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Technological determinism in Baym’s, “Make New Media Make Sense”, tells us technology is a separate agent that changes society. In Lindgren’s Chapter 3, Lindgren extends the meaning by including that it employs this assumption of how technological advances will create social, cultural and political change (49). This ideology is basically a way to put all the responsibility on the media we use. For example you've probably heard, "phones are ruining childhoods" or "Instagram is promoting unrealistic beauty standards." It's kind of a cop out to not acknowledge human behavior but to blame it on technological advances. Technological Determinsim kind of argues that technology uses us because the features are so embedded in the way we interact. For example, SNS decreases our attention span because of the influx of pictures or words that are being shown on our feed. It's shifting the way we behave. 

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Social Constructivism is the ideology of how our relationship with technology is dependent on the human. The user is responsible for the interaction that occurs on the internet. The user is responsible for how they use their devices. All the man power is on the user and not the technology. Technology and the internet is just tools that WE USE. For example, parents are the ones giving children access to devices or paid influencers are the ones promoting perfection on Instagram instead of having a moral responsibility to make audiences aware of their constructed images.

Lindgren said it best, “One must realize that technologies are merely tools rather than agents, and that tools can always be used for both ‘good’ and ‘bad’ purposes” (49). I think we have to come to terms that as users, we are the agents. We are the ones using these phones, computers, tablets, social networks, and sites. We've shaped our culture around technology, and technology has shaped our culture. It's a two-way relationship in my opinion. Like phones may have replaced face to face conversations but also humans chose that option. Technology is supposed to make our lives easier, useful,  fun, and luxurious. It shouldn't control us. 

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There’s a mix of both cyberoptimist and cyberpessimist, and I would say my position is in between. From a user perspective, I do see how the internet is empowering. It allows groups of people to contact each other for social or political reasons. It’s a great space for different demographics to communicate their interests, dislikes or debate. The internet has become our source of news, entertainment, and livelihood because it makes things easier and convenient. We no longer have to physically move anywhere or go through procedures to do different actions. It's a constant simulation that keeps us busy and interactive. For me, I love media technologies for giving us access to information that I wouldn't have known otherwise. I'm able to research and look at pictures that inspire me everyday. It's a whole archive of things that I get to have access to for necessity but leisure. Like I'll be honest I rely heavily on my phone. It has all the applications I need to keep me going throughout the day. A camera, I got it. A timer, I got it. The weather, I got it. Very convenient. 

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But with every good, there’s a bad. Now we are vulnerable to privacy invasion, criminal activity, deception, and omission. Technology makes us vulnerable. We as users don’t know everything and I think we tend to forget that. We are using applications that are being given to us by corporations, so we don’t hold as much power as we think we do. For example, twitter maybe a place for your voice to be heard but I’ve also heard that Twitter doesn’t do much about hate speech and abuse. Facebook collects your data and sells it to third parties. Sites may track your activity and information without your consent or it was done sneakily through Terms of Agreement. These apps and technologies we enjoy so much can go against us. Like if you are on your phone 24/7, that's so unhealthy, not only physically but mentally. One should always give themselves a grace period but because our media technologies become a necessity, we are online all the time. 

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Even though I’m a participant on these social media platforms, I feel like I’m constantly being watched now. We’re entering an era where people are not just seeing all the fun and cool things about the internet/technology but also the downside. There are constant stories of online interactions that has led to murder or trafficking. Even though these issues stems from corrupt people,  the internet and technology has enabled them.

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I feel like it’s important for people to see the advantages and disadvantages to media and technology. One shouldn’t advocate just for one side. We can use the technology for our own good but also shape it in a way to avoid the bad. But it’s inevitable that they’re going to coexist. As a user, you should be smart about what you use, share, and say. 

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