The book, “It’s Complicated” was written by Danah Boyd and released in 2014. It is about how teens are communicating with each other through the newest and the most up-to-date social media sites such as Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. These sites are leading to virtual communities where teens are gathering around and sharing information from one person to another. Boyd also examines many themes when it comes to teens using social media sites such as identity, privacy, safety, danger, and bullying. These themes are common amongst teens who resort to social media sites and can be viewed as a concern to many, especially adults. Although concerns are brought up, she argues that parenting in regards to social media can hurt the social skills of teens and gather information through networking. Boyd’s views about social media only enhance teen’s abilities to function and assimilate into modern society and are in common with Watkins who believes, “The
use of social media should not be interpreted as inherently adversarial to how
humans bond, build community, and cultivate social networks.” (Watkins, 70). As a result, social media is a positive aspect in the lives for teens around the world.
S. Craig Watkins, "The very well connected: Friending, bonding, and community in the digital age," The Young and the Digital (2009).
New York Times Book Review: http://www.nytimes.com/2014/04/27/books/review/its-complicated-by-danah-boyd.html?_r=0
"Boyd writes brilliantly about teenagers’ main weapon against privacy invasion, which she calls 'social steganography.' They practice a sort of interpersonal encryption when using social networks."
HASTAC Book Review: http://www.hastac.org/pages/its-complicated-collaborative-book-engagement
"The book is a fascinating study of youth and social media and we believe that it will become the go-to source on this topic, not only within the book’s North American contexts but also in a more global scope."
Purchase "It's Complicated" on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Its-Complicated-Social-Lives-Networked/dp/0300166311
S. Craig Watkins, "The very well connected: Friending, bonding, and community in the digital age," The Young and the Digital (2009).
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| "It's Complicated" by Danah Boyd |
"Boyd writes brilliantly about teenagers’ main weapon against privacy invasion, which she calls 'social steganography.' They practice a sort of interpersonal encryption when using social networks."
HASTAC Book Review: http://www.hastac.org/pages/its-complicated-collaborative-book-engagement
"The book is a fascinating study of youth and social media and we believe that it will become the go-to source on this topic, not only within the book’s North American contexts but also in a more global scope."
Purchase "It's Complicated" on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Its-Complicated-Social-Lives-Networked/dp/0300166311
