Question
Anti-Social Networks? We're Just As Cliquey Online
Laura Sydell
2011
According to a study by Edison Research, 25 percent of Twitter’s users are African-American. African-American teens and young adults are using cell phones to communicate with friends, says Craig Watkins, a communications professor at the University of Texas. Cell phones serve as the main entryway to the Internet for teens in low-income families without home computers or broadband.
“That mobile device becomes a... reliable way to do the kinds of things that they want to do online,” Watkins says, whether that’s watching videos, updating Facebook or using Twitter.
But while many Facebook interactions remain private — visible only to friends and friends of friends — Twitter conversations are much more public. “It becomes about listening,” Gaunt says, “‘Oh my God, I can listen in to what black people are talking about.’”
Gaunt, who is African-American, says having conversations about race on Twitter has been a freeing experience. People feel they can be honest, she says.
“You can really have a conversation and not worry about getting punched in the nose,” Gaunt says. “There’s debate, there’s engagement, there’s learning.” Some of the friendships Gaunt has forged on Twitter have even spilled over into the “real” world. “I’m meeting strangers,” she says — two in the last two weeks, in fact. “I met them and I felt like, ‘This is my tribe.’”
Though Gaunt is using social networking tools to reach out to people she wouldn’t normally meet, she may be the exception to the rule. Many other users interacting online are content to stay within the confines of their familiar social networks — which may not look so different from their real-world social networks.
How does the internet facilitate conversations about race?
It protects people from criticism.
It allows these conversations to take place privately.
It allows people to be honest on a public stage.
It connects people who have different interests.
Laura Sydell
2011
According to a study by Edison Research, 25 percent of Twitter’s users are African-American. African-American teens and young adults are using cell phones to communicate with friends, says Craig Watkins, a communications professor at the University of Texas. Cell phones serve as the main entryway to the Internet for teens in low-income families without home computers or broadband.
“That mobile device becomes a... reliable way to do the kinds of things that they want to do online,” Watkins says, whether that’s watching videos, updating Facebook or using Twitter.
But while many Facebook interactions remain private — visible only to friends and friends of friends — Twitter conversations are much more public. “It becomes about listening,” Gaunt says, “‘Oh my God, I can listen in to what black people are talking about.’”
Gaunt, who is African-American, says having conversations about race on Twitter has been a freeing experience. People feel they can be honest, she says.
“You can really have a conversation and not worry about getting punched in the nose,” Gaunt says. “There’s debate, there’s engagement, there’s learning.” Some of the friendships Gaunt has forged on Twitter have even spilled over into the “real” world. “I’m meeting strangers,” she says — two in the last two weeks, in fact. “I met them and I felt like, ‘This is my tribe.’”
Though Gaunt is using social networking tools to reach out to people she wouldn’t normally meet, she may be the exception to the rule. Many other users interacting online are content to stay within the confines of their familiar social networks — which may not look so different from their real-world social networks.
How does the internet facilitate conversations about race?
It protects people from criticism.
It allows these conversations to take place privately.
It allows people to be honest on a public stage.
It connects people who have different interests.
Answers
Answered by
GPT-4o mini
The internet facilitates conversations about race in several ways, with one of the key aspects being that **it allows people to be honest on a public stage**. As highlighted in the article, platforms like Twitter enable individuals to engage in discussions without the immediate fear of in-person confrontation or backlash that might occur in face-to-face interactions. This sense of relative anonymity and distance creates a space where people feel freer to express their thoughts and experiences regarding race, leading to more open and honest conversations.
In addition to providing a stage for honest dialogue, the internet also allows for the sharing and consumption of diverse perspectives, which can enrich the conversations about race. While some users may interact primarily within their own social circles, others, like Gaunt, find a way to engage with a broader audience, fostering a sense of community and connection across different backgrounds and experiences.
Overall, the online environment can both facilitate and challenge traditional boundaries around conversations about race, making it a unique space for dialogue and learning.
In addition to providing a stage for honest dialogue, the internet also allows for the sharing and consumption of diverse perspectives, which can enrich the conversations about race. While some users may interact primarily within their own social circles, others, like Gaunt, find a way to engage with a broader audience, fostering a sense of community and connection across different backgrounds and experiences.
Overall, the online environment can both facilitate and challenge traditional boundaries around conversations about race, making it a unique space for dialogue and learning.
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