where are
modern influences on our lives
we heading?
Editorial By Elena Kiratzi and Abiona Boja
As young people we are exposed to more social influences than ever before, Weaving their way into our daily lives, often without us even realising. In this issue, we explore the positive and negative impact these can have on us, through education, media and our peers. It’s human nature to synchronise in some way with those around us, which is why our conduct can often mirror that of a friend. But at what point does this stop being harmonised behaviour, and become something detrimental? Social influences are most prevalent online. The Internet is a great platform for free advertising, freedom of speech and free entertainment. However, it can have a negative impact on its users. Young people, especially girls, often compare themselves to unrealistic body images.
For boys, their body issues often manifest themselves as feelings of emasculation. This can result in over compensating with ‘laddish’ behaviour. Despite progression in policy and attitudes, one in three females are still victims of sexual harassment. Schools can also contribute to social pressures with the government’s focus for education being on churning us out as ‘fact robots’ – producing an uncreative and unsociable group of so-called ‘academic geniuses’. Inevitably we will regularly have to combat the negative effects of our current social influences. However, let’s find ways to make positive contributions in our homes, schools and within friendship groups. Use the Internet wisely, and use your voice to effect positive change. If you’re affected by any of the issues raised in this magazine, see page 11 for support and help lines.
Exposure is an award winning youth communications enterprise. If you are considering a career as a creative professional or just want to improve on key skills, and increase your chances of employment, get involved. Gain the confidence, know-how, contacts and experience required to succeed in your chosen path. Exposure is a registered trademark of Exposure Organisation Limited, registered in England no. 03455480 Registered charity no. 1073922. The views expressed by young people in Exposure do not necessarily reflect those of the publisher or its funders. (c) 2017. All rights reserved. ISSN 1362-8585
Contributors
Featured work by: Elena Kiratzi
Zarina Macha
Abiona Boja
Hannah Hutchings
Kishen Patel
Ideas & additional contributions from: Francesco Callara Anrada Dan Alyssia Griffith Elena Kiratzi
020 8883 0260 07715 642 918 info@exposure.org.uk www.exposure.org.uk
Lenny Van Reeth
Dominika Krol Jasmine Norton Zosia Melanczuk Joanna Misca Bradley Neville Joe Sofocleous
Raphael Sanis
Izzy Stokes Lenny Spriggs Cheverton Marie-Anna Thoma Cara Wylie
exposureorg exposureuk exposureorg exposure_org
Special thanks to John Lyon’s Charity for providing the grant to make this project possible. Thank you to the students at Woodhouse College, East Barnet School and Barnet and Southgate College.
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Raphael Sanis explores how social synchrony impacts our actions in everyday life
Although we were mindful that we kept in time, and we were riffing off each other, we were less aware of the stronger bonds forming.
Have you ever found yourself behaving in the same way as a friend, at exactly the same time? Have you noticed that when you’re comfortable or in sync with someone, your body language and movements mirror that person? Social synchrony is intertwined in our lives much more than appears on the surface.
Scott Wiltermuth, an expert on group dynamics, explored how detrimental behaviour can be generated by synchronised activities. In his scientific study, Synchrony and Destructive Obedience, participants were recruited and divided into two groups. One group was asked to walk in step with a leader, and the other to walk out of step.
Synchrony is defined as acting simultaneously, assisting the evolutionary process. It involves a group, commonly found in nature, working together to aid survival. It happens almost everywhere.
Afterwards the groups were asked to kill insects. Wiltermuth found that those who walked in step with their leader were prepared to kill more insects. (Participants did not actually kill the bugs.)
Looking into the sky you can see a flock of birds moving in perfect time, or in a beehive, thousands of bees working together to make honey.
Wiltermuth’s experiments reveal that synchrony can be manipulated to increase aggressive behaviour towards an enemy and obedience to a leader; while at the same time it can increase cooperation within a group.
Once identified, we can clearly see how social synchrony impacts our lives. In a concert setting, large groups of people move in time to the music, by clapping together, head-banging or holding their phone lights up.
Our co-ordinated behaviour contributed to a tighter relationship between the three of us. There is also a dark side to moving in sync.
“Don’t be the lemming that mindlessly dives off a cliff!”
Social synchrony can be used to enhance unity and productivity.
An example of this behaviour amongst young people is bullying, when a group targets a specific individual.
In my secondary school, we had to wear a uniform. I think this helped provide a level playing field. For me, it made striking up a conversation easier, creating a sense of community and equality. Essentially, it provided a more productive environment, and helped me to feel in sync with my peers.
Usually one person, ‘the leader’, controls the dynamic of the group. I have a friend who was bullied in primary school; the bully relentlessly dragged her across the playground and stole her lunch. Meanwhile others stood by or actively encouraged it, even though they may have known the damage it was causing.
Teenagers who took part in an Oxford Brookes University survey said dress codes acted as a social leveller, and reduced the risk of young people being picked on for wearing ‘weird’ clothes.
Social synchrony can be found in everyday life, and can be seen to enhance our relationships with friends and family. However, in some circumstances, synchronised instruction can also be used as a tool to promote destructive behaviour in a young person’s life.
