cyber bullies

"On MySpace, as well as on the social networking site Facebook.com, there are hundreds of groups featuring the words 'Hitler' or 'Nazi,' many established to promote neo-Nazism and other anti-Semitic feelings...In the Internet era, it appears there are more people interested in spewing hate than in countering it.” Christopher Wolf, JD November 8, 2007

This quote I thought was extremely powerful because I believe that Christopher Wolf did a phenomenal job illustrating the hate that can be bread on the internet, and more specifically through social networking sites. Unfortunately we live in a time where bullies are no longer on the playground but now we have a new breed of bullies known as cyber bullies. When I first started my research, I was more curious about how people recklessly place personal information on the internet through these social media networks but I was intrigued as I learned more and more about the amount of distaste and intolerance towards others can sometimes be found all over these sites. When I look at social networking and microblogs, there is a definite double aged approach to this new way of communicating on the upside it is possible to instantly share and network on a global scale, on the other side the ability to misuse this type of communication is tremendous in addition to also taking away our ability to communicate face to face. When I look at social networking I can see the tremendous upside to this form of communication. As I stated earlier we know have the ability to communicate instantly on a global scale which great. This form of communication can be used to not only keep people informed on current events, but it also has the possibility to save lives.

 As I was researching on social networking I came across an article of a person that was able to tweet during the tsunami that hit Japan last year which aided to his successful rescue. So in this instance the social networking turned out to be a lifesaver. On the other hand social networking can also be a very be a very negative platform. This form of communicating has allowed individuals the ability to voice his or her opinion with little to no thought of their actions. The internet and social networking has given birth to a new type of bully and predator, I am sure that we have all seen Chris Hansen on Date Line To Catch A Predator. It has become a very scary and exciting situation when we think of the potential benefits and draw backs to social networking. In conclusion after I have weighed all of the potential risk I still am for social networking. Ultimately I think that there should be stricter rule and regulations governing these social networking sites, but ultimately I believe that it ultimately falls on us as a society to stay observant and take the inactive to protect ourselves. I think that with every great achievement comes a considerable risk and this is something that as I see it will never change. Social media can be a great way to communicate but with the obvious potential for misuse we must be proactive rather than reactive.
  Reference http://socialnetworking.procon.org/view.answers.php?questionID=001614 http://socialmediatoday.com/jillian-ney/508086/why-people-post-their-innermost-thoughts-social-media

The use of internet on politics

“The political influence of the Internet continues to grow with each election year. Whereas 3% of Americans listed the Internet as their primary source for political information during the 1996 U.S. presidential campaign, 40% said the Internet was their main news source during the 2008 election” (Pew Research Center, 1996,2008).

A 37 percent increase in 12 years is a huge jump. In 1996 the internet wasn’t in nearly every home like it is these days. Many people only news source is by using the internet. I know mine is for the most part. I don’t get a paper because I can read it online. I do occasionally watch the local news, but I would say I get most of my news from the internet. Anything new on politicians is usually reported right away on the net.

The down fall I see as using the internet as your only source on what’s going on is, there seems to be a lot more misleading information that gets posted. Being an election year, people are going to be flocking to their computers to read about the politicians. “During the 2008 campaign, 78 percent of those getting online political information will use non-traditional sites such as Weblogs” (Parmelee, Davies, & McMahan, 2011, p. 627). I think the problem with using any kind of blog is anyone can post their opinion, and not everything mentioned will be facts. Some Weblogs have fact-check mainstream media coverage. I have learned that because something says it’s a fact, doesn’t mean it is indeed the truth. I don’t think this is any worse than watching a bias news program. With news channels favoring a certain party, they will try and persuade its viewers.

The social media sources are another avenue for people to get political information. Sites like Facebook, MySpace and Twitter have reached out to millions and millions of people. It’s no wonder politicians have turned to these sites to get their political agenda out. “During the 2008 election just over 55% of the adult U.S. population sought some level of online involvement; 45% of Internet users watched videos online, a more traditional form of political content consumption (Pew, 2009a).
In the months leading up to the November 2010 elections, 22% of adult Internet users engaged with a political campaign on Twitter or social networking sites; 8% of online adults posted political content, and 7% started or joined a political group on a social networking site” (Himelboim, Lariscy, Tinkham, & Sweetser, 2012, p. 93).

It is apparent that the social media played a huge role in the 2008 elections; and I can see these numbers being higher in the 2012 elections. We are in a world where technology is our everyday life. Politicians know that the best way for them to get elected is by their involvement with technology, computers, and social networks. Between 1996 election to 2008 election, we saw a huge increase in people going online to get their political information. A big reason for the dramatic increase is that in 1996 there wasn’t internet in nearly every home or phone. More and more people are discovering social media sites like Facebook. Therefore more and more politicians will use these sites to get their agenda to the people.

