Virtual Reality: An Escape

We have finally crossed the line between reality and the world of make believe. We now have the ability to live vicariously through Avatar creatures, and alternate identities. Virtual communities, such as Second Life, open up a whole new slew of opportunities. With a simple click of the mouse, one can create a new personality shielding their real identification. There are many instances in which these "worlds" can be beneficial and entertaining, however due to the nature of the internet, it can also be a hazardous. 

A virtual community is a world, found exclusively on the internet. Here, people live lives which, they can not, or chose not to live in the real world. This site can serve as a security blanket for one who is ashamed of his/her own  identity. Today, there is a large focus on materialism and looks. People who are ashamed of their real identities, can create a character with a whole new identity and persona. In addition Second Life, allows one to literally live a second life. Identity crisis? Based on the brief explanation of the virtual communities, they seem to be a haven. However there are other uses for these types of sites.   

This is where one can live a life never available to them before the world on the web. Aside from a second identity, people turn to virtual communities, merely as a source of entertainment. Preceding the Internet virtual worlds, there were video games and computer programs, such as Sims where similar opportunities were available. Personally, as a kid, I loved building houses, creating a family, going to school and making friends. This source of entertainment was sufficient and satisfying until the Internet became available to me. It suddenly became boring to make my own character, and be my own friend. New doors were opened to me when I finally got wind of this new game.  Why would anyone want to play a lonely game of Sims, when we could play with and compete against others? I agree, its more fun to engage in these types of virtual activities with 2 or more players, however these virtual communities may have gone too far. Many of these sites have progressed, advanced, and even went overboard with how realistic these worlds are. Like any other community, these communities started off low scale, and slowly developed to become as advanced and hi-tech as the world we actually live in. With shopping malls, restaurants, supermarkets and toy-stores all present in the community, people have the availability of buying items from these stores using real money. Where do we draw the line? How does this online life differ from the ones we live as humans, instead of fictional creatures?

Social networking has become a priority in most people’s lives, in today’s day and age. These lives and games are seemingly harmless, but it is quite the contrary. Behind the computer screen, a whole other world goes on. Facebook, Myspace and Second life have replaced our means of communication from person-to-person contact to communicating via technology. While these social networking sites help many keep in touch and even connect in the first place, our generation relies on social networking sites, instant messaging, twitter and texting in order to remain in contact with friends and family. In some cases, such as Obama’s campaign social networking only improved and facilitated Obama’s voting percentages. In other cases,  it also promotes communication between classmates, friends and family from close and far. While these features are constructive and help improve societal contact, when does social networking become dangerous? There are many cases, when people impersonate someone else, and befriends people who it may be inappropriate to befriend. They may and may not have ulterior motives for forming these friendships, but again we must be cautious of who these social networking sites connect. When these sites simply connect friends to friends, and harmless strangers to others with common interests, these sites are incredible. However, when do the users of this site become reckless and dangerous?  Should these sites be monitored and regulated in order to promote safety?

As previously discussed, almost anyone has access to social networking sites. This opens the door to cyber- predators as well as children and does not exclude the innocuous by standers, who merely use these sites as a source of entertainment. Children are naïve, and unfortunately do not understand the dangers of the world we live in. They do not realize that this world is filled with cyber predators and people looking to take advantage of them. Social networking sites, make it easier for predators to come in contact with young kids, while unbeknownst to the children, the predators are there to mistreat them. While many of us think that these circumstances are farfetched, there have been case studies and television shows broadcasted, which portray the reality and severity of these possible situations. http://www.secondlifeinsider.com/2007/10/03/law-and-order-svu-portrays-their-fake-second-life-as-sex-playgroun/ These communities, by the nature of what they are, mistakenly bring kids and predators together which will in turn, cause harm to the kids. Social networking sites do indeed present the world with new opportunities, in spite of that, we should retain social networking sites while also keeping them safe. I stress, parents must educate their children; make them aware of the dangers, as well as the benefits of the wonderful internet.   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kUyQI0USNSY

 

Just How Helpful The Internet Can Be

In my previous post, I focused, mainly,on the negative aspects of the internet. After watching PBS's program on kids and the internet, I was left me with some bad feelings about the internet. However, when we take a look back into the reality of the internet and its effects on every day life, we come to realize how important and useful the internet really is. 

