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.
I was was also interested by this topic, but I deiced to pick a different inquiry area. I think your example from your 1st year of high school was very relevant. So often we can have a naïve since of security and feel that we are invincible. I am very careful about what information I share online because of safety.
ReplyDeleteYour experience related to the topic you have chosen will make your blogs really awesome. I agree with you on the fact that some information is meant to remain private within the social network user them self. People that commonly use social networking sites and/or text should always be aware of the risks that come along with a privilege such as this one.
ReplyDeleteThe internet can be a dangerous place, as you have seen through personal experience. I think that the issue of privacy and safety through social networking is a big deal, and an issue that will only become more important and relevant in the future. The link about the facebook blog was good, and hopefully people can learn to use these privacy settings more to maintain their privacy.
ReplyDeleteWhat you talk about in this blog is very true. Especially with the story you gave of your personal experience. I think mostly everyone that has a way to get on the internet has had something similar, I have. At first it is interesting just because you want to get to know that person and see how things can turn out. Who knows, it may be that one digital fairytale story. Luckily we have the people that love us and they snap us out of it. Safety is one of the keys to surviving in the digital world. Keeping our identity safe and being our true selves is important. I'm not saying to be so real that you give all of your information online but real to the extend where people can determine the kind of person you are. People need privacy no matter if its in the real world or the digital world.
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