use social media (mainly Facebook and twitter) to screen candidates on a daily basis and get a more “personal” view of them. Social media is regulated by the federal government: The federal government is seeking a firm that “continuously monitors social media content on a daily basis in near real time and (can) provide web-based, online media metrics and reporting capabilities.” (thestar.com) -- That includes combing through blogs, micro-blogs, social networking sites including Facebook and Twitter, forums and message boards, traditional news websites and comment sections.

7. + Causes: We are living in a technologically advanced society that is constantly advancing. Social media was created for people to stay connected to long time friends and to be able to make new ones. Unfortunately, it has become so popular that people now confuse their reality with their online life. Some people now seek validation and acceptance in society through something as simple as posting a picture. This problem will not go away on its own because it is up to society as a whole, to first personally make an effort to decrease social media usage and get out into the real world to make/maintain long lasting relationships.

8. + The Plan Agent: Individuals Mandates: Tech free days  People will make an effort to make face-to-face interactions or make personal phone calls, instead of resorting to chat rooms and text messages. Less time will be spent wasted online, and instead people will use their time more effectively. Enforcement: Society can not be forced to not utilize social media, so it is up to the people to advocate for a change. Timeline: As soon as possible

9. + Solvency Harm 1: Ironically, individuals can utilize these social media sites to spread the word about decreasing social media dependency. The message can go viral and hopefully show the younger generation the power of face-to-face interactions/communications. Harm 2: Inform social media users about their privacy settings and to be caution about what they post. This information is never truly deleted and is thus saved in an online “cloud” to be recalled if ever necessary.

10. + Advantages? People will be able to connect on a more personal level from socializing face to face! Social media is a great means for mass communication; thus if used properly, positive messages, such as decreasing social media usage, can reach society More time spent on real life situations Less time is wasted online; more productivity

11. + Give it a try! Put down the cell phone, turn off the computer, and live and little