We are not always aware of how our harmonised behaviour can make us feel more connected to one another, and as a result, can lead to closer friendships. My band ‘Paradigm Opia’ recently played in front of a live audience for the first time in New Barnet.
By identifying social synchrony, it enables us to be more conscious of the consequences of our actions. Don’t be the lemming that mindlessly dives off a cliff! Don’t allow social synchrony to control your actions. But enjoy the deeper connections it can create.
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IS IT IMMAT ERIAL?
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Abiona Boja explores the real life implications of growing up online Like any other teenager, I spend a lot of my time online, probably too much time if you ask my mum. It’s a space to be social, to be creative, and to learn. But what does living in this digital hyperreality really mean, and how do we navigate ourselves around this maze? Whilst many of us will be familiar with social media, many don’t consider where the information that we post goes, and into whose hands it falls. According to digital marketing company Custard, 75% of Brits lie about their lives on social media. In most cases this is just harmless embellishment to make us seem more desirable. But in some cases, people don’t just exaggerate their talents or lower their age; they create whole new identities to lure and manipulate the most vulnerable users on the Internet. We’re all guilty of enhancing ourselves to appear as close to our perception of ‘perfect’ as we can, but when do the filters and special effects stop becoming fun, and start becoming toxic? “I’m too short.” “I’m too fat.” “If only I had straight hair.” “if only I looked like this model and that singer.” The phenomenon of comparing ourselves to airbrushed, heavily made-up, filtered models is one that has existed long before social media. However, this appears to have become amplified with the creation of instant posting.
What starts as a fun way to document our lives, can become an unhealthy obsession, causing chaos for our self-confidence. I’ll be the first to admit that, as a 13-year-old girl, I was completely and utterly obsessed with the thigh gap fad that swept the Internet. At the time, young girls swarmed to the Internet in search of the most obscure, and faddish diets. Tall, blonde, and svelte Victoria’s Secret models became the aspiration, but almost as quick as it had taken the world by storm, the thigh gap was out, and thick thighs and big bums were in. I used to believe it was much easier for young men however, according to a survey by a body of advertising experts Credos, boys are incredibly reluctant to open up about body pressures. 23% of boys admit to believing there is such a thing as the ‘ideal’ male body type. Nearly 70% of these boys admitted the pressure came from their friends. The fear of being seen as effeminate or weak can loom over many boys like a dark cloud. They often find themselves competing with each other for ‘bro-points’ (means of quantifying the values and actions of a friend) and girls. From the very moment that we are given access to the Internet, I feel that we surrender our individualism and confidence to become a play-thing for fashion brands, to fat-shame and mock all in the name of Haute Couture. But now, a new trend has formed. An army of body-positive warriors, who love how they look and don’t care who knows it.
From the very moment that we are given access to the Internet we surrender our individualism and confidence to become a play-thing… Witnessing these toxic body standards online has definitely had an impact on young people’s self image. It is estimated that 1 in 50 people, mostly teenagers, are affected by body dysmorphia disorder; a disabling preoccupation with perceived defects or flaws in appearance.
The Women’s Equality party helped launch the #NoSizeFitsAll campaign on twitter in 2016. Part of the campaign insisted on the use of plus size and curvy models for London Fashion Week, rather than just the usual androgynous, waif-like prototype. This legion of women and girls who come in every shape and size, have banded together to use the Internet for good. Say goodbye to the days of male chauvinism, and women projecting their insecurities onto other women. It appears that the close arrival of the ‘20s is heralding in a digital prohibition era, where women and girls alike are giving Internet trolls their just deserts. 7
joyless exam factory
Young people are turning into exam machines; Zarina Macha asks why I once heard a teacher say, “Education right now feels like an exam factory. You take ‘em in, churn ‘em up, then spit ‘em out!” In other words, students go to school, memorise a bunch of facts, and regurgitate them to pass exams, in order to become the best droid. Why are young people being taught to behave like robots? If you want to get a job, surely you must be as unlike machines as possible: socially skilled, creative and critical? When I was at secondary school, retaining information was much more important than understanding content. I felt enormous pressure when I was repeatedly told “these exam results are the defining moment in your life, and if you fail them you’ll never get a job!” I believe in education for the sake of education, and 8
that learning should ignite our inquisitiveness. It should include acquiring and expanding knowledge about our culture, history and the rational advancement of human development - not just passing exams. ‘When they are allowed to apply their natural creativity and curiosity, children love learning. Then they get to school, and we suppress this instinct by sitting them down, force-feeding them with inert facts and testing the life out of them.’ – Journalist, George Monbiot. The children’s counselling service, Childline revealed that fears about exams are rising dramatically. They delivered over 3,000 counselling sessions about exam stress between 2015-16, a 9% increase from the previous year. “Teachers see very clearly the effect of stress on students, and are reporting exam stress among school children from primary school upwards. Many relate it to the joyless exam-factory approach this government has towards education…” – Deputy general secretary of the National Union of Teachers, Kevin Courtney. Young people aren’t the only ones being affected. The insistence on preparing for exams and constant
testing, is also distressing teachers. “It’s not right that all I teach is exam practice. I love my subject but you know they’ve added another 100 pages of biology to get through in the name of making things harder. I want to inspire my students, but I’m being ground down.” – Teacher, School 21, London.
