Digital Narratives & Literacy

    In his research, Marc Prensky introduces the concept of the "immigrant/native divide", which describes the difference between people born before the digital era (Digital Immigrants) and those born into it (Digital Natives). According to Prensky, this divide affects how students learn because Digital Natives think and process information differently. They are more comfortable with multitasking, navigating technology, and learning at a faster pace ("Digital Natives, Digital Immigrants", 2001). I personally fall into the category of a Digital Native. Growing up around technology has shaped my learning style: I prefer quick access to information, using visuals and interactive platforms rather than relying solely on traditional lectures or textbooks. As Rothwell and Waters emphasize, today's workplace communication increasingly requires adapting to digital environments, which reflects the ongoing shift described by Prensky (Rothwell & Waters, 2022). 

    On the other hand, Kirschner critiques Prensky's ideas by arguing that being a Digital Native does not automatically mean someone is digitally literate. Digital literacy involves more than simply using technology; it requires critical thinking, evaluating sources, managing digital identity, and communicating effectively online (Kirschner & De Bruyckere, 2017). Many young people can scroll through social media or play video games but still struggle to distinguish credible information from misinformation or behave professionally online. This point is important because, as Mazer discusses in relation to social media and communication, true competence in digital environments is not just familiarity, but strategic, thoughtful use of those tools (Mazer, 2019). Understanding this myth pushes educators to focus not just on using tech for engagement, but also on teaching deeper digital skills. 

What is Digital Literacy?

Works Cited: 

Mazer, J.P. (2019). Communication and social media: Understanding and managing communication challenges in a networked society. Oxford University Press

Prensky, M. (2012). From digital natives to digital wisdom: hopeful essays for 21st century learning. Corwin.

Kirschner, P. A., & De Bruyckere, P. (2017). The myths of the digital native and the multitasker. Teaching and Teacher Education, 67, 135–142.

Rothwell, J. D., & Waters, M. (2022). It’s all of our business: Communicating competently in the workplace. Oxford University Press.

Interpersonal Relationships

 This week, when learning about interpersonal relationships through Knapp's model, I began to ask "How am I apart from other people?". This moment came specifically during the "Differentiating stage of the model, and reminded me of a close friendship that started my freshman year of college. At first, we shared EVERYTHING. Classes, hobbies, and weekend plans. As we moved through our different majors and personal priorities, the growing differences between us became hard to ignore. The influence of online communication made it seemingly more complicated. 

We went from texting constantly and tagging each other in instagram posts to barely replying to each other's messages. What was once light-hearted and daily began feeling forced. We each curated different online identities. She leaned into art and animals, while I kept things light and centered around sports and music. These differences seemed to create space for misunderstandings and silence, instead of strengthening our bond through diversity. 

Networked communication allows individuals to perform multiple versions of themselves depending on the platform and audience. This flexibility can be empowering, but also disorienting when trying to maintain consistent interpersonal identities (McEwan, 2015). In our case, digital spaces exaggerated our differences by making them feel more permanent than they might've seemed in person. 

Looking back, I realize we weren't necessarily incompatible, but the constant visibility and performance of our evolving selves online accelerated our movement through the Differentiating stage. We started seeing each other as individuals, instead of a "we". That realization didn't necessarily have to be negative, but without open communication, it created distance that we didn't know how to cross. 

Creating Bonds: Knapp's Relationship Development Model

McEwan, B. (2015). Navigating new media networks: Understanding and managing communication challenges in a networked society. Lexington Books. 

Oversharing Online

Over the years, I've noticed that different social networks affect people in different ways. Instagram almost feels like a highlight reel- people post their best moments, their most flattering pictures, or most exciting experiences. Sure, this can be inspiring, but it can also make someone feel as though they aren't doing enough with their own life. In contrast, Facebook seems more casual. You can see anything from job updates to random memes and event invites, feeling more like a digital scrapbook. This can be both comforting and overwhelming, depending on the person and day. Adler and Proctor (2023) state, "Without nonverbal cues, online communicators can create idealized-and sometimes unrealistic- images of one another." (p. 46). I think this resonated with me because it is something I feel many of us have experienced, even if we didn't realize it at the time. Communication online, whether it be through a post or a DM, takes away the opportunity to take in someone's body language, tone of voice, and facial expressions. Without these cues, it's easier for us to fill in the blanks with what we want the other person to be. 

The impact of Facebook, and social networking sites in general, on user's mental health varies widely depending on a few factors. This includes the type of engagement. Pearson et al. (2021) distinguish between passive and active interpersonal communication. Passive behaviors, such as what has been coined "doom scrolling", or scrolling endlessly without interaction, often increase the chances of social comparison. This leads to lower self esteem and even depressive symptoms. On the other hand, active engagement, including messaging friends and commenting on posts, fosters interpersonal connections. These contribute to a sense of belonging and emotional support. 

Ultimately, how users experience social networks depends on how they use it and how the platform itself either facilitates or hinders healthy interaction. When used actively and mindfully, it promotes connection and self-worth, but when driven by comparison and passive scrolling, it will have the opposite effect. 

Some interesting videos I found discussing this week's topics: 

More Than Memes: Social Media to Cope with Mental Health | Jadell Browne

How Social Media Shapes Identity | Ulrike Schultze | TEDxSMU

Adler, Ronald B., and Russell F. Proctor II. Interplay: The Process of Interpersonal Communication. 16th ed., Oxford University Press, 2023.

Pearson, Judy C., et al. Human Communication. 7th ed., McGraw-Hill Education, 2021.

About Me!

Hey y'all! My name is Ginger and I'm majoring in Kinesiology. I'm originally from the Seattle area, but am currently living in Corvallis. I've taken an interpersonal communications class in the past and I really enjoyed it. For online communication, I primarily use Instagram and iMessage, mainly because they are the easiest ways for me to stay in contact with those closest to me. A fun fact about me is that I have a self portrait tattooed on the back of my right arm. I also love going to hockey games, concerts, and hanging out with my dogs! My favorite hockey team is the  Seattle Kraken, and in regards to music, I'm big into Djo right now!

Djo's Latest Album "The Crux"