Scholarly Article

             I found an article called “Cyberbullying: The New Era of Bullying” written by Ann Wade and Tanya Beran. I found this article on the TAMU library article database by searching “cyberbullying”. I clicked on the link that took me to the full text and there was a yellow sticky note that confirmed it was academic/ scholarly. I also knew it was scholarly because the article was in the Canadian Journal of School Psychology. The authors were both professors at the University of Calgary.

            The article is about cyberbullying and different factors of cyberbullying such as prevalence, sex and age. The authors conducted research and their findings were quite interesting. The first main point was about the prevalence of cyberbullying. The authors found according to many studies 11%-17% of students have cyberbullied someone and about 19%-29% of students have been cyberbullied. The second main point was the authors wanted to see if girls or boys were being bullied more and at what rates. Some of their research indicated that boys were more likely to be the bully and get bullied than girls. The last main point the authors looked at was the age. They found the perpetration of cyberbullying increased with age but the students of all ages were victims.

The conclusions that the authors made indicated that there should be more research done in the future to find if there is a more substantial effect of cyberbullying among boys and girls and students of different grades. The authors also believe there should be national study that targets adolescents to determine more about cyberbullying as a whole.  I think the authors did a successful job of relaying a rhetorical message by using logos. They used statistics and research to show that cyberbullying is in fact a problem and society needs to work on it as a whole.

Online Dating...Safe?

            With the constant playing of the Match.com and eHarmony commercials, I began to think about how unsafe online dating truly is. This is not something that normally comes to mind when you think about internet safety but I think it completely fits under this category. Although you may eventually meet the person you are matched with in person, most of the dating occurs online. This reality is quite scary.

            How does anyone know that the person they are talking to is actually who they say they are or even what they actually look like? The commercials use sweet love stories of how two people meet online in order to appeal to pathos and get the viewers interested in their effective way to find a soul mate. Many people who are looking for love are persuaded and sign up for these online dating websites. A lot of information about themselves such as where they are from, likes, dislikes, kids, and pictures is then easily accessible for anyone on these websites. This becomes a problem because many people are too open online and give predators free reign with their information.

            I feel like these online dating websites are a lot like social networks and people need to be cautious when putting information about themselves online. I think online dating does not really give the people involved a fair chance to get to know one another. I also think it creates more problems than good because of risks associated with giving out information to complete strangers via the internet. Are there ways to make online dating safer? What are your thoughts on online dating? 

Privacy Vanishes Online

I found an article from the New York Times titled HowPrivacy Vanishes Online. The article discusses how many people expose so much information about themselves through Facebook, Twitter, and Flickr. I think this is true for most internet users. Often times people expose themselves way too much on social networks and online in general. I can think of many times when I was completely appalled at something someone posted on Facebook, whether it was an ongoing fight on someone’s wall or personal information that people shouldn’t or wouldn’t want to know.

Another point the article discussed was that computer scientists and experts believe with the copious amounts of information provided via the internet, computers can recreate a person’s identity down to a social security number. Studies have shown that these experts are in fact correct leaving many people uneasy. I think this scares me more than anything. I know I have provided information multiple times online and to think a computer could figure out my exact social security numbers freaks me out. I think if more people were aware of this they would be more cautious when doing anything online.

The article expressed the fact that although we may not be the ones putting our information online our friends and colleagues might be. Like many of us know there are many ways people can put information without us even knowing through social networks and other online sources. This can often lead to dangerous situations if predators know your exact location or specific information about you.

One of the last points made in the article that stood out to me to most was “When you’re doing stuff online, you should behave as if you’re doing it in public.” I think this is good strategy to go by when doing anything online whether it is researching, social networking or blogging. I think parents and teachers should enforce this with their children. I think adults should also set good examples for their children when it comes to the internet.

"The Things You Carry"

Popular truck companies create commercials using rhetorical appeals to persuade the audience their truck is more tough and sturdy than the other leading name brand trucks. I picked the Silverado HD commercial that we have all probably seen at some point while watching TV. I found this commercial on YouTube but it is commonly played on many TV stations.  

The most well known claim by Chevrolet is that their trucks are heavy duty and can drive through just about any terrain. The evidence to support this claim is shown by the truck powering through the mud, dirt, rocks and over branches while hauling a large construction machine.  The commentator also supports this claim by saying “We gave it a new fully boxed high strength steel frame”.  

The commercial ends with the man pulling up to a day care center to drop off his infant son and the commentator states, “Because the things you carry are even heavier than the things you haul”. This appeals to pathos because the audience can relate to how precious children are whether they have children of their own or not. The commercial also appeals to the logos of the viewers because they show that the truck is sturdy and state that it has “hydraulic body mounts for a smooth ride” which persuades the audience to buy their truck.  I think the warrant in this commercial is that the audience first and foremost wants a safe vehicle. Chevrolet uses pathos and logos to persuade the viewers that their truck has the best features and it is a safe vehicle.