I believe in education for the sake of education, and that learning should ignite our inquisitiveness We stress and struggle to cram for tests, only to quickly forget what we’ve learned. This leaves us unclear and scared about what our future holds! Schools and colleges should be a space where we can learn, be inspired and supported. But all too often they’re filled with tired, depressed teenagers, traipsing through the corridors. Former education secretary, Nicky Morgan previously claimed that it could be detrimental to job prospects for young people to study arts and humanities subjects. As someone who wants to pursue the arts
as a career path, I found this statement very unhelpful and absurd. I studied History, Film and Psychology at A level. Studying Psychology, for example, has been instrumental in understanding my own mental health issues, and developing empathy for others. Fortunately, a report by campaign group, Cultural Learning Alliance, released earlier this year, provides evidence that taking part in arts activities increases cognitive abilities. They found that pupils who study arts subjects are more employable. It goes on to explain how a generation of young people will be, “intellectually poorer, emotionally more limited, and socially more isolated” unless they are allowed access to a full range of arts and culture. Yes, young people should be pushed to achieve and do their best, but not by memorising instead of learning, and not at the expense of our mental health. I believe in a well-rounded education. It is essential to engage, learn and pursue subjects that you find interesting, challenging, and that help to create the premise for mental and physical wellbeing.
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DROP IT CAVEMAN 10
Hannah Hutchings thinks attitudes towards women need to move beyond the primitive
At any age, the difference between harassment and giving a compliment should be blindingly obvious, from body language and tone of voice. I’m not saying you can’t find a stranger attractive, or strike up a conversation, but street harassment is no more about compliments than rape is about sex.
We didn’t learn about sexual harassment in school. But from the age of 11, I knew exactly what it was. I’d experienced it many times, usually in the form of a car beeping at me, or being shouted at in the street.
It’s hard to know what to do when strangers treat you this way: try to confront them, ignore them, get angry or just don’t think about it? Personally, as I’ve got older, I just accept it when it happens to me.
Such things may sound minor. Some would even say it’s a form of flattery. But believe me, that’s not how it feels when boys no older than 10 years old yell horrible things at you. That’s not a compliment — that’s harassment. After a while, it wears you down.
Many women, who experience harassment, have also adapted their behaviour. This includes avoiding walking in certain places, according to Laura Bates, founder of the Everyday Sexism project, a website that catalogues women’s experiences of chauvinism, on a day to day basis.
I know others who regularly deal with whistling, honking or sexist comments. Some have even been physically assaulted. A YouGov survey found that 85% of young women had experienced street harassment. Another poll by the Trades Union Congress and the Everyday Sexism Project found that, 52% of women had experienced unwanted behaviour at work including groping, sexual advances and inappropriate jokes.
What can be done? It might feel like we’ve made progress thanks to recent women’s marches and high profile feminists such as actress Emma Watson. But it’s not enough. We need more substantial education, starting at school, to ensure people understand the damaging effects of sexual harassment and bullying. Young people interviewed by the Women and Equal-
“There’s something seriously wrong with a society that thinks it’s okay to yell ‘hot’, ‘fit’, or ‘nice arse’ at a child.” Worst of all, sexual harassment, defined as unwanted sexual advances and obscene remarks, starts from a young age. Research by Girlguiding in 2014 warned that it was becoming part of normal life for girls, with almost 60% of 13 to 21-year-olds reporting sexual harassment at school or college.
ities Committee said schools could do more to help deal with sexual threats and aggressive behaviour, for example ensuring counselling is available. Sex and relationship education should be mandatory, for girls and boys. And all schools should have clear policies for dealing with sexual harassment and violence.
A study last year by the UK Parliament’s Women and Equalities Committee concluded that “sexually charged behaviour” was driving young people’s interactions, both online and in person. Within their findings, one 22-year-old said ‘lad culture’ is a big issue: “In my school lads would come up to girls and grab their arse, try and push them into the changing rooms and then say: don’t get upset, it’s just banter.”
There is more awareness these days about the challenges facing young people — but it’s not just teenagers that need educating about sexual harassment. It should be obvious to everyone that it’s not “just a bit of fun”.
That dismissive attitude is really frustrating — this behaviour is really a form of bullying. And because it’s so common, many people don’t even notice it. Yet it’s happening even to girls as young as nine years old. There’s something seriously wrong with a society that thinks it’s okay to yell ‘hot’, ‘fit’, or ‘nice arse’ at a child.
Sadly, many people, young and old, need to be reminded of this. For support & guidance on any of the issues in this magazine try the following organisations: • youandco.org.uk
• mind.org.uk
• samaritans.org
• themix.org.uk
• nspcc.org.uk
• youngminds.org.uk
• headstogether.org.uk
• changegrowlive.org
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Our new film Lonely minds, a short about mental health is now out. To watch it log on to our or website or youtube account.
Don’t believe everything you think! www.exposure.org.uk exposure_org