We all do this at some point or another while on YouTube. After you finish one video, other videos that may be of interest to you show up and one of them just happens to catch your eyes. You try, but you can't pull away. The cursor moves on its own, and clicks, and that means you'll be on YouTube for another eternity...
Don't feel bad, we all do it (in fact, I suspect Professor Hancock does something similar. It's not all your fault: YouTube has many features designed to hook you in. It has many convenient affordances such as it's free, accessible at any time, and relatively anonymous (if you don't upload a video of yourself). These are especially targeted to 2 dimensions predicted by Davis, Flett and Besser: diminished impulse control and distraction/procrastination. Seeing that interesting video there, you just can't resist the urge to click on it. And the convenience of the linked videos makes it a lot easier to procrastinate. After one video is over, all you have to do is move your cursor over the next one and click. YouTube has other almost irresistible features such as the easy search for videos, video categorizations (for easy browsing), what others are watching right now, featured videos, etc. Before you know it, you've gone over the time you've budgeted for the Internet (a sign of Problematic Internet Use).
The Caplan model doesn't exactly apply because most YouTube watchers are not necessarily suffering psychosocial problems. They are not necessarily lonely or depressed. And YouTube is not as interactive as other online spaces such as a chatroom or a game, so there is less chance for strong selective self-presentation management. Because you are not interacting with other people very much on YouTube, there is not much perceived social benefit or control associated. People don't go on YouTube to socialize. In the one-way flow of information, YouTube is rather like TV (and indeed that's what many people use YouTube for).
There is an interesting twist to the story. YouTube, like TV, can help alter your mood (one of Caplan's factors). If you are having a bad day, watching others in videos may help assuage your annoyance at your current situation. It basically takes your mind off your life for a second (again, the distraction dimension from Davis et al.). It's not strictly following Caplan's model, but it is an important factor of the reason we may experience PIU due to YouTube.
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9 comments:
Yang, I think you chose a great topic to discuss. Our generation is especially tuned into places such as YouTube and eBaums for our daily dose of funny videos and things we missed recently on TV. I agree that there may not be too many of Caplan's theory that fit into the YouTube phenomenon since we stay relatively unconnected to other people watching it unless we are uploading videos of ourselves. However, I notice that many times people feel the need to post a comment on a video and sometimes they continue on with the other suggested videos to place comments on those. Could there be a possible need to maintain a virtual presence as Wallace has mentioned? This would be an interesting thing to observe. Overall, good post.
Youtube has evolved into the ultimate way to broadcast a funny video to the world. Instead of keeping it between your family and friends, we now look for things just to update to youtube with. I feel that your blog is very accurate about it being a PIU and the reason why people have such an addiction towards it. I feel that the Caplan model though is expressed to a degree and that youtube got its fame from the people labeled under the Caplan model. The lonely or depressed people where the ones who started this era and because of them it has evolved into something so much bigger then anyone thought. I totally agree with you though how the site can alter your mood in a good way and make you feel a lot better about yourself.
Hey Yang Zhang,
Your post is very clear and well organized into each topic paragraph. I like your choice of Youtube videos (was actually considering writing about it myself) because it is so extremely addicting, and it's easy to get addicted to.
The website does have all these nifty features that hook people in. Basically it's perfect for the dimensions that you stated. Soon, it becomes PIU.
I would disagree about the Caplan model, because I feel that it does apply since there are ways to interact on Youtube (comments, private messages, subscriptions, "friending", emailing). Also, psychosocial problems such as loneliness and depression can apply, providing reasons for why some individuals use the site so extensively.
Good job!
Yang, I loved the title of your blog! It was also really interesting to read because so many of us (ok, probably all of us) can relate since we watch youtube. I think that even though Caplan's model wasn't exactly applicable to this particular PIU, you did a good job explaining why it didn't. I liked that you referenced other parts of her article, such as how people use it to alter their mood, because it shows that other parts of her research apply even if we do not discuss them in class.
once again, great topic! (It would have been cool if you had posted some of your favorite youtube links in it :-P )
Yang,
I really enjoyed your blog. Naturally, I can relate to the whole YouTube watching thing. It’s crazy how much time can pass before you realize it, and it’s a great way to procrastinate. What really gets me are the music videos – I’ve got a YouTube playlist and everything. Anyway, you mentioned that YouTube isn’t really used to socialize, but I disagree. I think that people with a significant social presence on YouTube use it for just that. They maintain interactions with specific people, as well as address the comments of new watchers. Some even have “fans” with whom they connect regularly. Plus, it seems to me that there is something inherently social in wanting to broadcast yourself to others – and people obviously anticipate a response. Of course this doesn’t apply to all YouTube users, but it’s something to consider. Great job :)
I think you chose a really interesting topic and I have definitely found myself watching one video and then seeing another that I want to view. I think diminished impulse control and distraction/procrastination fit really well with this online activity. YouTube makes it so easy to just click and view more videos – it does not take a lot of effort or search behavior. I chose to write about email and I think that it is similar to your example in the sense that the online activity itself may not directly cause PIU but they are important factors that when coupled with other online activities and behaviors may lead to PIU.
I think you picked an interesting and unique example of an online space to discuss the topic of problematic internet use. Although problematic internet use does not seem as obvious in an online space such as You Tube compared to AIM or email, I think you provided a good explanation on how issues arise from frequent and compulsive use of You Tube. You provided great examples of how it’s specific and unique characteristics create an initial attraction for its users and consequent problematic issues. I agree that You Tube does not entirely fit in with Caplan’s model because psychosocial health does not seem to be a determining factor linked to initial preference for online communication. The difference may exist, however, because unlike examples in Caplan’s study, the purpose of You Tube is not to provide online communication among its users.
Hey Yang Zhang,
I must say that you chose a great topic in relation to PIU! There is no doubt that the “youtube conspiracy” has taken over a great part of the world. It’s almost ridiculous to think about how universal the site is and how many videos are uploaded each minute.
I particularly liked your blog because of the organization and writing style. You have made it very clear that youtube is associated with PIU because of its affordability, access, and relative anonymity (as you mentioned, youtube is free and practically anybody can get on the site whenever and where you they wish). I especially like how you relate youtube to the studies and concepts expressed in class. You give much evidence as to why youtube relates to the Davis, Flett and Besser predictions; you also give strong support as to how it relates to the Caplan Model. I can honestly say that I am not a terribly lonely or depressed person, but yet I still find myself captivated by the many videos on youtube. The site definitely aids my procrastination and tends to alter my mood (i.e., when I’m a bit sad, watching a funny clip on youtube ALWAYS makes my day a bit better).
Good job with the blog!
-Joshua Navarro
I have seen some people that use YouTube as their social hangout. They watch YouTube videos and use this as a conversation topic during lunch. I agree that it isn't somewhere that people look for socializing, but it is definitely a great place to waste countless hours of time. Great post with sound supportive evidence and justifications!
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