Menu
Social media topic of next Community Conversation
Social media networks have swarmed over American culture, bringing both new opportunities and numerous drawbacks.
“Social Media: A Double-Edged Sword” will look at how social media has impacted the nation’s human interactions. This Community Conversation will take place at the Putnam County Public Library on Monday, Aug. 26 at 6:30 p.m.
Social media does give everybody a voice in the digital world, and also allows people to maintain connections to people who are geographically distant and can help establish support networks.
It also provides places for online bullying and harassment, radicalization, falsehoods, conspiracies and predatory behavior. What are the responsibilities of users of social media? What should be done when threats are made or when harassment occurs?
Those who immerse themselves in social media often develop feelings of isolation and loneliness. Young people, especially, have their lives disrupted emotionally and physically when social media become too much a part of their lives.
Perspectives on the role of social media today and the possible legal consequences will be provided by Sgt. Matt Ames of the Indiana State Police and Jeff McCall, professor of media studies at DePauw University.
McCall is an established media critic with national credentials. He has written numerous op-eds that have been published in newspapers around the country. His op-eds are based on media topics he believes the public should know more about.
McCall is also the author of “Viewer Discretion Advised: Taking Control of Mass Media Influences,” in which he addresses issues with contemporary media.
Ames, who is the Putnamville District public information officer for the Indiana State Police, received a bachelor’s degree in criminology from Indiana State University in 1993 and graduated from the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy in December of 1995. As a member of the state police, he has served in Lafayette and Terre Haute and with the Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Division.
A 20-year veteran of the Indiana National Guard, Ames received a Bronze Star in 2007 while deployed in Iraq, and was also recognized as being Soldier of the Year for the National Guard in 1993.
The Community Conversation Series is sponsored by the Greencastle League of Women Voters, the Putnam County Public Library and the Greater Greencastle Chamber of Commerce. The goal of this continuing program is to provide the public an opportunity to discuss topics of importance to the community.