According to the article regarding Obama's campaign, the website created for the campaign facilitated Obama's victory. Some think that the successfulness of this site essentially won him the election. Using internet features such as youtube, facebook, myspace and twitter, the Obama campaign intended and was able to rake in innumerable followers and millions of dollars. By using technology, social networking and the internet President Obama was able to connect, both literally and figuratively, with the new generation. This is where his campaign superseded the campaigns his fellow candidates. In addition to the internet, The Obama campaign used text messages informing voters of important dates, and other vital information about the election. 

Out with the old and in with the new, email is the new pamphlet and texting is the new phone call. "Using the Web, the Obama camp turbocharged age-old campaign tools." While the point of a campaign is to get people to donate money, write letters, make calls etc. the campaign was able to deliver the messages more efficiently and rapidly. By using new forms of communication and technology, the Obama campaign were the first to replace old campaign tactics with new and improved tools and methods. Evidently, President Obama knows his audience and his constituents, by incorporating a little bit of technology into his strategy, he was able to relate and connect with many more citizens. 

It's difficult to come across a person (from our generation) who is not computer savvy, or at least some what familiar and connected to the internet. MYBO was an extremely smart political move for the Obama Campaign, which took minimal effort and showed maximum results. 

Kudos to the Obama campaign!  

Kid's Caught in the "Net"

Is our generation addicted to the internet? I find myself on the internet for at least 4 hours a day. Whether I am surfing the web, chatting with friends, or sometimes even doing school work, my face is buried in my computer for close to 20% of the day. In most cases, the internet is convenient, helpful and entertaining but what happens when it becomes harmful? With cyberbullies and predators on the loose, is the internet really a place where kids should be spending their time? The answer might be yes but we must be sure to take precaution. 

Our generation has become dependent on the world wide web. When the internet connection is down, the world might as well stop. Can you imagine a world without email, instant messaging, and facebook? I sometimes wonder what past generations have done without it. These features are now available to us at our fingertips. However, we all know how entertaining and time- consuming the web is but have we become addicted? With iPhones and blackberries making the internet so readily available to us, the world has essentially become reliant on technology and the internet to run our lives. No matter where we are, we are constantly able to be in touch with not only our friends but also, essentially the entire world. In essence kids (and adults too) live their lives online, hidden from anyone and everyone. 

The age of the internet is revolutionary. While the internet has so many amazing and beneficial features, which facilitate our lives to a great extent, we must also be cautious of who get their hands on it. Smart boards, google and wikipedia are all helpful resources in the class room and in school, however socializing via the internet has a big impact on social skills and socializing. Because it is so accessible, and anyone could be a part of this world ( not necessarily with their real identification) we must be extremely careful of kids, and teenagers on the web. In addition, more kids are relying on the internet to communicating with friends, as opposed to connected with friends in person. The internet is a liaison, where people can hide behind false identities, it can also serve as a security blanket where people can create a new identity for themselves. Kids are also able to express themselves online, to strangers, sometimes who have common interests, when they are scared to express themselves in person. Lacking communication with those around you is dangerous, and was made more achievable by the internet. This is where the harmful aspect of the internet could come into affect. Because most parents do not know what goes on behind their children's closed doors, they have no way of knowing when a child is in need of help. As a teenager, we think we are invincible, which is why we do not think to let our parents in. So many problems arise from the private lives of kids, which can be opened, used and then locked away by a password only obtainable by the child, or user, themselves. 

While there are many threats of predators and stalkers, studies found that this threat has been exaggerated, however these popular hazards are not the only ones present on the internet. Cyberbullying, child pornography (sometimes posted by teenagers themselves) and websites/ blogs entertaining common problems, such as anorexia are in fact more harmful than predators. Related to the issue of the oblivious parent, children have went to extreme measures because of cyberbullying. While bullying used to begin and end in school, where there is supervision present, cyberbullying is unique because there is no regulation on the internet. This can and has caused depression, lowering of self esteem and in some cases even suicide. Another issue is sites which entertain eating disorders. This can only be harmful to a child, even though they might think the contrary. In terms of sites which discuss and promote anorexia, children are encouraged to live an unhealthy lifestyle. These are places where kids can find their personal niche, which can sometimes be beneficial. Kids find these places where they can be themselves, with no limitations and no holding back. These are places where people can relate to them when other cannot. Is their any way to limit this problem? Yes. Parents should talk to their children and monitor their children's activity both online and off. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PmzUjK_79qE

The internet is a scary place. We all ask ourselves, is it harmful or helpful? In my opinion the scale is pretty even. Everything in life has its advantages and disadvantages. This is an issue we must take with deep consideration. Until the internet is regulated there is no real way to prevent all of these problems, however we can make an effort to curb them. 

Is the internet harmful or helpful?