The
term 'new media' is widely used to define all that is related to the internet. There are a lot of underneath
issues after the existence of internet; such as the clarity which split between the “old” and
“new” media whereby the new media such as the internet has already exists more
than 40 year ago (which is no longer that NEW?). Besides, new media keep evolving and it is very unpredictable but one thing for sure, it will
never stop evolving.
In the twenty-first century, Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) has
become fluid; it is accessible at homes, schools, high-learning institution,
and even the public areas due. Thus, youth are categorizing as the most
frequently plugged in and online peoples due to the accessibility.
How
New Media Benefit Human
New media is one of the key elements in youth today’s
life. Young adolescents who grew up during the expansion of the internet and
from early childhood have been immersed in a media-rich environment, using
computers, playing online games, constantly communicating and connecting with their
friends by electronic devices. These youth create and use digital spaces for
social interaction, identity expression, and media production and consumption.
With the existence of new media, students nowadays are
capable of reaching information in a faster and easier way, whenever and wherever they
are. It is a bonus for them to get better coverage (media, websites, and news)
to help in their study. Moreover, the use of e-Learning in teaching and learning
process take education system to the whole new level whereby the student can
easily access the learning materials just at the end of the fingertips.
Besides, more time can be saved and the earth will be greener with less tree
cut down to make papers.
The new media such as smartphone plays an increasingly important
role in youth’s everyday lived existence as to define themselves. Believe or
not, Smartphone has a huge impact in construct they communication skills, and
lifestyles which help them to cope with life’s uncertainties. Smartphone is an
indispensable social bridge which Smartphone plays a part in facilitating and
managed youth social interaction with his or her family, peers or even the
employer.
On the other hand, the presence of smartphone among youth
nowadays not only as a gadget but at the same time can be their
identity. Smartphone or mobile phones in particularly are seen as a symbol of
one’s status. Beside
as a communication medium; smartphone can be actively used to express and assert
their personal identities.
Disadvantages of New Media Nowadays.
It is almost impossible not to see a teenager using
mobile phones or computers nowadays, not in Malaysia obviously. With the rising
of new information technology and new media, the culture and life styles of
youth are changing despite resistance from older generation. Youth adoption of
digital media production and social media are occurring in a unique historical
moment, tied to long-term and systematic changes in sociability and culture.
New media comprises of many terms adjoined to form a new type of perspective in
media literally thus help explain about the communication process that existed
in society today.
The
verbal communication between youth is deteriorating because of the rise usage
of new media as the major medium of communication nowadays. The new media such
as the extending application of smartphones including Whatsapp and Wechat,
social networking like Facebook, Twitter and Instagram and overused of Internet
applications led youth to spend more time in front of their smartphones or
tablets. This phenomenon however led to the deteriorating of ‘real’
communication between youth, which basically consists of face-to-face
communication.
In
today’s digital age one can go almost an entire day without actually
interacting with people. People rely heavily on the convenience of emails,
text messages, and social media. It is important to balance these online interactions with face-to-face
communication. One issue with digital forms of communication is that they tend
to be impersonal. Miscommunication is one of the major causes of inefficiency
and work-place conflicts. Many of these issues can be attributed digital
communications and the various ways they can be interpreted.
The
face-to-face communication is what make us human special. Communicating face-to-face sends a message before you say a
word. People will not only hear what you are saying, they will perceive the
greater meaning of your tone, voice inflection, emotion and body language. However, new media might have taken this form of communication away.
Besides that, there may be irresponsible individuals or
groups take advantage on the new media as a medium to spread they extremist
ideology worldwide to influence others. For instance, the extremist of Islamic
State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) militant. The ISIS militant is famous for the
brutality after cold-blooded slaughter. The
ISIS militant has been spotted using new media as a medium to recruit new
members for the militant. Moreover, the ISIS militant ideology seems to
infiltrate many countries and gain quite a number of followers including
Malaysia.
Anti-Terrorist
Division of Bukit Aman Special Branch have
arrested 11 ISIS members at the foothills of Hutan Lipur Gunung Nuang, Hulu Langat.
Dear readers, what is your
opinion on new media? Do the new media do more good than harm or vice versa? What is your expectations toward new media in the future?
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