The Influence of Social Media on the Moral System among the Chinese Z Generation

Abstract

Under a traditional Chinese society heavily impacted by Confucian ideas, authorities are highly respected. Teachers, the elder ones in a family, and the government usually had incontrovertible power of speech in relevant fields. Chinese society developed a Dovish-oriented moral system--a moral system that considered paying respect and obedience to authorities as morally correct. Nevertheless, those authorities are deconstructing due to the increased media use in the 21st century. The purpose of this paper is to investigate how the use of social media transforms the moral system of the Chinese New Generation. The use of social media increases information transparency and facilitates information diffusion. Since the Z Generation grew up in this fast-paced media environment, the role of the educator and the educated switches in Chinese society, which fatally diminishes the power of those authorities. This paper thoroughly explains how social media deconstruct the traditional Dovish moral system and facilitates establishing a new Division-based moral system among the Chinese Z Generation. It enables individual to recognize and better utilize social media's profound influences on modern society's moral system.