I.

INTRODUCTION

Todays generation faces a different kind of technology which makes our lives easier and provides more comfort and convenience to our lives. This same technology gives us more exposure and a disclosure to almost all the secrets and knowledge that we still dont know. This generation or should I say this new era with the new improvements of technology gives every individual the ability to produce or show their own existence, showcase their own unique ideas. One of the achievements of having a rapid change in technology nowadays is New Media. But first lets define New Media. What is New Media? According to the PC Magazine the definition of New Media is The concept that new methods of communicating in the digital world allow smaller groups of people to congregate online and share, sell and swap goods and information. It also allows more people to have a voice in their community and in the world in general. So this means that almost all the people in our generation today are exposed to this New Media. But what are the benefits and dangers of this New Media? How can we protect ourselves from the threat of other people? How can we learn to use this New Media with responsibility? their own difference, and

II.

BODY

With New Media present and almost open to everyone, a person makes use of technology and introduce their own ideas. Internet provides them the tool to communicate or link them with other people without restrictions of time and space. Their purpose of doing this is to make money, socialize and meet other people, to introduce themselves or own existence, to show them ones goal or mission, to introduce their new and unique ideas and many more. They make use of Social Media such as Facebook, Multiply, Twitter, Blog, Plurk and other social networking sites to engage in social-related activities. They do this by creating a virtual identity for themselves and be recognized. They put pictures of themselves or sometimes pictures of their idols or logos or symbols of their group. They also put other information such as the individuals interest on

music, movies, hobbies, sport, idols, and much more. They are doing this to show other people what they want and what they are into to meet the same people with the same interests. There are also optional information like cell phone numbers, gender and email address. These are optional because it may cause discomfort to the individual and may cause or make a threat to the security of the individual. These kinds of situations can result to a change in our personalities. Change in personality is one of the effects of New Media. Our personality or identity is formed by the people that surround us. They are our significant others, our parents, brothers, sisters, classmates, colleagues and friends. All of these elements in our life help us build our sense of self. The influence of Social media shapes our concepts of who we are, what is important to us, and how we live our lives. ( Text, Discourse, and Ideology, Michael Foucault ). examples of how the mass media shapes the individual identity. Castells looks at modern social movements as diverse as militias in the United States, Japanese doomsday cults, Al Qaeda , and WTO protestors and shows how all of these movements were able to spread and attract followers, not because of the inherent message of the groups, but more importantly because of the message in the media and how it came to be accepted as a truth in the societies represented and thus aided in the formation of the identity of individuals through mass media outlets such as Rush Limbaugh, al-Jazeera, Indy Media, and even the nightly news. ( The Power of Identity, Manuel Castells ). These are proofs that Social Media really do have an effect on an individuals personality. These changes on our personality will soon become a part of a larger group composed of people who have the same personality as you do. Another thing is that people make use of this new media to make and introduce their group. What is a group? According to the www.dictionary.reference.com a group is a number of persons or things ranged or considered together as being related in some way. They make such groups to introduce to the people their goal and their mission. It is either for the benefit of the group or another individual. Such aggregations are powerful enough to change ones status or ones life by the use these Social Medias like Facebook. There are situations in Facebook that people gather a specified amount of likes to change the status or the faith of the individual mentioned in the proposal. These kinds of goals are for the good. But there are also groups that

aim for doing bad or posting scandalous messages. There are also groups who are progressive and aims for the change of the System of a certain country. They introduce their group to inform the public that there are people who are not satisfied with the present government. Their groups aim for the better change of the status of the people, better economy. Examples of the groups are Anakpawis, Bayan Muna, Kabataan, and Gabriela Partylist. Such groups voice out their issues not only in public but also with the use of social media. One important factor of groups is understanding. The leaders understanding of their followers will surely make their group stronger to achieve their common goal. The success of their leadership hinges on an ability to turn me and you into us and to define a social project that gives that sense of us-ness meaning and purpose (Haslam & Platow, 2001, p. 1471). These facts show that Social Medias have a very big impact not only to me but to everyone. The Era of New Media is the era of change and hope!

