"Growing Up Online"

The issues raised in the program are real interesting. Of course I already knew these issues existed, but it's good to be reminded of just how pressing of a problem it is. I vaguely remember what life was before the internet. But it was indeed very different. But ever since the internet and computers became easily accessible, it has become an integral part of my life. I am sure that rings true to many other people around the world, especially for youngsters of recent generations. As it is mentioned in the presentation, the internet allows us to openly and easily connect with other people that live not just a couple of miles away, but also with people in other countries around the world. Privacy is no longer once as valuable as it once was. People upload on various social networks pretty much their lives for everyone to look at. However, I see the internet as a double-edged sword. It can be beneficial at times, but at others… not so much.
What really stood out to me the most was that one of the focuses wasn't so much the risk of child predators online (however, it doesn’t change the fact that it is still a grave problem), but cyberbullying. Bullying has always existed, but now with the introduction of the internet, it has become the bullies’ new weapon. It wasn’t until recently that cyberbullying became a big topic on the news media. I will say that I find that very disappointing, since apparently people do not seem to realize just how much ill-intentioned words can hurt a person, whether it is spoken verbal or online. Due to the internet being so public and easily accessible, many ill-intentioned people use that to their advantage. No longer do they have to insult someone in their face; they can comfortably speak trash to anyone in the comfort of their home and even worse, do so anonymously. I will use Tumblr, a blogging site as an example. People take advantage of the anonymous feature of sending "asks" to spew out insults towards the respective blogger. I am an avid user of Tumblr and haven't fallen victim to that myself, but I have seen many blogs get attacked in that very way. I wouldn't be surprised if some of the people behind the blogs already have problems in their life, only to have their life made worse by cyberbullying. As mentioned in the program, the most scary aspect about it that you never know who it really is that's doing it. It could have been your best friend for all you know. It is downright unsettling. It makes you feel as if no one can be trusted, no one for you to have sound conversation with. Unfortunately, I’m sure many of you have heard of the most dire consequences of cyberbullying, whether you experienced it personally or not: suicide. It is most sickening and inhuman to drive a person to commit such a thing and sadly cyberbullying is leading many people to do so faster. The internet has made it easier now for people to be driven to that point by the constant insults from people that could very well be people you care about. However, I am not saying everything about the internet is bad. In the same way that people can easily communicate trash to others, people can also comfort each other and become and unite friends from around the world. Everyone can instantly communicate with each other in the comfort of your home. I will end on this note: the internet is merely a powerful tool that people wield. It becomes bad or good depending on how that person wields it.