Cyber Bullying

Cyber bullying has seemed to been arising as more and more teens are able to interact with each other. Because this socially interactive technology is available to us 24/7, students are bringing their school lives homes and taunting other students. It is a shame that many students are under as much pressure to be forced into committing suicide. It is also appalling that all of this is taking place with parents not being knowledgeable of what is happening in their children’s lives. We cannot blame parents though, because if their children want to hide something, they will and it is the parent’s responsibility to interact and communicate with their children in order to find this information out. What I would like to know is why hasn’t this topic been drawn to the attention of schools and made more important. Students and school faculty should be made aware that this is something that is happening and something needs to be done. Of course, we have all experienced peer pressure, but home has been the safe haven where those who are pressured go in refuge. Now, they are under attack everywhere they turn because of cyber space. There is always good and bad to technology, and this is one of those bad moments.

Observing Observations

Based on a h.w. assignment, we were supposed to observe ourselves daily and document all the technology / new media that we used throughout the day and record if it was necessary to use it or not. I found that because of the advancement of technology, most of the technology that I interact with is necessary and I didn’t know what should be done if I didn’t have that specific medium. From checking my emails, bank account statuses, and paying bills online, I have become so accustomed to do doing these things, that I could not even imagination myself doing it otherwise. I don’t even remember when online banking did not exist!! I am trying to go back into time to where I had to go to the bank to make transfers, and simply can’t remember!! Technology has made it easier for us to advance in the future and do things easier, but has terminated the things we do in the past. If we were to stop using technology, I feel we would be going backwards. What do you think?

Growing Up Online

From watching Frontline’s Growing Up Online documentary, I must say that I learned much and gained insight into the perspective of parents who are simply worried about the well being of their children. It is true that we (teens and adults) have turned social networks such as MySpace and Facebook into “digital hangouts: and are living our lives online. Facebook is a very addicting site that keeps you “in synch” with the lives of your friends and family. I do agree with the researchers who think that teenagers are living double lives and have taken on an extra persona outside of who they portray themselves as in front of their parents. Teenagers mostly do this because they aren’t judged in Facebook, especially since their peers are all doing the same and because the internet is a willing listener AT ANY TIME.

As they have been called, “Generation Facebook” is most definitely immersed in a virtual world that will continue to grow and evolve. Their children in the future may only rely on technology and not know or understand the traditional way of doing things.

The documentary also speaks about the revolution in the classroom and teachers having the need to be as interactive with the students as necessary. In a sense they have to compete with all the students' technological devices because once you lose their attention, they are gone!! I was once a high school student, and even though cell phones were prohibited in school, we all found a way to get our cell phones into the school and would text each other throughout the day and even in class. When teenagers want something, they will do whatever they can to get it.

Another thing I would like to focus on is where is the line drawn with parents and their kids privacy? As a teenager, I wanted nothing more than to be as independent as possible and for my mom to respect my property. Of course she didn't, and was always snooping around my stuff, but teens these days want so much privacy but are doing wrong things with it. Where should the line be drawn? when should the parents intervene? Some should be monitored until they reach an age to understand that they cannot reveal too much information about themselves because times have changed and there are predators out there who will try their best to get another young naive teen... Think about it....

Issue in New Media: It's Effects on the Family

Have you ever been in the grocery store, had to wait on an extremely long line, and BAM! a tabloid magazine slaps you in the face? It always does this to me, and sometimes even though I don't know whether or not to believe the rumors and the gossip, I still end up skipping through the magazine to read the new "dirt."

Lately, the pictures of Jon and Kate of John and Kate Plus 8, have been decorating the last few tabloid magazines which seem to dish new dirt every day. What happened to the family that once wanted to share there experience of caring for eight children on their own? Now, media and its wonderful magical powers have turned this family upside down and its viewers have opened personal doors that were once meant to be closed. When I used to watch the show, they wouldn't even show the parents' bedroom because that was their private sanctuary.

The Media disrupted this family and continues to prowl inside of it without permission and these eight children have to pay for it in the end. Media's main role is to inform but I think it has crosssed its boundaries and has gone way too far. Although it is another source of entertainment, can't we find something else to entertain us instead of scouring through the lives of others for our pleasure?

My main question is : What is the role of media? and when/where should the line be drawn?

John and Kate are going through a terrible situation at the moment and no matter whose wrong or right, cameras and nosey men do not have the right to intrude into the lives of others just to entertain. Shame on media... tssk tssk tssk

New Media Devices: The Ipod

It feels just like yesterday when the first Ipod was launched in 2001. I remember wanting an ipod and going to school seeing students with the trademark white head phones that made them so cool. After a while, the ipod became a craze and some did anything to get an ipod. I remember staying at my uncles house one day to learn that his neighbor's son was killed because he refused to give up his ipod and sneakers to a few robbers.

The ipod, a large item at that time, has still maintained the craze it began with and people continue to purchase it everyday. As ipod days increase, it has become smaller and smaller. Comparing it to the shuffle I had in the past, the new shuffle is smaller than half the size of the original one! How can we fit so many things into sucha small object, I wonder... hmmm ...

What has the ipod done for us and what does it do to us.

Ofcourse, everyone can say this new media device is an "on the go" device because it can go wherever you do. It is convenient and a source of entertainment. It allows you to be entertained 24/7! Who wouldn't like that? You can play games, add music, and even watch your favorite television shows!! So convenient..

My big question is HOW FAR WILL APPLE GO?