Elections affected by Cyberspace


"We viewed the Internet as an engine to gather people," explained David Plouffe. Plouffe was a manager of President Barack Obama’s 2008 election campaign. The internet has changed the way Presidential campaigns are conducted. With the ability to reach millions of American citizens easily, the internet allows the candidates to respond to their opponents comments immediately and to connect with a specific group of voters. Along with the positives of the internet, there are also negatives that come with having the ability to gather people, and this is the amount of false information that a party could help persuade voters to vote for their candidate.


Obama’s opponent, John McCain had no idea what the internet could do to effect an election. "I'm an illiterate who has to rely on my wife for all of the assistance that I can get," McCain told Politico in 2008. McCain could not match Barack Obama in campaign fund raising. Part of this was due to the fact that McCain did not dip into the voters who use the internet as their primary means of researching candidates. Many voters will not watch all of the debates or pay attention to the commercials. These voters will conduct their own research on deciding which candidate best fulfills their needs.

Rumors in politics occurred long before cyberspace came to existence. Greek historian Thucydides observed that the spread of unverified information could be used to manipulate public opinion thousands of years ago. I believe Rumors are the biggest change with campaigns running on the Internet. Voters could be persuaded to vote based off a rumor they read online and could end up being false. Nobody could validate all of the information that is put out on the internet. However the internet does allow voters to access past bills that the candidate may have voted on and this information would be easily accessible without the internet. So the benefits might be worth the risk of coming across rumors instead of facts.

Voters are able to look at aspects of a candidate that most voters never cared to know due to the amount of information scattered on the internet. These could range from marital problems to all of the bills the candidate voted for. In some ways this could be a good thing due to the fact that Americans will likely know a lot more about the president than what they want you to know, and then again it could be a bad thing if the rumors were the reason why a candidate was not elected. In the end, society as a whole, is always evolving and who knows how dirty these elections will become when more of the campaigning is done in cyberspace.


Parpis, Ellie. "David Plouffe." Mediaweek 19.32 (2009): 16-35. Communication & Mass Media Complete. Web. 10 June 2012.

Cyber Bullying - Education & Prevention


Cyber Bullying – Education & Prevention

“Online aggression isn’t just traditional bullying with new tools. It’s widespread, devastating, and knows no downtime” (Sameer Hinduja and Justin W. Patchin).  With technology becoming cheaper, easier to gain access to, and a way for constant communication between children and parents, it is leading to “new age” security problems with children and teens

Teens are staying connected through technology for longer periods through the day and this connection is not only with friends and for positive communication, but some communication is being used for negative communication amongst peers.  There are more inappropriate pictures being posted for mass viewing and intimidation through words without thought of harm being caused.  It is easier to say something behind someone’s back versus face-to-face.  Now that something being said behind someone’s back can be posted and spread farther than down the school hallway. Cyber bullying is a very destructive form of communication that leads to depression, isolation, mental anguish and can even lead to suicide in teens and young adults.

It is up to parents, teachers, mentors and leaders of the community to educate cyber bullies about the lasting harm and consequences they can cause.  Acknowledging the problem, educating and communicating the issues in classroom, and cyber security software are needed to help combat the continuing problem.  We must develop and implement plans to protect the young people from harming themselves and others through cyber bullying.  In the schools, all students need to understand that any form of bullying is wrong and that there are specific consequences for any bullying.  Since most schools have computer labs or computer workstations, there needs to be physical postings by all computers and educators should engage students in what involves cyber bullying.  Schools and police departments could create a hotline or another anonymous way for people to report cyber bullying without retaliation or exposure.  Schools should reach out to churches, youth groups, such as the Girls and Boys Clubs and other after school programs as an opportunity to educate but also they provide another safe place victims of cyber bullying can talk.  A safe place that kids can share their stories and learn tools on how to cope and get help.

As the old African proverb goes, “It takes a village to raise a child”.  If cyber bullying is taken seriously; education readily available and consequences clearly communicated by schools, police, churches, and other youth support groups, it may be possible to slow down or even put a stop to this devastating use of technology.

Kathleen

References

Hinduja, S., & Patchin, J.W. (2011).  High-Tech Cruelty.  Educational Leadership, 68(5) 48-52
http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Who_said_it_takes_a_village_to_raise_a_child

News Frontier, to print or not to print?


“The reality is that most newspapers simply don’t appreciate how different the online world is when it comes to content” (Ingram, 2010).

The new world of information on the internet is a new and exciting frontier for digital media. However, it also questions the validity of print news in a world where digital is often becoming the mainstream way to obtain information.  However, it is hard to deny that print newspaper is slowly going out of style, like that of analog into digital when it comes to television and telecom. 