Privacy at its Finest...

                Online privacy is an issue in today’s society that many people do not take serious enough. Often times internet users put information about themselves online without even thinking about it. People sign up for things online daily that require a full name, address, age, security questions and other similar sorts of information. Email accounts, social networks, online coupons, ITunes accounts, University databases and blogs are just a few examples where detailed information is requested.

                I think people should be concerned about their privacy online in order to protect themselves, family and friends. Facebook has a new feature that allows people to post where they are, who they are with and what they are doing. For example, I could tag my mom and brother eating dinner at our house. Internet users would then know where I live, who I am with and what we are doing. Privacy goes completely out the window in this situation and allows predators more than enough information to harm someone or stalk them.

                Companies and spammers can gain information about us with the click of a button so it is important to be modest when putting personal information online. The dangers of being too personal online include identity theft, stalking, and sometimes gaining passwords to important things. People need to be cautious every time they sign up online for something and think about if it is completely necessary. If we keep ourselves more private online we are protecting ourselves and others who we are connected with online. Think about things you have signed up for within the last week, was it completely necessary? Did you put more than the required fields? Have you tagged yourself at a place on Facebook that could put you in a harmful situation or give up someone else’s privacy? 

Online Safety

The two blog posts I found were “Top FiveDangerous Facebook Postings (That Seem Innocent)” from the InternetSafety.com Blog and “Social Networking on the Move” from the SafetyClicks Blog. Both blog posts are about safety within social networking and online.

            The author of the InternetSafety.com Blog discusses five Facebook statuses that seem rather innocent but in reality could be very dangerous.  This blog post portrays logos by stating some truths about Facebook that many of us probably don’t want to admit. It makes the audience think about the reality of putting personal information on Facebook. The author appeals to pathos when discussing details about the dangers of tagging yourself at a specific location. This blog post has great, simple tips on how to use Facebook and enjoy it without giving information to predators or putting yourself in danger.

            The author of the SafetyClicks Blog discusses how social networking and technology have become significantly more popular within the last year.  It also discusses how parents can keep their children safe online by setting parental controls and by signing up for services their kids sign up for. This blog post portrays logos by giving statistics about the increase in technology from the past year. It also appeals to pathos by ending the blog with three questions that make the audience think and reflect about their digital lives.

Both blog posts are similar because they appeal to logos with the use of details and statistics. They both develop ethos by using correct grammar and vocabulary that is fitting to the audience, which is teens and young adults in the InternetSafety.com Blog or adults and families in the SafetyClicks Blog. The blogs differ because the InternetSafety.com Blog focuses on safety tips for mainly Facebook whereas the SafetyClicks Blog focuses on how parents can help keep their children safe online in general. What are your thoughts about the two blogs? Do you think they are helpful for teens and parents? ihihi

Identity

               Identity is defined as what identifies someone or something, a set of characteristics describing someone, or sameness (1). This simplistic picture of the word identity provides a visual to show all the many things identity encompasses (2). It shows that identity is more than just your interests, but it is your family, friends, choices, values and many other things that make up identity. The picture gave me a different perspective on identity because I have always thought of identity as just a few characteristics about oneself, but it is so much more.

In today’s society, it is very common for teens to have multiple identities, one online and one offline. Many teens feel the need to have two separate identities because people treat them differently or judge them if they act a certain way in real life. They openly express themselves online because they can hide behind their Facebook page, gamer tag or blog. Teens feel the freedom to say or do things online that may not be acceptable offline, such as bully someone, change the way they look, and stray from their beliefs.

The girl from the “Growing up Online” documentary is a prime example of this (3). She took pictures of herself in revealing clothing and heavy makeup. She posted them on her Facebook page and eventually got caught. The reason she posted the pictures was because she was made fun of at school and the only way she felt she could express herself was online.

Online identities are also what allow sexual predators to lure in young teenagers. They create a false Facebook page with a different photo and completely bogus information about themselves to get what they want from young teens. Most of the time they get away with their behavior because they hide behind their false identity and never get caught.

Identity is what defines someone, whether it be their online or offline identity. What is going to happen when more teens feel like they cannot openly express themselves to their families and friends? Are all teens going to move towards multiple identities? Is there a way to stop this growing reality of multiple identities?

