Journal Entry #5 (Digital Wellness)

     I found this section to be very truthful. I know that digital technology has forced its way into our world and is now a big part of our culture but I find it surprising how attached to it some people become. Many people in the younger generation would rather lose their firstborn child than their Snapchat streak and I think it is really sad. What has our world become? Some people feel the need to update their Facebook status's so often that they do not even take the time to enjoy their self or take in the scenery around them. They are so focused on the digital world that they are "too busy" to stop and smell the roses. I find this so stupid because you only live once, you will never be in the same moment twice so you should make the most of every second. That post will always be there, you can see it later. That text will still be there in an hour or two and the person who sent it will understand that your phone does not become you and technology does not control your life. (If they do not comprehend this then you should distance yourself from that person anyway.) If you would rather look at your Instagram than life and the great unknown ahead of you that's your choice but I think it is a huge waste!

     The biggest issue for young people when it comes to Digital Wellness is knowing how to limit their use and do other things in life as well. A solution would be to leave your phone home every once in a while or even just turn it off. Even going a day without it every week or a few hours less every day. You have to get out and do things and get some exercise, obesity can be morbid so you may think you are in perfect health but chances, are you are not. Many young people also are under thee impression that things they see online are truly important or matter in the real world, but really- who cares! The less you use digital technologies the better, do not waste your time thinking these things are important. 

Assignment #2: The Pledge

 
     Many people let digital technology take over their lives. Obesity is a major problem especially here in New Brunswick. For example, my uncle Herb lives in Fredericton and tells me all the time about all the overweight people he had encountered. He also has noted that about 40% of the obese people he sees look to be in their teens or early twenties. Not only does he see these people walking up the street with some type of food in their hand, they are also glued to their electronic devices. I have seen people almost walk out in front of cars because they were paying more attention to their phones than the road. I have also seen a lot of people texting and driving. These technologies may be helpful in some aspects of life but they also pose a serious threat. Texting and driving is one of the highest causes of car accidents in Canada, right behind impaired driving. Obesity is another high cause of death in Canada, it is as dangerous and as lethal as car accidents. Both of these things can be linked to digital technologies and are both highly preventable.

     I pledge to further limit my use of technology to half an hour per day (should not be difficult considering how little I already use these services), decrease my television watching habits by up to 50%, and try to get at least 30 minutes of physical activity every day as well as eating a healthier diet. I will not let any of these things claim my life because they are all treatable and preventable. If you make habits at a young age they are easier to keep throughout your entire life. I plan to have a long and healthy life and I do not need computers or cellular devices to accomplice this goal.

Journal Entry #4 (Netiquette)

     Most people never bother to read the Terms of Agreement, therefore they have no idea what they just agreed to after clicking "I Agree". They could have just given Apple the permission to foreclose their homes or take fresh produce from their garden and no one would know any better. However, while it is just as stupid to agree to terms you have not read as to sign a legal document you have never seen, it is not all the fault of the reader (or non-reader) of the document because the companies who create these documents know that very few people will know what anything means anyway. Take geo-tracking for example, they say the purpose is to "improve our services, content and advertising," but what it really is is permission to track your phone wherever you go and keep track of your coordinates for wherever you go all the time. Unless you want to be fallowed everywhere you go all the time or agree to other terms such as these, you should always read everything you agree to, not just electronically, but in any form.

     The thing I found most surprising (while I am not at all shocked that companies are taking advantage of people who choose not to read their terms of service agreements) I am surprised at the amount of people who do not care what they agree to or what major corporations such as Apple can do to them just because they were too lazy to take a few minutes to read a document. I am quite sure that if everyone actually read the Terms of Agreement very few people would click "I Agree".

     The biggest issue when it comes to NETiquette among young people is that many people are not aware of the danger they may be in, never reveal any personal information or agree to terms you have not read. 

Online Discussion Boards (Assignment #3

How are many of the guidelines similar to how we expect other people to act if they were face to face? Explain. -These guide lines are very similar to if you were trying to talk face to face. After reading over all of the guide lines I can agree with all of them. I do not believe they are asking a lot out of anyone, and I think anyone with common sense would get that. For example: if some one typed in all capitals while commenting on something, it is similar to screaming in real life and really if we are all being honest here no sensible person likes being screamed at!!

Cite at least four guidelines that you feel are extremely helpful and necessary when interacting with other in an online discussion. Explain your choices. -Guide lines that i believe are most important: think that if nobody wants to be mean to so i think that is why i find this one important!! 10-This one again goes back to cyber bullying and how it absolutely should not happen!! 14- Everyone deserve forgiveness and if you do have a problem with them private message them!!! 15- It doesn't look good when you have grammatical errors so always try to correct them!!

Have you ever made comments on an online discussion board? If so, was it a positive or negative experience? Discuss. -I have never made comments on a discussion board and I don't know if i ever will. If i am being honest don't really want to just because what I've seen on Facebook and other groups are just people fighting and I know that there is probably more proper discussions then I've seen. So i think that if there was one were everyone isn't fighting I would be more then happy to join in on the discussion!!                                   

 

Do you think you would enjoy a course where you could discuss issues online with other students? Explain why or why not. - No I don't think I would like it as much as doing things in person. I think that it is important to do hands on work. I do better when doing face- face stuff work and believe that I would not do as good. I guess I would try though, maybe it would work out and I just don't know it yet!!

ONLINE STANDARDS OF SEVICE USE (Assignment One)

    1) Find 5 companies that use the terms and service agreements or have major conditions before use (ex. iTunes, Facebook, etc...)

 Five companies that have terms and service agreements or have major conditions are: Facebook, iTunes, Instagram, Netflix, Sony (PlayStation Network)

2) Search the internet for forums discussing safety of terms and service agreements and see if you can find FIVE services that teens should look into further or consider further before continuing to sign up. The Internet will have some sources that are very credible and others that are not, so make sure to find sources that look professional and don't take "Sally from Texas" as a professional unless you feel credentials have been proven.

One company whose terms of service you have probably already agreed to but should not is iTunes. The reason it is so long is because of all the ridiculous things they want you to agree to, such as geo tracking. This means that once you agree, Apple is able to see your precise location. The location data your phone has been storing is sent to a hidden database file and syncs the information to your computer every time you connect your phone to it. Basically, this means that somewhere hidden on your computer is a log of everywhere you've been with a coordinate and a time stamp. Apple says that the purpose of geo tracking is to "improve our services, content and advertising," but I think they're just nosey (or they're trying to take over the world.) 

3) Report your findings in a blog post. Title it "Online Standards of Service Use: (Assignment #1)". Remember to always provide links to your sources.

Digital Etiquette, Assignment #2: "Netiquette" Do As I Say

Make a list of FIVE reasons/facts that will make YOU choose the right way of doing things in digital society.

- If you do choose to do things the wrong way in a digital society you could possibly end up going to jail!!

- I don't want to get into trouble for what I do online.

- I want to make the online world better.

- I want to be respected and will respect other people online.

- The people who make the websites work hard at them and I want to keep there website a safe place online.

"Assignment: Digital Rights and Responsibilities"