But, even though the present era is full of change and hope, we still need to deal and handle this new media with responsibility. Its good to have the new and improved technologies. It makes our lives more convenient and comfortable. But even though it does, we still forget the basic rules. People tend to abuse the freedom that were given to them and usually commit mistakes. The more technology that we have today, the more we need to love, the more that we need to respect to trust, to be of service, the more we need to to help others. ( Alfred Vargas ). We find ourselves in a position to set a standard for a professional, responsible, and ethical approach to new media. ( Why Social Media For George Zimmerman? , George Zimmerman ) We should respect and learn how to use Social Media the right and morally correct way. Because by using such technology may harm or offend other individual. Never post immoral pictures because you might offend people. Never post harmful or offensive words that may hurt other peoples feelings. Never use your online presence as a vehicle for crime. Never put provocative pictures online that will tempt the criminal minds to commit a crime against you.

GMA 7 a local network here in the Philippines advocates and teaches the idea of Think first before you click! Its a good advocacy especially in this kind of era. Today our law passers are studying on a law that will strengthen the punishment on the offenders. Thats why we need to be more careful on what we are posting on the net because the people that we offended might sue us for misusing the New Media. We should take it more seriously, we should be more responsible and be accountable on every action that we had done. On the other hand if we dont want to be a victim of social media crime. We should minimize the information that we will post on the net. The more simple your account is? The better! If possible never accept friends whom you dont know. Often change your passwords to prevent hackers from hacking into your account. Remember that its better safe than sorry. The basic rule of life still remains, Never do to others what you dont want them to do unto you. Respect others and others might respect you too. Respect technology and technology will do the same to you.

III.

CONCLUSION.

Many of our youth today lack self-control and they are also irresponsible. When they are using the internet they are abuse and misuse it. But its really good to know that there are people and organizations that advocate the good and responsible use of Social Media. I for one who is also aiming for the good use of social media will not do such immorality. Instead I will stand against the wrong doing and misuse of social media and become a role model to those who are misusing it. If possible I will start my own organization that is aiming for the good use of internet and social media. Being a citizen of the Philippines Im also responsible for the future of the Philippines. What is the future of the State if the youth nowadays are irresponsible and immoral? Better start the change now to have a better and brighter future for the Philippines!

IV.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

The more technology that we have today, the more we need to love, the more that we need to respect to trust, to be of service, the more we need to to help others. ( Alfred Vargas ).

We find ourselves in a position to set a standard for a professional, responsible, and ethical approach to new media. ( Why Social Media For George Zimmerman? , George Zimmerman )

The success of their leadership hinges on an ability to turn me and you into us and to define a social project that gives that sense of us-ness meaning and purpose (Haslam & Platow, 2001, p. 1471)

examples of how the mass media shapes the individual identity. Castells looks at modern social movements as diverse as militias in the United States, Japanese doomsday cults, Al Qaeda , and WTO protestors and shows how all of these movements were able to spread and attract followers, not because of the inherent message of the groups, but more importantly because of the message in the media and how it came to be accepted as a truth in the societies represented and thus aided in the formation of the identity of individuals through mass media outlets such as Rush Limbaugh, al-Jazeera, Indy Media, and even the nightly news. ( The Power of Identity, Manuel Castells ).

The influence of Social media shapes our concepts of who we are, what is important to us, and how we live our lives. ( Text, Discourse, and Ideology, Michael Foucault ).

The concept that new methods of communicating in the digital world allow smaller groups of people to congregate online and share, sell and swap goods and information. It also allows more people to have a voice in their community and in the world in general. (PC MAGAZINE) a number of persons or things ranged or considered together as being related in some way. (www.dictionary.reference.com) Sites : http://baruchnewmedia.com/wiki/New_Media_and_Privacy_Issues http://fuknus.chrisdamitio.com/the-damitio/assignments/how-mass-media-shapes-personalidentity/ http://networkconference.netstudies.org/2011/04/individual-identity-new-media-andadvocacy-groups-unraveling-the-intricate-love-triangle-that-got-obama-the-job/ http://www.pcmag.com/encyclopedia_term/0,2542,t=new+media&i=47936,00.asp http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/group