Effects of Media and Technology on Social conflict

Effects of Media and Technology on Social conflict

The Media and Technology have changed the way that people communicate with one another. These technologies provide new and innovative ways for people to communicate .Technologies can also have negative effects which arise during and as a result of interactions between conflicting individuals or groups.

Control of Media and Technology

       Powerful individuals and social institutions have a great deal of influence over which forms of technology are released. The technology we thought we were using to make life more efficient started using us some time ago. It is now attempting to reshape our social behavior.

     Media and Technology takes an active part in the Social conflict and has responsibility for increased violence, or stays independent and out of the conflict, thereby contributing to the resolution of conflict and alleviation of violence, the relationship the media has to actors in the conflict and the independence the media has to the power holders in society.

Social conflict 

refers to the various types of negative social interaction that may occur within social relationships (e.g., arguments, criticism, hostility, unwanted demands), and may also include physical violence.






Technology Tools

       
Broadcast media - A radio or television station is a platform used by organizations, leaders and other social groups who are seeking to mobilize their followers for a given kind of action.

Social media - It is widely believed that social media like Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram can serve as effective pathways of mobilization when it comes to social conflicts.

The Misuse of Technologies

           The uses of technologies to repress political change, perpetuate conflict, or otherwise undermine peace building agendas. Countries, organizations, and individual response to the application of technology to peace building, they can be expected to both counter those applications and use technologies for their own ends.

Peace builders need to recognize these countervailing forces and plan and act accordingly if they are to make progress in reducing conflict and violence. Through this ‘connect and share function people who misuse media and technology may turn the relationships into crisis between one and others. 

           

CONTENT:

Escalation of conflict is how a conflict develops, from small arguments that lead to bigger arguments. The escalation of conflict move from small fights to slightly bigger arguments. This can be seen where both parties did the same thing to hurt each other. The escalation of conflict was neither argument nor fights, problems were solved. Broadcast media and other social networking sites have numerous disadvantages. By being exposed to conflicts via this medium, a person can gain knowledge on the new types of conflict faced and the ways to manage it wisely without hurting both parties. 

Emotions are encountered when a person’s feelings and senses are provoked by even the slightest act. When it becomes too personal, we respond differently as our mind and thought changes without us realizing it. This is when we have to learn to control our emotions when we are facing conflicts as the reaction we respond is vital in determining whether the conflict will escalate or dispute.

Social conflict has definite negative and sometimes even severe consequences;

- Social conflict can distract individuals and groups from their primary purposes, leaving them with less time and resources for other activities.

- When social conflict involves the use of “heavy contentious tactics” through media it can cause the individuals or groups involved in the conflict as well as individuals or groups not involved in the conflict to divert time and resources away from other needs.

- Social conflict can lead to “collective traumas,” which lead to “chosen trauma” and can be transmitted to future generations in the form of resentment against one’s ancestors’ enemies. Chosen trauma gives rise to group identity and keeps the flame of conflict burning.

Our Perspective Regarding Social Conflict

     The potential for social conflict to produce negative results closely mirrors our individual perspectives regarding social conflict and can be mapped along a continuum from a positive or benefit-centric perspective on one end to a negative or cost-centric perspective on the other.

   Research suggests that an individual’s perspective regarding social conflict strongly impacts their ability to effectively address it. As our perspective of social conflict charts our path for engaging and navigating our differences, our view of social conflict must be balanced, realistic, and flexible. Such a perspective recognizes that social conflict is a normal, natural aspect of human interaction that inevitably manifests to varying degrees in almost everyone’s life. The perspective also understands that, though social conflict has potential costs, it does not have to be negative or destructive. When properly understood and addressed constructively, social conflict can be managed in a way that minimizes its potential, but not inevitable, negative impacts.

References:

https://www.ukessays.com/essays/psychology/effect-technology-social-media-9632.php

https://oureverydaylife.com/the-effects-of-modern-technology-on-relationships-12521218.html

http://www.comminit.com/fragile-contexts/content/social-media-and-conflict-management-post-conflict-and-fragile-contexts

https://www.cliffsnotes.com/study-guides/sociology/social-groups-and-organizations/social-groups