New Media


OVERVIEW:​Research and discuss the current dominant views regarding abuses associated with the “dark
side” of social networking sites

RATIONAL:​70% of adults in the U.S. use social media sites. That number continues to rise each year.
90% of brands use social media to increase brand awareness. Cyber warfare and catfishing are a thing.
Being able to navigate the challenges that social media sites create is essential to today’s society.

REQUIREMENTS:​ (all requirements must be followed exactly) ●300 minimum word count-total (body)
○Do not exceed 500 words
○See additional word count requirements below
●MLA/APA style
●Minimum 2 outside resources
○Works Cited page. To avoid plagiarism, no more than 20% of essay can be outside
resource. Cite all sources used and do not forget in-text citations.
●Submitted as a .pdf or .doc file

Writing Prompt:​ Select 1 of the 4 topics 1. Why do so many people post negative things on social networking sites, either about themselves
or about others, when the reality is that everything put up in cyberspace lives on forever and can
have real-world consequences?
2. If we all now have parallel digital identities that can be “created” not only by us but also by
others, what can we do to manage our cyber identities (or reputation) and protect our privacy?
3. Is the Internet destined to remain a “wild west” environment where anything goes and there are
no ethical or legal standards of behavior?
4. Are we now all compelled to maintain a cyber presence to advance our careers, whether or not we
wish to? Is social networking an unavoidable aspect of life in the 21st century?

Structure: follow word counts below
●(50 words max.) Introduce the topic
●(100 words min.) Using current research, identify and explain current dominant and/or
opposing views on your chosen topic.
○Use studies, quotes from political or scientific persons, and/or real-world examples that
illustrate the dominant views to further your discussion.
●(100 words min.) Evaluate and argue your views on the topic as it applies to society.
○Evaluate and discuss the impact the topic is having, or will have, on your personal life.
●(50 words max.) Conclusion.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: ​STUDENTS WILL BE ABLE TO….
●Summarize and interpret a body of research and opposing views.
●Develop ideas in a coherent, logical, and persuasive manner.
●Critically Analyze to source material as it applies to mass media.
●Further develop communication and writing skills