Memories Through Media
by: Chloe Reid
Media and Technology have always been an interest of mine. Growing up alongside the development of new technologies is so fascinating and I believe it has truly shaped my life in more ways than one.
I will never forget when I got my first phone. Growing up I did competitive dance, and I was at the studio for hours on end, so my parents gave me a razor flip phone for emergencies only. Looking back, it is crazy to think about how far my technology use has come. From only having two numbers in my phone to now having 234 phone numbers, apps, and so much more at my fingertips.
“Since media has had such a large role in my life it is has been important for me to consider how it affects other factors such as my social interaction, grades, work and more.”
Fast Forward to 6th grade and I finally convinced my parents to let me make an Instagram. Not only is it interesting to think about my how my use of media has changed over time but it is also interesting to see how the platforms themselves have changed. Instagram used to be so casual and now I feel as though there is an unspoken rule of what you can and cannot post.
My Experience with Media Platforms
I would say as of right now the platforms I use the most include Instagram, TikTok and mostly other social media apps. Another source of media I have gotten involved with are vloggers on YouTube, particularly beauty gurus such as Christine Dominique. In addition to vloggers I have recently started listening to podcasts such as “Call her Daddy”. Another aspect unique to media is that although you are using the same platform as someone your engagement and interaction with the app can be completely different.
Have you ever gotten tips on one platform about how to use another platform? Let me elaborate. Influencers on Tiktok do a great job of offering tips on how to make the most out of your social media use whether it’s through filters, edits, or hacks. This is actually how I found out about my most recent and favorite media engagement, Notion.
Notion is an app and website that allows you to create pages and a forum that is completely personalized to you while having it all be in one easily accessible location. I use Notion to keep my schoolwork as well as extra curriculars organized. It has quickly become my most used form of engagement.
Media Use Over the Years
As I have gotten older my use of media has become more holistic. Not only do I just use it for personal use, but I have also learned how to use it for school, and professional use. I went from only having an Instagram in 6th grade to now having an Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, VSCO, Canva you name it. I would say the use of media has slowly taken over the majority of my free time.
In high school I was very involved in our journalism staff and was the Head Editor of our publication. This position helped me learn more about journalism and how to use a variety of Adobe Softwares.
This trend has also carried on into my life in college. This year I was able to help my sorority with their social media posts about mental health awareness by using the platform Canva. One day I hope to have a career in the Journalism field or in the Public Relations field where I can expand upon these skills.
In addition to this, I have also had the opportunity to study this topic further through my Media, Culture and Technology class. This course really opened my eyes to the many different aspects of the media industries whether it is journalism, film or interactive media. Overall it helped me become more media literate as well as be more critical about the information I am viewing online, particularly with news posts.
Media & My Life
Since media has such a large role in my life it is has been important for me to consider how it affects other aspects such as my social interaction, grades, work and more. I feel as though media has greatly helped me in achieving my goals for school and work collectively. Using my writing for journalism has allowed me to find my creative outlet. I have never been a very artistic person but by finding my voice through journalism I have been able to express myself like never before. In addition to finding my potential career, platforms like Instagram have also helped me hold myself accountable for fitness goals through my fitness page and interaction with CHAARG.
I have had the opportunity to focus on the benefits of media but there are also some downsides to the use of certain forms of media. I do feel as though there is a stigma related to social media and the fear of missing out. As I had mentioned, there seems to be an unspoken rule of what you can and cannot post and I think this false sense of reality can be damaging if taken too seriously. Additionally, it can be argued that spending too much time on media is taking us away from being present. I truly believe that in moderation, advancements within this field will help better our lives in the future.
Sitting down to write this paper was a challenge for me because the use of media is so embedded in my everyday life. I found it difficult to take a step back and analyze what I gain from it, and how my interaction has changed over the years. My biggest take away from this assignment was how dependent my life can be on the use of media. With this in mind, let me ask you this, where would you be without the use of media in your everyday life?
