This week of class focused mainly on the idea of technology evolving to meet the needs current communication techniques. One of the first things we discussed is what the most prominent types of technology are. The number one technology used is cell phones- not shocking. We use these hand held devices everyday and they are changing the way we function as a whole. The question raised however, was how is technology affecting our lives? This is a question each individual has a different outlook on. For me personally, I think technology is a wonderful tool that can greatly shape the world as we know it, IF we use it properly. This notion of proper technology use can be questioned in the use on Social Networking Systems (SNS). These include Facebook, Twitter, Myspace, etc. Let me pose this question, when you buy a new iPod, do you just open up the box and start playing with it? No. You read the instructions. A lot of people disregard this type of activity when performing online tasks. It is a very dangerous world- the online spectrum, and we need to be careful how we use it. One of the most important subareas of this is online privacy. Apparently you can find out information about anyone based on their gender, zip code, and birth date. I have noticed in the past few years that more and more personal information is becoming available online- particularly with younger kids. Other types of data that can expose people include cell phone numbers, "checking in" at various locations, and posting photos. I think that adults have more at stake online because of online accounts, banking, etc.; however, I feel children are at more risk overall by divulging more insecure information. Overall, I feel the main idea I have taken away from this weeks activities is that we should always be cautious about what we put online and that even the acts of others can ruin our reputations.
When I first started reading these articles, I felt like a lot of this was common sense. We are all aware of the threats posed online, so why do people not take more precautions? I have always been very reserved in the information I put online and hopefully that has benefited me in the long run. I have always been concerned with my reputation both online and offline. I genuinely care what people think about me and I will not let other people smear my name because of things posted on the internet. This is important for everyone, especially when the time comes to meet a potential employer, spouse, etc. Another thing to think about how these online interactions affect us as a whole. We focused on social capital (or social interaction) a lot this week as well. I think this is an interesting concept that should be studied deeper. In my experiences, I feel that online social capital has had both positive and negative effects on my overall interactions with people. Online social capital has affected me positively by allowing me to keep in contact with friends from high school or helping me come in contact with people I have met in college. On the other hand, online social capital has affected me negatively affected me because people I would have normally talked to in person, I will just converse with online. I don't think that talking online has as powerful of a social interaction as face-to-face conversation. I think in some ways it is almost a cop out or an example of laziness. Overall, online social capital has multiple affects and will certainly effect each person differently.
The two things I have found most important in this class this far is the importance of online security and reputation. In the article ""Reputation Management and Social Media," the authors studied the differences between concern for personal information posted on the web in 2006 and in 2009. Their study shows that in 2009 are less concerned with putting personal information on the web. This makes a lot of sense to me because I have seen a surplus in personal information available on sites like facebook and twitter. I found it interesting that people currently seem to care LESS about their personal information being available online than in previous years. This was shocking to me especially because there have been so many instances of identity theft. I thought it was interesting that the only three things needed to identify someone is zip code, birth date, and gender. This is information that is very readily available on most peoples online accounts.
The second important topic we have discussed is online reputation. Sometimes it baffles me how ignorant people can be about their online reputations. For example, when I see somebody's Facebook page and it is plastered in drunken night out photos and vulgar posts I tend to get a bad taste in my mouth. I know it sounds stereotypical, but the truth is, if I have that reaction, what would your boss, parents, or grandparents say? I think Michael Hiestand made a post on the discussion board when he said, "[This] is very important however, because privacy is not only in what people from the outside looking in can see, but who you let inside. Many people accept friend requests from people that they do not know and that can cause them to give out information to people they do not want to have the information. I think it many facebook users have accepted a friend request from someone just because they had mutual friends with the person." I think many times we feel that we can trust anyone we know online or offline. I know most of us have had an experience with a backstabber and why should we think Facebook relationships are any different? If someone dislikes you and wants to 'dig up dirt' on you, they can probably find something they want online. This is why it is crucial for us to be extremely careful what we post online as well as what others post online about us.
The fact is that technology is evolving, for better or worse, and will continue to play large factors in each of our lives. We must be proactive in researching new technology and how it can either improve or even destroy our lives. The bottom line is that technology is a wonderful thing and if we know how to utilize it properly we should be embracing all it has to offer!
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