​Technology is made for and by humans but we often fail to recognize the role that human agents play.

 

Social media plays a vital part in determining what is normative and valid; while it continually reflects and documents the beliefs and experiences of its users it also contains that of its creators. It's important to be mindful of the input and influence that other social media users, our equals, have on our overall experience but we also need to be cognisant of the input and influence of platform creators as their views and beliefs are reflected in the algorithms that structure our social media experience. 

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In order to consume media in a more mindful manner, we need to bring the idea of context to the forefront of our conversations on the matter. Exploring the environment in which social media platforms have been conceived enables us to be more critical of the narratives constructed and perpetuated by content that we interact with. By taking the initiative to explore these nuances, we expand our perception of new media in itself - how it's been used as a tool of mass control and how it can be re-constructed for the better - and begin working towards making social media more holistic and supportive by holding the aforementioned parties accountable for their actions. 

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You can find more resources on all things new media under the resources tab.