It is apparent that how news is delivered is now more instant than having to wait for a morning paper.  That being said, it also changes how journalism will also evolve.  The way that news appears and is being reported is starting to change in a matter of years.  The death of several newspapers is already heralding the new age of mass media.  In terms of local newspaper, the Rocky Mountain News, which had been in existence for the last 150 years, was finally shut down in 2009.  The question of whether print newspaper will cease to exist in the next 20 years is a question that is present for all the newspapers that are still in print.

Readers today access their information in a variety of ways, all seemingly via a device.  The popularity of iPads and mobile devices, make it easier for readers to access the newspaper wherever they go.  It is easier to access the information within a touch of a few keystrokes, rather than dealing with different pages of a news print to get the information that is needed.  Also, with the push to be green, it is becoming more common for information to be digital rather than on paper.  Almost any type of news is now accessed through Twitter, Facebook, and websites.  There are fewer and fewer newspaper stands.  Readers are also now being directed to subscribe online for their usually newspaper, such as the Wall Street Journal.  So the question is, Do print newspaper stand a chance in today’s digital world?

Ingram, M. (2010, Mar 28). Gigaom. Retrieved from http://gigaom.com/2010/03/28/what-does-the-future-hold-for-newspapers/

 
Cyber Bullying – Education & Prevention


“Online aggression isn’t just traditional bullying with new tools. It’s widespread, devastating, and knows no downtime” (Sameer Hinduja and Justin W. Patchin).  With technology becoming cheaper, easier to gain access to, and a way for constant communication between children and parents, it is leading to “new age” security problems with children and teens
Teens are staying connected through technology for longer periods through the day and this connection is not only with friends and for positive communication, but some communication is being used for negative communication amongst peers.  There are more inappropriate pictures being posted for mass viewing and intimidation through words without thought of harm being caused.  It is easier to say something behind someone’s back versus face-to-face.  Now that something being said behind someone’s back can be posted and spread farther than down the school hallway. Cyber bullying is a very destructive form of communication that leads to depression, isolation, mental anguish and can even lead to suicide in teens and young adults.
It is up to parents, teachers, mentors and leaders of the community to educate cyber bullies about the lasting harm and consequences they can cause.  Acknowledging the problem, educating and communicating the issues in classroom, and cyber security software are needed to help combat the continuing problem.  We must develop and implement plans to protect the young people from harming themselves and others through cyber bullying.  In the schools, all students need to understand that any form of bullying is wrong and that there are specific consequences for any bullying.  Since most schools have computer labs or computer workstations, there needs to be physical postings by all computers and educators should engage students in what involves cyber bullying.  Schools and police departments could create a hotline or another anonymous way for people to report cyber bullying without retaliation or exposure.  Schools should reach out to churches, youth groups, such as the Girls and Boys Clubs and other after school programs as an opportunity to educate but also they provide another safe place victims of cyber bullying can talk.  A safe place that kids can share their stories and learn tools on how to cope and get help.
As the old African proverb goes, “It takes a village to raise a child”.  If cyber bullying is taken seriously; education readily available and consequences clearly communicated by schools, police, churches, and other youth support groups, it may be possible to slow down or even put a stop to this devastating use of technology.


References
Hinduja, S., & Patchin, J.W. (2011).  High-Tech Cruelty.  Educational Leadership, 68(5) 48-52
http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Who_said_it_takes_a_village_to_raise_a_child

