Part 1: Depending on whether or not my sister or mom lets me borrow their computer, decides whether or not I get online. I am usually online probably a couple hours a day. I get on facebook and occasionally will finish the competition with my mom on bubble spinner. I basically never get online at school. During Internet is the only class where I am actually online and sometimes at lunch when I will periodically check my facebook from my phone. I probably do about 20% of computer time on homework. Chatting with friends, updating my profile, and checking other's profiles all go together and i would probably spend 75% of my time doing that. Another 5% goes to extras like playing games and downloading, or listening to music.
I think that 90% of people online is a realistic representation of the American community. I agree. A lot of kids are online alot. Either checking facebook, myspace, or any other way they stay in touch with friends and family. It is like our community because I know that when people are bored, or sick, they go online. Its a very easy way to spend time, or make the time pass faster.
Part 2: There are many ways that media can be incorporated in the classroom, but the school limits the means to access them. I think that the teachers using technology is a great way for students to pay more attention and to learn more because they are used to being in a place where technology is so common, so chalkboards really do not help. The most common things that can be used on a phone are calculators, and calendars because you can use a calculator for tests and homework and you can use the calendar to schedule in important dates and tests that you need to remember. Also, the web is a useful tool for researching as well as saving notes, bookmarking websites, etc. Well the least common should be texting and getting on the web, but those are the most common. I think that all grade levels are capable of using technology as long as it is not abused. I think that there should be a limit in middle school, but once you reach highschool you should be a little more free to use technology in the classroom, but of course with rules.
Part 3: I think that a profile is more your own than your bedroom and other places because you are truly the one that runs your profile. Yeah, your bedroom is your own, but you don't own it, your parents do because they bought the house. If you don't have locks on doors to your room, or any kind of privacy in your house, then a profile is way more your own. I think that they are good because you have your password and sign in information and can change it anytime. They are a good thing to have and you can access it most anywhere. There are places that are like online diaries basically where you can describe your feelings and thoughts without having to speak them aloud to your parents. I think that parents see them more as a bad thing, but when you think about it, your profile shows your image, and how you want to be portrayed. You have information that you want people to know, sometimes pictures, decorations, and they all describe your personality. A diary can easily be found, but you can control who sees your profile. You choose to accept and delete friends, and which pictures and pages are private to only you and your friends.
The girls that were fighting in the video, well we saw their function. They turned to violence to try and solve the problem. There is lots of drama that can happen on websites and its brought into the school environment. They probably got in a lot of trouble from the school board and their parents not only for the fight, but also for posting or saying mean things on the websites. The situation played out very badly because someone decided that it was time to say something, and when they did, things got out of hand fast. Stuff like that should be taken care of outside of school. The person who filmed it and uploaded it really set more fire to the situation. After the fight, I'm sure the girls were all very angry and probably feeling guilty about what had happened. Colleges and other places see those things on your records even though you may not know it at the time. By video taping it, they were in the action just as much as the girls fighting. Uploading it was even worse because unless they delete it, it will always be there and the girls will have to watch the video and feel guilty and angry about what happened all over again. The person who video taped it was probably a drama seeking person, and she should have gotten in just as much trouble as the girls who were fighting. I know that the parents of the girls were horrified. I don't think that any parent expects their kids to start fighting at school or to fuel a fire. I bet they were disappointed and angry first because the fight happened and second because no one tried to stop it. The parents, I feel bad for because they probably think it is their fault and its not.
Part 4: There are many positives and negatives between being a famous person and a regular person. Some positives are that you can create an image for yourself for others to see, and you can actually start a career by posting videos online. If you monitor your hits, you could actually become famous that way. Some negatives include not having a regular life. The difference between a famous person and a regular person is that a famous persons life is always watched, by media, by photographers, by people, by everyone. Autumn Edows is a good example because that is not even a real name. People knew her as Autumn Edows and not as her real name. Even though she was more like Autumn Edows, she only loved the attention of it. Its hard to change that personality into a regular person if you ever decide to be one again.
Part 5: Parents play a big role. My parents trust me. Yes they are concerned and they look at the information I have posted, but they are not constantly in my face watching my every move. Its common sense. To me, parents do need to keep a close eye on what is going on, but without ruining their relationship with their kids. You have to gain trust from your parents first. Parents shouldn't ask for kids passwords unless they think something is seriously wrong. That's an invasion of privacy, even more so than going through a kid's room or personal belongings. I think that parents need to monitor actions, but I also think that kids should let their parents in more and talk to them about the things that might be going on. Some factors might be trust, your group of friends, and how you act, because those are all key points in your personality.
Part 6: Long term consequences might include things such as losing friends, losing scholarships, not caring about school, not caring about sports, not taking things seriously enough, and pushing everyone you love away from you. You can severely hurt someone by the things you post online. What the popular girl did to the boy was wrong, she boosted his self esteem and then crushed it completely. The kid committed suicide, not his parents, the girl, and all the other people who were mean to him have to live with that for the rest of their lives. Especially the parents because losing a child has to be extremely hard. Short term would also be losing your friends, and slowly reaching your breaking point.
Part 7: I have thought about disconnecting. I think it would be extremely hard. Outside of school, I would have no way to talk to my friends. I think that it would be better in the long run because people wouldn't be so absorbed in the drama, but its truly difficult. I think that cell phones and computers are great tools when used wisely and responsibly. Disconnecting completely would be a waste because you know that when you see a cell phone or computer you will want to go back. I would enjoy not having so much drama, but I would miss being entertained, not being able to talk to my friends, and not being able to express myself.
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