The Ugly Side of the Internet

When Bullying Goes High-Tech

Above is a link to an article about cyber bullying. The article starts with telling about a young boy, Brandon Turley, who was bullied and threatened over the social media site Myspace. Turley was told he shouldn't go to school anymore and die. These were people Turley had never even spoken to. Never even met. I am an regular social media user. I have a Facebook and Twitter and recently got into Tumblr as well. I personally have never experienced cyber bullying. Honestly I can not even fathom what I would do if I were to be bullied over the Internet. People saying things about me where the whole world could see. I would be devastated that is for sure. This is the true ugly side of the Internat and its abilities. The Internet provides places where someones whole life could be ruined. It give people who are cruel and twisted a place to publicly express their hatred. The article from CNN goes into great detail the prevalence, consequences, and statistics tied to cyber bullying. The article also gives many ways to help reduce the growing problem. Turley isn't the only with a heart wrenching story like that. Kids and adults are being bullied over the Internet all the time. That is the thing about the web, it never goes to sleep. Everything anyone posts is still always out there and people can harass others and any time of the day. There is truly no end. The Internet is an incredible thing but instances of cyber bullying are what give it an ugly face.

The Bad Side of the Internet

WebMD - Internet Addiction

Just recently in late February of 2013, WebMD posted an article about how an addiction to the Internet can be considered a mental disorder and can be harder to stop than an addiction to drugs. The article says the medical professionals are saying an addiction to the Internet is often tired to depression and people can experience withdrawals similar to drug addicts. They even went as far as saying people who are addicted to the Internet show similar traits to people with Autism. The article says that in the upcoming fifth edition of Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders will include Internet use and gaming disorder in it. A study was conducted on 60 adults that examined there use of the Internet and the their moods and emotions while using the Internet and when they had to stop. It was shocking that the results showed connections to depression and anxiety for the people who were clearly dependent on the Internet. I believe this is a great example of the bad side of the Internet. With access to so many different things ranging from social media sites, games, and the ability to look up anything and anyone people are clearly developing a problem. The fact the an addiction to the Internet can be searched in WebMD makes me worried for the future. What will be next? It is scary to think that even though I think I am being safe and staying away from common addictive things there is still a chance that I could get addicted to something that seems so harmless.

The Good Side of the Internet

eLearners.com

To demonstrate the good side of the Internet I added a link to eLearner.com. eLeaner.com is a site where people can get a degree by taking only online courses. Online education has many benefits, such as schedule flexibility, range of options, cost-effectiveness, and so many more. People have tried arguing that online education isn't good, but there are rebuttals for most of the arguments. One concern is the lack of face-to-face interaction with the instructor and fellow classmates. In return, the use of video conferencing technologies, and even free-to-use group chats are being being introduced more to make up for that. Another worry is that online degree programs are viewed as less optimal instruction for students, with no real standards to regulate the curriculum. However, online instruction is subject to academic scrutiny like on-campus schooling. Whether it is an online school or a regular college, they all have to be accredited. Student plagiarism and dishonesty is a big concern as well. Moreover, online institutions. like eLearner.com, have a hire security because when all of the work is done online they can use technologies, such as Turnitin and iThenticate to assess the credibility of the students work. 

Online education is more popular than ever before. This form of education gives more people a chance to earn a college level degree in our increasing competitive world. For example, a single mother who needs to be home to take care of her kids and also work has the ability to take classes online. Having access to such information is incredible. This is a clear example of how the Internet is good. Of how the Internet gives people more opportunities. Of how the Internet is helping people. 

Cell Phones and Privacy

Prepaid cell phones are a good way for customers to keep their privacy while owning a cell phone. There are several legitimate reasons to own a prepaid cellphone. Legitimate uses of this service depend on an individual's lifestyle. For people who do not use a cell phone frequently prepaid service is much more economical. A prepaid cell phone service lets you control your spending, as you will not be able to make calls once you have used up your available minutes. You do not need to worry about having to keep up with phone bills, but rather, pay as you need the service. If you use a cell phone only for emergencies, it makes much more sense to pay even $1 per minute than to pay $30 or more per month. Also, technology wise people can buy just a simple flip phone instead of a smartphone if they aren’t technology savvy. I do not believe the prepaid phones should be outlawed. Although some criminal use them people shouldn’t be forced to pay an absurd price for a simple cell phone.  

Location Tracking

Tracking animals is much different than tracking a person. First off there are many risks. By implanting a computer into a person we are putting a human life at risk. No matter how specified a doctor can be there is always still a risk. So the question arises is the risk worth the reward? In my opinion I think tracking children could be beneficial. However only for a certain amount of time. I say it is understandable until the age of 5. And any age past that I believe children should be at an intellectual level to be aware of where they are and what is happening to them and they should have a say of what is in their bodies. I absolutely think it is a invasion of privacy for anyone above that age. I would support a US bill only if it were for children under the age of 5. Anything more is an invasion. I think tracking seniors is a whole other category. I think they should have to agree to it. They should be aware of all the implication and aware of exactly what would be happening and they would have to fully agree to it in order for it to be okay. However I think the GPS shoes are a much better option. It is less of a health risk and can aid in the same way.

First Post!!

This is my first on a blog! I made this blog to the "Living in a Networked World" at the University of New Hampshire. Here you will find posts regarding the class and various assignments.