Facebook Has Many Faces



 “Like a magician who waves a brightly colored handkerchief in the right hand so that the left hand becomes invisible. From a consumer’s viewpoint, Facebook’s fatal design error isn’t that Johnny can see Billy’s data. It’s that Facebook has uncontrolled access to everybody’s data, regardless of the so-called privacy settings” (E. Moglen, Colombia University Law Professor, 2012).  Facebook collects and sometimes makes your personal data available to third parties. Facebook’s method of collecting and using data isn’t always in favor of the member.
Facebook has more than 150 million Americans using its social network. They are family, friends, sisters, brothers etc. The reasons why people choose to create a Facebook account are endless.  The privacy issue has been around for quite a while now; still it appears users are not particularly concerned about all the ins and outs regarding their personal information or worried about the massive amounts of sensitive data that is being collected daily by Facebook. 
When you register for an account on Facebook certain privacy and security measures are promised by them.  Listed are some pros and cons:
·         As a user you are to abide by Facebook policies and procedures.
·         Some users don’t utilize their privacy controls.
·         Every time you visit Facebook data is collected about you.
·         User data is shared more openly than you might imagine.
·         Third parties advertise on Facebook.
·         Facebook Apps crave your data.     
Well it is not as cut and dry as it sounds.  The founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg also posted on a particular blog that they perform privacy access checks billions of times a day.  Although concerns and behaviors continue to emerge as numerous users constantly share too much information about themselves; for example we are going to Cloud Croft N.M. for the weekend this is like an open invitation for burglars, or I don’t really like my boss well your boss or a co-worker might read this and pass it on, or how about this one I’m on disability but let’s party tonight, this type of behavior on Facebook will only prove to be damaging.  This information alone doesn’t really prove you’re an immoral person, however it isn’t meant for everybody’s ears either.
So far, Facebook users are not utilizing their privacy controlsThe data that Facebook collects is being shared more broadly than you think, even the restricted information that your friends are not allowed to see. Approximately 13 million Facebook users haven’t ever setup their privacy controls this is according to this periodical written by Consumer Reports. Facebook uses your data and incorporates it into a money making tool; for example they focus on your data and they work with advertisers to convey ads that will deliver similar interests the user may find useful.  Just to be clear Facebook doesn’t share your information with advertisers, but then again they will if you give them permission.  Now, if you click on one of the numerous ads and make a purchase the advertiser or advertising company will obviously be able to identify who you are. This is how they acquire your information.  Another way your data is being used is through Apps. When you download or run games through Facebook your personal data has now become public even if you didn’t authorize it.  And, if you allow the Apps to dig deeper they will, of course you can always customized your privacy settings and regulate the permission and security level.   
In conclusion, granted Facebook can’t control the content users post on their profiles or their walls or the data Facebook collects about their members, especially, if    policy and procedures are met.  Still, these are abundant ways that Facebook is utilizing your information to make a profit.  Do they have the user privacy controls in mind, when their main goal is to generate revenue to make a profit, well maybe, or maybe not.  “Mark Zuckerbergs objective or goal was to make the world more open and connected” Well he succeeded, still when you are the CEO of a company that is already making millions by sharing user data with third parties, how much more open and connected do you need to be.
          
Reference:
Academic Search Premier Database:
Consumer Reports; Jun2012, Vol. 77 Issue 6, p24-31, 8p, 12
Facebook & Your Privacy Periodical retrieved from Website:

Mass Media's Influence On Our Social Perceptions


The mass media are becoming more and more pervasive and significant in terms of
our social perceptions and interactions with our surroundings” (Lev, Emi 2006, p. 1).

The Mass Media has become quite intertwined with almost everyone’s lives now a days. It’s pretty hard to escape it seeing that media is in almost every direction we turn. We have televisions, radios, computers, and eve now more prominently our smart phones. Media has a direct effect on how we even decide to live our daily lives and go about our business. Not all media we are exposed to is bad though. I believe it all has to do with the individual and how they themselves choose to use information.
Emi Levi discusses the fact that the average American spends 9.2 hours using consumer media. That’s quite a bit of time considering one only has 24 hours in a day. Close to 40% of one’s day is taken up by consuming media; again, it is not always necessarily a negative thing. If I had to guess though, I’d say that the greatest place for media consumption now a days is either on a computer or smart-phone. I think that television while it is still highly utilized and watched, the masses are now online streaming content and other media. Google’s YouTube platform has probably become one of the largest if not the largest places for Mass Media to distribute its content.
The Internet has become one of the greatest influences on human social perception. Because of the fact that the Mass Media controls all of the major outlets on the internet, it can easily “program” people or at least direct them to the content they want them to watch. Social Media sites like Facebook, Twitter, and formerly MySpace have all become tools for Mass Media. What greater place to infuse media than on the websites where hundreds of millions of people gather on a daily basis. The internet coupled with the social networks has become what I like to call Mass Media Weapons of Mass Destruction.   
            It’s become pretty evident that almost everything we do on a social level is influenced in some manner by the Mass Media. As I stated previously though, it is not all that bad, because you as an individual have the ability to filter out what you want and don’t want. The Mass Media will always be around, and probably more prominently as our technology and societies continue to advance. It’s up to us to determine how much influence its bears down upon us.
 --
David Peterson

In Internet Enhancing Education In Nigeria

Osagie, R. O.(2012), "The problem of the mass failure of the candidates in the WAEC and NECO examinations has prompted educators to question the current system of education in secondary schools in Nigeria" (para. 2). 
In Internet Enhancing Education In Nigeria 

One thing I have learned, everyone has a right to education, and everyone has the right to use their learned knowledge for whatever they desire. According to data from a Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) that was conducted in Nigeria in 2003, 60.1% of all children of primary school age were attending primary school at the time of the survey, and among children of secondary school age, 35.1% were attending secondary school. Education in Nigeria should be foremost within the community because they need to educate their young population for the future, using computer technologies and the internet.


