Module #10

In "The Internet of Things",  Dr. John Barrett talks about how in the future, we can be connected to anything and everything with the use of smaller and smaller microtechnology. He tells about all the good that can come from this, which I think can be very helpful in our everyday lives. He also tells about ways that it can cause harm to us. 

The internet today already comes with many headaches and problems that without the internet, we wouldn't have to deal with; but the good that the internet creates, I believe, far outweighs the bad. I don't think anybody would argue that we should get rid of the internet because we are able to work through the negative issues in order to fully utilize it.

In reguards to cyberbullying, it is just like any other problem we've had. There was fraud before cyberfraud, identity theft before cyber-identity theft, and there was bullying before there was cyberbullying. Although the internet of things may come with some negative issues, we as a society has always figured out how to deal with them, and we will continue to do so. And I for one am excited to see what the future will bring.

Featured Art of the Week

Illustration by Sean Kane

Number of children who are victims of cyberbullying doubles in a year

Poll finds 35% of 11- to 17-year-olds bullied online, as fears grow over number of young teenagers using dating app Tinder

FULL STORY

Can a conversation stop the problem

School seminars to tackle cyberbullying

Do you think that seminars in school could help those who are affected by cyber bullying to come forward or those who bully, to stop? Or do you think it would take more?

In the News

Does Iggy Azalea’s Halloween Costume Triumph Over Cyber-Bullying or Normalize It?

I think it's awesome that she is able to laugh about it rather than get upset over it, what do you think?

Featured Art of the Week

by Kristine Webb

Module #7

Murmur Study from Christopher Baker on Vimeo.

We tend to think of Twitter posts and Facebook status updates where we share how we currently are feeling as something sort of temporary; our feelings change so will our status. I find it very interesting that Baker takes these "feelings" and turns them into something tangible which can be archived.

 It's also fascinating that the installation is continually growing and updating in real time while being viewed in the gallery. It would really be something you would want to view and read for a while rather than most art in galleries where one may look at a painting for a few seconds or minutes then move on to the next.

I would really enjoy seeing this "waterfall of feelings" in person.

Twitter Is Turning Into a Cyberbullying Playground

Module #6

1). Why do you believe that the selfie has taken off as a worldwide phenomenon?

I think selfies are so popular for three reasons. 1. We have cameras with us at all times now. 2. The more we see them, the more we are alright with taking one ourselves rather than viewing them as narcissistic. 3. Feedback! Humans love talking about themselves and getting positive feedback about their looks.

2). Can a selfie be a work of art? Why or why not?

I think selfies themselves are not necessarily considered art but I think anything can be art if put into that context. For instance, my featured artist, on 9-7-14 used her selfies to create very meaningful art.

Module #5

Zeynep Tufekci explains in his essay that teenagers are not becoming anti-social because they're using social media; they're anti-social because they're teenagers and social media is a way to help them through it. Social media definitely has it's up sides for helping youth connect; however, it is not always used with the best intentions. Teens feel free to say what they think on social media because there is a level of anonymity, but this also means that they feel they can get away with bullying others using social media as a platform. Since they can bully others even while being alone, they don't think they can get caught and they don't have to see the victim being affected making them feel empathy for the person. Below is a chart of statistics showing how prevalent cyber-bullying has become. 

Statistics

Featured art of the week

Drawing by Kristina Webb

News

Students take stand against cyber bullying

Featured art of the week

By unknown,

Facebook Anti-cyberbullying plan

Facebook-launches-anti-cyberbullying-initiative

Featured Art of the Week

Illustration by Michael Meister

Winners of National Cyberbullying PSA Contest

Featured art of the week

Illustration by Lillian Chan

Against the Rules

According to stopbullying.com, 

Cyberbullying often violates the terms of service established by social media sites and internet service providers.

• Review their terms and conditions or rights and responsibilities sections. These describe content that is or is not appropriate.
• Visit social media safety centers to learn how to block users and change settings to control who can contact you.
• Report cyberbullying to the social media site so they can take action against users abusing the terms of service.  

Featured art of the week

Here is an article which I think is worth reading.

MICA student turns cyber-bullying into art

Module #2 Question

Describe how your blog topic relates to a particular technology, invention,

or a behavior from the history of media.
 How has social media changed how we think 

about, interact with or respond to your topic.
How does your topic relate to the

history of media?

Although bullying has always existed, cyber-bullying began in the late 90s when social media first arrived.

In 2000, a survey found that 6% of the young people in the survey had experienced some form of harassment including threats and negative rumors and 2% had suffered distressing harassment. 

(by the Crimes Against Children Research Center at the University of New Hampshire)

In 2011 a report found that cyber-bullying is a problem that affects almost half of all American teens.(The National Crime Prevention Council)

Now, in 2014 more people use social media than ever before, and the numbers just keep growing. 

Any form of social media (facebook, instagram, snapchat, vine, blogs, youtube, texting, e-mailing, gaming, ect.) can be used for cyberbullying. 

The answer is so simple! Isn't it?

Though this picture may be funny to some, it is very inaccurate and hurtful to victims of cyber bullying

Many people think that cyber bullying can be easily remedied  if they would just....turn off the computer, block that person on their phone, "unfriend" them, and so on. However, people can be bullied even if the don't have a phone or computer!

Much of cyber bullying is not sent directly to the victim but rather to mutual friends, classmates, entire schools, or even entire communities. 

Imagine you have no social media, but many people at school do. A cyber bully can post something negative about you and send it out to the whole school, maybe a secret about you or a rumor they made up. The next day, you get to school, people are looking at you as you walk by, laughing and making comments, not wanting to hang out or be friends with you. It would be very difficult to go to school, let alone defend yourself to everyone.

This is why cyber bullying can't just be "fixed" by walking away from the screen.

Let me know your thoughts, whether you agree or disagree I'm happy to hear them.

What is Cyber Bullying?

art by kwokkinyuen

Cyberbullying is bullying that takes place using electronic technology. Electronic technology includes devices and equipment such as cell phones, computers, and tablets as well as communication tools including social media sites, text messages, chat, and websites.