Blog Post #4: We are the Future

When it comes to the subject of being cautious about what you put on the Internet, many children choose to not focus on this aspect. Students in college and young adults are more aware about this matter because they know that potential employers may take to their social network page to see the kind of person they are. It is very possible that if they see a picture that doesn't reflect their potential employee's attitude or personality in the best light that they will not consider him or her to work for them. Now let's fast-forward twenty years from now when students who are now in high school will be the ones hiring individuals. It seems pretty evident that if they see a picture of a future employee consuming alcohol on the Web they will not judge them on that. They would not judge them because it will be highly likely that they have had pictures of themselves drinking alcohol posted on the Internet. So is it okay to disregard someone's not so flattering actions posted on the Internet? Many would argue that it is not okay because doing these things such as having your picture taken partying and drinking and having them posted up on the Internet makes your unprofessional life available for everyone to see and this does not reflect back in a positive way. Others would contradict this notion by saying that just because some pictures are posted on the Web does not mean that you can judge a person. People who are the future generation would generally make this statement because they know they have experienced the same situation. I would have to say that I agree that you cannot a judge a person's capability or skills based on what you see on the Internet.

Blog Post #3: Cyberbullying

The scholarly article that I am going to discuss focuses on online bullying or "cyberbullying". I found this article through Academic Search Complete, through EBSCOhost. "Cyberbullying" was published in Education Digest in January 2011. Author Jennifer Holladay discusses the severity of cyberbullying and how it affects children. It also discusses measures that are being taken in certain school districts to prevent it.
Holladay starts the article off by discussing the tragic suicide of a young student, Phoebe Prince, due to online bullying. Phoebe had experienced depression before she committed suicide. This shows that online bullying has such a severe effect on the minds of young children. The fact that this bullying is done online makes it even worse because it is open for the whole world to witness. The article mentions the delicate balance between school districts being careful about not hindering freedom of speech and being able to make a positive difference when it comes to preventing or ending cyberbullying. Certain school districts are making an effort to educate parents and teachers about the devastating effects that online bullying can have. The author states that many parents are unaware of how much time their children spend online and what they are doing. The author makes the conclusion that preventing cyberbullying and punishing the offenders is not necessarily an easy task because most punishments deal with the suspension of the student, but that doesn't always prove to end cyberbullying. Instead, cyberbullies can find other ways to bully.
This article makes a good rhetorical impression because it includes quotes from individuals in various school districts and people who study cyberbullying. This makes the article more credible, therefore appealing to ethos. The article can be found through EBSCOhost and it can also be accessed online through the website it was published at, www.teachingtolerance.org.

Blog Post #2: So, What's the Problem?

A question that we should ask ourselves about the young generation and social networks in the cyber world is why do people expose so much private information about themselves? If you look at this issue from an outside perspective, it would seem absolutely foolish to publish personal information about yourself such as your age, email, gender, where you're from and sometimes even your phone number. Many young people Tweet or update their statuses about where they are at, who they are with and what they are doing. One reason why people do this is because they know their friends can view this information about them. They want their others to know that they are doing fun things and are with their friends, having a good time. So why do people do this? One reason could be because it boosts their confidence and let's people know that they're having fun. They want attention from people and it feels good when they are acknowledged.
A reason why the younger generation makes it a point to share their personal lives through social networks is because it may be a way to submerge themselves into a world that is "private" and just about them. These social networks allow them to share their personal activities with their friends and followers sometimes without their information being under the surveillance of their parents or family. It seems like it is a way for them to have their own privacy. A young user of these social networks could feel a sense of maturity by knowing that they are letting the world know about the life that they are living; it makes them feel more grown up.
The last reason that I have to answer this question is that many people just feel comfortable letting everyone know what they are up to. They may have their Tweets protected and their privacy on Facebook may be updated so they feel it is fine that their friends know what they are doing. So is there anything really wrong with that? I would have to say no as long as you know that your friends or family members are viewing your information and not random people.

Blog Post #1

Millions of young children across America use the Internet to stay connected with their friends. Children have joined social networks so they feel included in the lives of their friends. One must ask the question how much information is too much information? How do young children know they are sharing too much personal information? I think it is very important for parents to monitor their child's activities on the Internet because they are the ones who can protect the privacy of their child.
So how exactly can parents prevent their children from being "over-exposed" on the Internet? I believe the proper way to do this is educating children from a young age. The more kids know about the possible dangers in the cyber world, the more they will be aware of what they should and should not post on the Internet.