Computers have become inarguably one of the most powerful communication tools on the face of the planet. With the use of Operating Systems in electronic devices such as mobile phones, desktop, laptops and note books, Nigeria can now be able to use these attributes for the sake of the overall improvement of their education by going to online schools all across the world. Every last one of these devices can connect directly to the internet.
The internet allows countries (like Nigeria) the capabilities to enhance their societal education for present and future needs. The internet is probably the greatest information source ever invented and one major use for it is going to school. Where, at one time, it took someone to go out of their apartment, get into their car, go down to the library, walk into the library, check-in, get situated, and find the books they needed for school research papers, one does not have to do that anymore-Nigeria is a country that definitely don't have that luxury. To get Nigerian students educated, more educated, and test, country test scores up, the internet serves as the greatest help because now people can provide online classes and libraries. In an article by Roseline Osagie, she had this to say about Nigeria's educational circumstances: Osagie, R. O.(2012), "The internet supports thousands of different kinds of operational and experimental services, one of which is online library. Students can get plenty of data on this online library" (p. 18). With all this, Nigeria can now get their students educated in a major way.


Nigeria's educational attainment should not be a bad statistic! Because of computers and the internet, the people of Nigeria can get the education they deserve and want for their futures. With America and all other countries, lets get some superior technology to Nigeria and educate their society.


Ron 

References

Osagie, R. O. (2012). Information and communication technologies in enhancing learning ability in secondary schools in edo state, Nigeria. Education is the property of Project Innovation, Inc. Vol. 132 Issue 3, p675-682, 8p.


Facebook Privacy and Trust



"Research shows the majority of Facebook users do not read the privacy policy" (O' Brien, D., & Torres, A. M. (2012).


One of the great things about being an adult learner is that it offers one a chance to research and learn new things. In my case, I chose to research privacy with Facebook; as, I am a member and have enjoyed reconnecting with family and friends. However, it is also a social networking website that bears privacy concerns. My interest with this article is related to Facebook’s privacy settings and how we, as users perceive this. My belief is that most users only scratch the surface in regards to user account settings for privacy with Facebook.

In a survey I conducted with ten friends, I asked each person how many times they reviewed their privacy settings on Facebook. Only three of ten people updated or changed their settings after they opened their accounts. Privacy on Facebook can be complex, confusing, as well as difficult to comprehend. For example, after clicking on a picture or video that was posted (on my Facebook wall) by a family member or friend, I was redirected to a third party application stating that if I click the “Okay, Watch Video Button”, and I agree to their terms of service, as well as their privacy policy then I can view videos from Socialcam. I have also found when friends or family members view a video from Socialcam it appears on my Facebook wall and states (for example) “John Doe has viewed this video”. Consequently, with every click, everyone connected as a friend in the system can see what you are viewing! I have yet to find within Facebook where you can change or add settings preferences for third party applications. Socialcam has an area on the bottom of their pop up where you can change settings; however, I do not want their application, so, if I feel the need to really view the video, I can go to YouTube. This may, or may not be how Facebook prefers it. I would like to believe Facebook intends well; but, how do you protect yourself?

My perception regarding Facebook users privacy


Social networking privacy concerns have been highlighted in the media and in discussions recently. It is my belief that privacy concerns should be a priority for every person who accesses the internet. Every click, every stroke of a keyboard, everything you do online is public information. Big Brother has never been more present and it appears to be getting more widespread every day. Have you reviewed Facebook’s Data Use Policy regarding privacy? Have you ever changed your Privacy Settings? My first complete review of this policy was today. In the past, I have reviewed my privacy account settings many times and made sure they were in line with what I desire. My fourteen year old daughter, a heavy Facebook user, has never reviewed the privacy policy. I would encourage all users to review this policy to understand the implications involved when clicking, typing, and posting of digital pictures and videos, commenting, liking, notifying, sending messages, and now “Star your close friends to see more of the important moments in their lives. (Friends won't know you've starred them)”.

Are you aware of the data Facebook collects every time you interact with Facebook? A study published by O’Brien and Torres, Social Networking and Online Privacy: Facebook Users’ Perceptions, found that the majority of Facebook users have not read the privacy policy, which is consistent with previous studies (Govani and Pashley, 2005; Jones and Soltren, 2005). My belief is that Facebook users set aside the privacy policies and go directly to the fun; however, many (including myself) have felt the unfavorable consequences due to this behavior. Below, I have listed some information obtained from Facebook’s Data Use Policy - Information page regarding how they receive data while people are active on their site. I was enlightened as to the information Facebook receives as well as information that is apparently going to others outside of Facebook per Facebook’s policies.