Sources:

1.http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/identity

2.http://www.google.com/imgres?q=identity&hl=en&biw=948&bih=432&gbv=2&tbm=isch&tbnid=M-ud9IWMeI9SHM:&imgrefurl=http://art110.wikispaces.com/10s11-ID_Art&docid=qEVBiOj9uqO6kM&w=700&h=428&ei=CPmITqOZMcyfsQKh1L3lCA&zoom=1&iact=rc&dur=378&page=1&tbnh=87&tbnw=143&start=0&ndsp=12&ved=1t:429,r:2,s:0&tx=66&ty=19
3.http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/kidsonline/view/

Technology Gap

http://www.cartoonstock.com/directory/i/internet_safety.asp

This cartoon represents the technology gap between adults and digital natives.  I believe the technology gap is detrimental to digital natives. Adults are not able to help them understand how to be safe online, if they do not understand the basics of a computer or the Internet.

I think this cartoon appeals to pathos. At first glance, an individual might laugh or think the cartoon is funny because cartoons are naturally comical. But, I also believe once people realize the truth of the situation this cartoon might have more sad and shocking reaction.

The design of the cartoon is rather plain. The cartoon is in black and white but the computer screen is all black, for me this relays the message that the computer is the main focus of the cartoon. The father has a very confused look on his face which reiterates the fact that he has no clue how to use the computer or how to even turn it on. The expression on the daughter’s face is concern. I believe the written text on the cartoon is used to clarify the message for the audience.

The underlying message of the cartoon is that the technology gap has caused children to be less informed about Internet safety. I think it is important that adults in the community, parents and teachers learn about the Internet as well as some of the dangers with using the Internet. If parents are more educated about Internet safety they can teach their children different ways to be safe online including: keep private information to yourself, don’t befriend someone on the Internet unless you are sure you know them, and do not lie about your age. My hope for the future is that adults become more educated about the computer and how to keep their children safe online so less children are subject to cyber bullying and stalking.

Cyber Bullying

After watching the “Growing Up Online Documentary”, I became very concerned about cyber bullying and how it affects teens in society. It makes me sad to know that teens throughout the world are being affected severely by cyber bullying and some are even committing suicide because of it.

The boy in the documentary was cyber bullied by another classmate who told him a girl liked him, but it was all a joke. He researched online about ways to take his own life. He even found a blog of another teenager online who was encouraging him to commit suicide. He ended up going through with his plan and hung himself.

In my mind this brings up two red flags about teenagers being online: the content of information that is available to them online and cyber bullying in general. I think it is important for teenagers to be monitored while online and have a limited amount of time they are allowed to be online. Parents should inform their children about cyber bullying and how to stay safe online whether they are researching for a school project or staying connected to their friends through Facebook.

Parents need to be aware of what their teens are doing online and occasionally ask to see their blogs or Facebook pages. My little brother is 4 years younger than me and there have been times when my friends ask me if I have seen his latest post on Facbook or some picture he has posted. Although I may sound like the nagging big sister, I will talk to my parents about what he has posted if I feel like he is portraying himself in a derogatory way or there is potential for him to get in trouble.  If parents will talk to their teens and monitor what they are doing online this can reduce cyber bullying.

I found an online resource for teens and parents about tips for staying safe online (http://www.teenzeen.org/tips-for-staying-safe-on-the-internet.html). The website gives information about what cyber bullying is, what not to post about yourself online and tips for parents of teens online. I think resources like these are essential in keeping teenagers safe while going online. 

Identity, Privacy and Safety

            I have chosen to use “Identity, Privacy and Safety” as my inquiry area. This area stood out to me because I have had personal experiences dealing with these topics sometime throughout my digital life. These three topics can relate to almost anyone who uses online resources for blogging, networking or to gain knowledge. I think many people are naïve to the dangers and risks of these types of digital networking; especially teenagers who are new to the digital world.

            I was about start high school, when I met this guy on Facebook and we started talking via phone and Facebook chat. It was like we were dating but we had never met. We wanted to meet face to face, but thankfully my parents went through my text messages and ended my cyber relationship very fast!

I look back on that situation and although I was very naïve at the time I realize now how dangerous that truly was for me to be talking to someone I had never met. This situation reiterated the dangers of giving out information and talking to people I do not know personally. It made me become very cautious about keeping anything I put on the internet as private as possible because there are people and companies out there who will take advantage of online users.

I found a blog from someone on the Facebook team, about giving Facebook users more control with privacy features (http://www.facebook.com/blog.php?post=391922327130).

Differnt types of online communication and networking are a great way to keep in touch with people, find old friends and get even more connected to friends we have. However, there are definitely precautions that need to be taken to ensure our own safety and the safety of our friends and family. Throughout my blog, I want to explore how we can stay safe while being online, the issues of staying true to our identity, and explore the importance of keeping information private to the online world.