Gitte Stald (2008) Mobile Identity: Youth, Identity, and Mobile Communication Media

Gitte Stald provided information about the role of mobile phones and the use of mobile communication by the youth of today.   Stald addressed the use of mobile communication and how it interacted with adolescent’s identity within their mobile networking system.  There were several concepts addressed in the chapter “Mobile Identity: Youth, Identity, and Mobile Communication Media,” that dealt with how mobile communication and the ability to be accessible/connected to their friends fulfilled the social needs of today’s youth.  However, there were also adverse affects addressed like the inability to not be online, or turn off their phones for fear that they may miss something important.  

Three concepts were introduced as having an adverse affect on the youth of today.  The three concepts were adolescents feeling socially obligated to be available to their network of friends at all times, fear of missing a call or message causing insecurity in their position in their social network, and the inability to be without their mobile communication.  All three of these concepts have manifested into some form of mental issue causing an adverse affect on today’s youth.

The first concept of mobile communication causing an adverse affect on today’s youth has to do with the burden of be available to their friends.  The social obligation felt by today’s youth has made them very dependant on one another and may result in a dysfunctional social system of a codependent nature.  This codependent issue then could manifest into a form of paranoia and fear of not being connected to their peers.

The second concept of mobile communication causing an adverse affect on the youth of today involves the fear of missing a call or message resulting in insecurity of their social status within the social network. The desire to “be in the know” becomes the driver to the desire to maintain their social status.  The concern of missing a call could manifest into the phone becoming a form of a “security blanket” for many adolescents.

The third concept of mobile communication causing an adverse affect on the youth of today was the inability to be without their mobile communication.  This so called “security blanket” concept could manifest into a identity crisis and has been stated that many adolescent can’t function without their mobile phones and has resulted in “phatic communication” fulfilling the desire to be connected at all times.

In conclusion, the three concepts of social obligation, insecurity of missing a call resulting in their lost social status and the inability to be without their phones, has caused an adverse affect on today’s adolescent and has manifested into some possible serious mental issues like paranoia, insecurity and a form of identity crisis if adolescents are not connected at all times.   It is important to teach the youth of today to maintain balance in their lives and as stated by Stald, “The ideal is to be in control of life in general, symbolized by the ambition to being able to control the use of the mobile phone.”(pg. 152).   More research needs be done on the mental issues surrounding mobile communication.

Adverse Affects of Mobile Communication on Adolescents    

Social Networking

Reflective Essay:  Why Youth Love Social Network Sites:  The Role of Networked Publics in Teenage Social Life – By Danah Boyd

Teenagers are fulfilling a need to hangout and socialize through social networks like MySpace and Facebook.  The needs addressed through social networks are driven by teens desire to negotiate public life as they become young adults.  These social networks have become the new place to hangout just like roller-skating rinks and malls used to be in the past.  Societal issues such as predators and stranger danger have resulted in the Nations teenagers searching for alternative hangouts that are located inside and safe.  Society, parents and teenagers have developed safety factors throughout history.

Safety in the social networking system meeting the social needs of today’s teenagers was developed by our Nation’s need to protect our youth throughout history.  Historically our society wanted to socialize teenagers but in a safe manner.  There were three phases in history that resulted in societal changes made to protect or occupy our Nations teenagers’ socialization time. 

The first phase of the socialization started through the work forces.  Many teenagers were required to work starting at the age of 14 to contribute and support their families’ finances.  The work force socialization placed young teens in the adult world where they learned how to become adults and contribute to society. 

The second phase of socialization started when the youth were taking jobs from the adults and our society felt there was a need for them to continue their education and to keep teenagers off the streets.  During this phase teens were only socializing with their peers through school and local hangouts i.e., skating rinks.   This phase narrowed the teenagers’ opportunity to interact with adults.   

The third phase of socialization or anti-socialization started when society wanted to keep their teenagers safe and maintain control of their associations with the public.  This phase was driven by fear of predators in society.  Therefore, all these phases were societies way of dealing with teenagers.  However, each phase became more and more restrictive all in the name of safety.  Historically societal changes and safety factors are why many teens now utilize social networking to gain outside perspectives on how to become an adult with very little adult interaction.  The need to explore and experience adult concepts in a safe environment has been met through social networks.

In conclusion, the desire to negotiate public life, as they become young adults through social networking has been driven by societal changes.   The needs to keep our teenagers safe throughout history has resulted in teens searching for alternative locations to hangout and socialize in a safe manner through social networking on MySpace and Facebook.  The safety of social networking has also caused many parents including myself to wonder, “How safe is it really?”  I guess time will tell.

Please visit the NBC News Report "Why parents must mind MySpace," 2006 by Rob Stafford, Correspondent. Safety and Concerns 

Tech Trek: Educational Technology

Tech Trek: Educational Technology: "Quote: 'Endeavor to Persevere'"