We receive data about you whenever you interact with Facebook, such as when you look at another person's profile, send someone a message, search for a friend or a Page, click on an ad, or purchase Facebook Credits.

When you post things like photos or videos on Facebook, we may receive additional related data (or metadata), such as the time, date, and place you took the photo or video.

We receive data from the computer, mobile phone or other device you use to access Facebook. This may include your IP address, location, the type of browser you use, or the pages you visit. For example, we may get your GPS location so we can tell you if any of your friends are nearby.

We receive data whenever you visit a game, application, or website that uses Facebook Platform or visit a site with a Facebook feature (such as a social plugin). This may include the date and time you visit the site; the web address, or URL, you're on; technical information about the IP address, browser and the operating system you use; and, if you are logged in to Facebook, your User ID.

Sometimes we get data from our advertising partners, customers and other third parties that helps us (or them) deliver ads, understand online activity, and generally make Facebook better. For example, an advertiser may tell us how you responded to an ad on Facebook or on another site in order to measure the effectiveness of - and improve the quality of - those ads (Facebook, 2012).

My perception regarding Facebook user’s trust

Trust for me is one of the most important issues regarding cyberspace as a whole. Facebook pushed this to the extreme as seen before in the Privacy section, Data Use Policy, and Information we receive and how it is used section (listed above). For me, it is unsettling with every click I am sending a notice to Facebook, advertising partners, customers, and third parties while they collect data on where I am, where I have been, where I am going, and everything I am interested in. This non-tangible action violates my trust. “A small proportion of Facebook users (25.3 percent) trust Facebook” (O' Brien, D., & Torres, A. M. (2012). The study goes on to say that “older Facebook users (30+) are the least trusting group on Facebook”, and I agree as I fall within this category.

My final thoughts

While I have no plans in the future to terminate my account with Facebook I do have concerns that limit the activity I do on the site, and on the internet as a whole. My Facebook account is limited to three pictures, one of which is of my dog. I rarely post images, comments or likes. I never have posted a video. I do not click on videos from others when they pop up on my wall. I do not want to be redirected to Socialcam where they require my basic information and email address before I can view the video, whereby, I put myself in a position to receive thousands and thousands of junk email thereafter. In sum, I do very little, I fall within the older user group where trust is a concern, and privacy settings are what they are, if you want to be associated with Facebook. The more I learn about how little privacy I actually have when visiting sites like Facebook, the more I would urge all users to take the time to learn about the privacy policies before making one more click! "The level of activity documented in the study on Facebook, despite a high level of privacy concerns and risk awareness, shows privacy is not a prime obstacle to social networking sites because the majority of users are actively protecting themselves by changing their privacy settings" (O' Brien, D., & Torres, A. M. (2012).

You can go to Facebook’s Privacy Settings-Privacy-Data Use Policy-Information We Receive and How it is Used section and click “expand”. Here is the link:

Facebook Privacy

References

O' Brien, D., & Torres, A. M. (2012). Social Networking and Online Privacy: Facebook Users' Perceptions. Irish Journal Of Management, 31(2), 63-97.

Govani, T. and Pashley, H. (2005) ‘Student Awareness of the Privacy Implications when Using Facebook’, Carnegie Mellon, available from: , accessed 4 June 2010.

Love at First "Site"