With its unique capabilities, the ipod is slowly taking the place of the television, radio, and even books!!! It is no longer a requirement to turn your radio on to hear it because you can just download it to your ipod and lsiten at your own pace. Now, the Iphone exists and it is a mini computer that is taking the place of computers. It has everything a computer does and more!!

Will the ipod be the most reliable tool in a few years? Will we no longer have to purchase computers, newspapers, or televisions?

What some don't pay attention to is how much we pay to have an ipod. First, it is not a cheap item. Second, inorder to maintain your ipod and add new applications such as games, and music, you have to purchase these items from Itunes. Downloading is an option with the probability of a fine or even jail time (yikes!!) So to stay on the safe side, we purchase all this audio at acceptable and affordable prices, but in the end it all adds up to $$$$$$$ . Here's a link to an ipod touch review that I found interesting: http://www.macworld.com/article/141835/2009/07/ipod_touch_ascendant.html?t=206... Enjoy!!!!

Media - Sociable?

From reading The Network Society by Jan van Dijk and responding to a discussion board question, I had to ask the question "Has the purpose of the media really changed?" Of course we know that the media is used to inform and enlightne us on new things, but according to van Dijk, " the combination of social and media networks causes the media to become social environments themselves." I agree with this statement as I watch television everyday and realize the things media does every day inorder to get their viewers attention and most importantly to keep it.

The news itself has transformed from what it used to be. News reporters sat in front of a screen and told the news for an hour, and now news have surveys and questionnaires t

hat allow viewers to respond to while the program is still being shown. News reporters have begum to ask the opinion of the "outside world" more and more and have become more personable.

I think the radio is definitely a huge social environment. I never used to listen to the radio often until I got my car. Now, I tune into the radio every morning and love to listen to the topic of conversation, and laugh at all the funny statements. The radio allows the listeners to have a "face" even though no one can see us just because we are able to add our input and have a voice. From talking about the dumbest things to discussing politics, what happened in the news, and things we should change, it has turned into a social environment. From conversing with older folks who remember the radio and the television being an important aspect of their daily lives for only one hour a day, to us watching television 24/7 is tremendous! My aunt remembers when her sisters and her would sit around and listen to the radio for story time, or have dinner in the living room and watch the news with the family. With it becoming more sociable

, it is also causing distraught in some families because everyone has different taste and it is sometimes difficult to get a family together to watch one thing just because of the variety media has created for us.

The Evolution of Movies

Last weekend I saw the movie Transformers and I must say it was an action packed movie. Today when I was thinking what I should write about in my blog, I figured I would make note of the evolution of movies. Technology has advanced in so many ways, that movies these days are so surreal. The things one can do with a computer is quite astonishing!! If you didn't see the movie, you should, and then you would see what I am talking about. The effects in the movie really made you wonder about the mastermind behind it.. Thats the case with most movies these days. My point is, as technology advances, movies and other entertainment devices have to live up to the expectations of the viewer and blow our minds. It is another growing trend in society to watch these movies that are unralistic but have you wondering if it could really happen? The imagination of great master minds combined with technology help directors and producers pull off amazing movies!!! What do you think?

Cellphones or Computers?

In today's society, every person you see has a cell phone. These days cell phones have emerged and evolved into hand - held computers as well. With every gadget, the need for another application becomes necessary and a new and improved phone is created.
Does anyone remember when cell phones didn't exist? I sure don't.
As I look at my phone and all its applications: Microsoft Word, Power Point, Excel, Notepad, Calendar, being able to have all my email sent to one location, and other applications that my CPU has, I reminisce on my first cell phone that had games and an address book. My phone was as plain as day and my mother did not purchase the Internet so I couldn't even view that!!
Now it is NECESSARY for my phone to have the internet to function!! It's funny how we are able to live without an item until it's arrival. When we do have that item, we become addicted and cannot live without it.
My cellular phone is a must have and I make sure it is on me at all times. I didn't even need to get a land line for my apartment because of the convenience of my cell phone which allows me to be reached anytime and anywhere. (when I want to be)
This makes me wonder about years from now about technology. Will cell phones take the place of the computer?

Social Networking or Addiction?

So, although Facebook isn't a new website, everyday it changes and becomes more complex as the hours tick away. I thought all day about what I would talk about in my blog and what trends are changing in tooday's society. As usual, I logged into my facebook account and started reading everyone's updated statuses. (Who doesn't?) That's when it hit me!! Facebook is a changing trend in today's society and I'm not sure how much longer I can deal with it.

Facebook began as a social networking website, and now... (drum rolls please) it has become a soap opera! I read some of my friends' statuses and wondered why they were telling their life story on facebook. Some went far enough to mention what they had for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, when they were going to take a shower, and much more!!! Way too much information!!!

Let's not get into how addicting it is!! Facebook is a form of a drug which creates fiends. Like any other, I unfortunately check my facebook more often than I should. I have sowly been trying to get out of this bad habit of checking it when I wake up, when I come home from work, and 2,000 more times during the evening. (I said I was working on it).

In a previous conversation with a friend, we spoke of how technology is changing so rapidly and that we are trying so hard to keep up. Not to mention what it is doing to the way we speak and write, which I will leave for another blog..

Everyone has a facebook these days, even moms!! It is most definitely a huge trend in our society, but is it having a positive or negative effect? Of course, it is always nice to reunite with loved ones and friends from elementary school, and convenient to send a quick message...but.. is it nice that we are spending most of our time online and not with family and friends? is it convenient that we'd rather send a quick message rather than make a quick phone call? Is this new trend good for us? Are we moving forward while still going backward? Think about it..