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