"Love, lust, an escape from loneliness: out there in cyberspace, everything --yet nothing -- is new" (Maclean's p.4).
             Online dating and finding love in cyberspace has been an up and coming craze for some time now. It continues to grow and bring more people together in a much different way than we are used to. Young and old generations alike are finding online dating to be convenient and the most logical way to meet a partner, spouse, companion, or even just a person to talk to for an evening. The ability to start a relationship with someone from the comfort of your own home, from your computer, has become a very appealing benefit to online dating. No longer do individuals have to go out on the prowl for a husband/wife or lover and just hope by chance to meet someone through passing. With the advancements in technology and the creation of online dating, now we are able to browse profiles and pictures and pick and choose what individuals are to our taste and liking and decide to date from there.
             It is utterly impossible to meet someone now days. We have become too busy, too self-absorbed, or possibly too lazy to approach another individual and get to know them. Many moons ago our grandparents were able to meet at school, at a dance, at the ice cream shop down the street. However, times they are a changing. When we are at the grocery store it is usually the last thing on our mind to meet someone that we will spend the rest of our lives with. We are more than likely in a rush and just want to get back to life outside of the store. The most common place for singles to meet in our time is unfortunately going to be at a bar setting. The bar scene isn't the most ideal place to meet a lifelong partner and someone that you'd likely bring home to meet mom and pop. Relationships started and based at the bar have a tendency to not last as long, and with alcohol involved the motives of the relationship can quickly change as well. A casual encounter can become a strictly sexual relationship in the blink of an eye.
              Online dating can eliminate all these pesky nuisances of the "normal" "old fashioned" way of meeting someone. No longer do we have to go to the gym looking our best, hoping, and praying that we will meet that special someone today. There is no rush or sense of urgency with online dating. We can now take our time and be picky on who we would consider dating and spending more time with. From the ease of our home, we can hop online at 2 am or 12 pm and start the process of meeting a soul mate. This is a wonderful thing for single parents who are extremely busy but would still like to meet that certain someone. Time and convenience have become so important to us as human beings, most feel it's a waste of time to mess around with relying on pure luck to meet someone. We might be waiting forever if we relied completely on luck these days. Being able to communicate with a potential date online before actually meeting in person brings the luck factor back of the relationship actually lasting.
                According to an online dating statistics website, there are nearly 54 million single people in the United States and about 40 million who have tried online dating. This displays that the vast majority of singles in the U.S. are attempting to meet someone online at one point or another. Although it does not work out for everyone, there are hundreds of thousands of individuals out there that claim they have found true love online. Statistics show that just about 1 out of 6 marriages are a result of online dating. This is huge! According to research firm Chadwick Martin Bailey, this is more than twice the number of people who met at bars, clubs or any other type of event combined. The study also shows that if you expand this to not just marriages, but to committed relationships, the number is even greater at 1 out of 5. Online dating has jumped to the 3rd most important way people meet their significant others, only being beat out by meeting someone at school or through family members.
              Some might say that online dating is cheating or perhaps even attempting to mess with fate, however the benefits prove to outweigh the cons. Everyone should give it a try before they knock it. With continual changes in society and time constraints people have become more open to doing new things, including dating online. This openness is crucial to our growth and acceptance of the way the world works these days.
Wilson-Smith, A. (2003, October 6). WHEN DATING GETS DIRTY. Maclean's. p. 4. http://www.statisticbrain.com/online-dating-statistics/
http://www.neatorama.com/2010/04/20/1-in-6-marriages-met-online/

What’s an iGeneration Says a Baby Boomer?



What’s an  iGeneration Says a Baby Boomer?
“We have now discovered a separate generation, which we label the “iGeneration”, quotes Larry Rosen, Ph.D., in Rewired: the Psychology of Technology, (retrieved from Psychology Today website, June 8, 2012).  Through research, Rosen relays, children and teens born in the new millennium use abundantly mobile technology and media and the love of electronic communication will be known as the “iGeneration” (Millenials or NetGeneration).   Another generation to learn how to communicate with, we now have the “Silent” generation, “Baby Boomer” generation, “X” generation, “Net” Generation (I think use to be Y) but now  we have iGeneration who is not just one group but comprised of four age range groups.  What ever happened to children and adults?   Rosen claims the iGeneration to be our first truly cyber generation.  The “Silent” generation is slipping away; this may lead the “Baby Boomers” into a more defined position to bridge a gap between generations through technology and cyberspace.  Does this present a challenge or opportunity?

Rosen explains the data collected from surveys conducted indicated that children and teens use all their waking hours multitasking activities through cyberspace communication; really all of their waking hours?  These activities were being online, listening to music, iMing and chatting, texting, watching downloaded movies or TV shows, or sending or receiving e-mail.  Staggering thought even though older adults joining the net are on the rise also; it appears massive amounts of media are being devoured.  A question to ponder how would the generation gap be perceived in cyberspace or is there a gap at all?

               Rosaleen L. Dickson, veteran journalist, author and Webmaster said in an interview in 2003, at the age of 81, “it’s frustrating when you know all the answers, but nobody bothers to ask you questions anymore”, she calls this the society’s wisdom deficit.  Her interview went on to point out this attitude will go out of style and pointed out that elder wisdom can be found on the internet; nobody has a clue or knows it is coming from an older generation.  This may present an opportunity to the “Baby Boomers” in closing the generation gap between generations. It may be possible to embark elder wisdom and communicate to all the different generations without the preconceived notions that no matter one’s age we can learn from one another through communication in cyberspace.

References

Rosen, L., Ph.D., Rewired:  The Psychology of Technology, http://drlarryrosenmemyspaceandiblog.blogspot.com/2009/08/welcome-to-igeneration.html
Dickson, R. Article retrieved from Website. http://www.aginghorizons.com/2007/may2007-5.html

Cyberspace Research - A New Frontier?


Cyberspace Research – A New Frontier?

In the article “Just Chatting,”   Ellen Whiteman (2007) discusses the ethical dilemmas in conducting computer-mediated research with human subjects at universities in Canada.  With technological advances in computer-mediated communications, there are ethical implications for online researchers such as confidentiality, role of assent or consent and participant observation, security of information control, and assumptions of anonymity.  The author examines the implications of the tri-council policy statement which covers all research in Canada and applies to anyone at the universities before computer-mediated research can be undertaken with human subjects.  In the United States, this permission process is known as the Internal Review Board (IRB).

Issues of Consent
    Whiteman (2007) states “in my research, the ethical dilemmas I have faced have been in applying the policy to the unique circumstances of doing research in cyberspace where traditional ethical guidelines related to consent/assent and confidentiality are not automatically applicable” (p. 2).  For instance, the ethical issues of consent and assent with participants can pose an ethical dilemma in cyberspace.  The author discusses in her observation of adolescent behavior when “playing” or “chatting” on the Internet, she required consent from parents, assent from the participants, and approval from the university where the author works.  Whiteman (2007) encountered further ethical problems while observing the adolescents – she had not considered whether consent was needed from the other people with whom her adolescent participants were playing on the Internet.   In addition, the author reports “… I was challenged on whether I had the right to use the content of the information which were a part of these chats” which was shared between the adolescents and “unknown online party” (p.3).  In her observations of adolescents “chatting” online, Whiteman (2007) has begun to unearth how ethical issues such as consent need to be applied with cyberspace research.  It appears that ethical issues in cyberspace research are complex, and presently there may not be a universal code of ethical practices which apply with this relatively new research medium.

Ethical Concerns in Cyberspace
    The author also notes that ethical issues such as consent and assent are linked to issues of public and private space online.  If space is considered to be public, observation of participants is allowed under the rules of the policy without consent or assent forms.  However, the author briefly suggests that the rules become less clear in regard to private space and whether consent or assent forms are required.  It may be argued that traditional ethical standards may not easily apply to cyber- research due to the various public and private communication options which the world-wide web offers.   While the Internet may offer many exciting research opportunities, I believe a strict formal code of ethics needs to be applied when using cyberspace technology for research with human subjects.  Specifically, I believe there should be clear guidelines which outline the potential benefits of online research and the potential costs to the human subjects.  I also believe that the human participants should be respected and have the right to voluntarily withdraw from any research study after being properly educated about the merits of the research and what may be involved.     
  
Whiteman, E. (2007). “Just chatting”:  Research ethics and cyberspace.  International Journal of 
    Qualitative Methods, 6(2) 2-9.   Retrieved from  http://www.alberta.ca/~iiqm/backissues.  

Innovate to Survive



The book Global Innovation by Ned Hamson and Robert Holder is a skillfully packed starter kit for integrating global innovation principles into your business.  This is not a book that laments about the complexities of the global market system, rather it uses plain language and sound ideas to drive home the point that anyone can understand the keys to innovation.  The most successful corporations are those who understand the rules governing the global marketplace.  This book delivers an informative punch with examples from some of the great corporations of the 21st century and the top thinkers in this realm.
            
     One may align their business efforts to coincide with what the times have in store.  Knowing the political and technological landscape surrounding your industry is key.  Examples from those who have mastered this process, like the 700 plus year old Swedish Stora Company are 
useful and refreshing.  The Stora is a Swedish timber company who has navigated over seven centuries of change.  They are still in operation and their ability to successfully innovate is the main reason.  They began mining copper, moved on to timber, and eventually to making pulp for paper. 
Hamson and Holder (2002) bring to light the connectivity of the global markets.  Globalization is creating a spider web effect throughout the world linking large and small countries, economical powerhouses to emerging markets to third world countries.  This creates opportunity and innovation brings new chances to capitalize.  Services that were once limited to those residing in such places as China or Brazil are now available to the world.  Not only is there money to be made but there are problems to solve, poverty, hunger, and lack of basic health care.  Philanthropists are using this connectivity to create positive change, and Bill Gates agrees that, "Innovation provides the key to this effort" (O'byrne & Rawson, 2012).
           I don't think Global Innovation will provide you  every bit of knowledge your business will need to innovate on a global scale.  I found it a well crafted and informative snippet of information from a vast and daunting subject.  It's a compact pillar of wisdom that will leave you with a clear sense of awareness and direction.


O'byrne, B., & Rawson, M. (2012, June 04). Bill gates speaks about poverty, innovation. The Stanford Daily. Retrieved from http://www.stanforddaily.com/2012/04/05/bill-gates-speaks-about-poverty-innovation/


Hamson, Ned & Holder, Robert. ( © 2002). Global innovation.[Books24x7 version] Available fromhttp://common.books24x7.com.dml.regis.edu/toc.aspx?bookid=5352.