My Designs.. Drafts

So it has taken me ages to come up with my 4 icons that relate to the ETS, my industries are water, gas, agriculture and transport..

I've decided that I'm going to use a plane for my transport, a piece of wheat for my agriculture, a water drop for my water, and a reversed upside down water drop for my gas icon.. I feel these simple icons can demonstrate my industries. I'm not a very good drawer so I had to practise for ages over and over again, it got to the point that when I asked my mum which water drop or wheat piece looked better she couldn't tell the difference, overall I am happy about my icons.

Below and above are samples of my pictures and some different designs and ideas that I had on my icons before deciding the final ones. =]

Graphic Design... Illustrator first go...

After many attempts this have been decided by me as the best one for my first go.. Im not pro but I'm hoping to be a bit better by the end of the semester.. haha..

My journey so far... and a lil bit more..

This part of my blog will now change from Learning with Technology to Graphic Design 1.2. I’ve decided that my blog will go through my learning with me, changing from each unit as I go through them. So I will always have a record of my years at uni. =] The main focus for my GD class revolves around the Emissions Trading Scheme or better known as the ETS. The ETS is a concept that the Government wants to put into ACTION, so that it can reduce greenhouse gases and they feel with the concept of ETS, they can do this by putting a price on carbon. By putting a price on carbon and limiting how much greenhouse gases are admitted into the atmosphere, they can reduce the changes that the gases have on the world, the biggest affect they have is the changing the world’s climate. The ETS is a fairly simple idea, businesses and companies have the opportunity to buy carbon cards and this card allows you to emit a certain amount of carbon into the atmosphere. There is only a certain amount of carbon cards, so once they have all been bought, they can only be traded and bought out between companies and anyone else who wants to own one. By placing the ETS into play we can reduce not only the amount of damage the carbon and other gases are doing, but we can help stop the severity of climate change around the world.

Magazine Opinion Piece..

Moving past the digital divide
Teachers and educators are not the only ones realising that there is a digital divide, not only between students and teachers but with other professions. It is becoming more and more common to have a required knowledge of computers and all things digital. Most people wouldn’t even know what a digital divide is because they have been brought into the world of technology from when they were born, everything is natural to them. But a “digital divide refers to the gap between people with effective access to digital and information technology, and those with very limited or no access at all. It includes the imbalance both in physical access to technology and the resources and skills needed to effectively participate as a digital citizen.” [1]


To be able to move past this digital divide we first must understand why there is even a divide. Those in first world countries have the advantage as they have all easier access to such technologies, but although some countries may be first world, they still have poverty stricken areas and people struggling to makes ends meat and can’t afford the luxury of such technological advances such as computers. Now you have to take into account all the second world countries, some are up and coming and slowly starting make their way up to first world countries such as China, these countries do have the access to such technologies and the ability to effectively use them. Although China does have access to these vices there are some who don’t. Lastly the third world countries, those who are in power and wealthy are able to have the teachings and access to use digital devices but the majority of the people that live in those countries are in poverty and struggle to feed themselves. Below is a picture of the world map highlighting the first, second and third world countries.




· Blue indicates all the 1st world countries.
· Red indicates all the 2nd world countries.
· Green indicates all the 3rd world countries.












As you can see the vast majority of the world is highlighted green indicating that those countries and their populations are the ones most affected by the digital divide. While the 1st and 2nd world countries have higher access to such technologies with only a few minor technology restrictions on access to such technologies.


Now we must find out how we can move past this ‘divide’, debate has raged on exactly what the main problems with the divide is, in the article titled “ICT Inclusion and Gender: Tensions in Narratives of Network Engineer Training” written by Hazel Gillard, Nathalie Mitev, and Susan Scott from the Department of Information Systems, London School of Economics and Political Science, London, United Kingdom, states that “Social commentators, such as Castells (2000), associate nonaccess to ICTs with risk of exclusion from new technological developments and consequent marginalization in the new economy. As the digital divide debate has progressed, there is realization that the core issues are about more than just access to equipment.” [2] As a result “efforts are being made to tackle inequities in ICT opportunities through, for instance, community-based Internet access and training programs. To balance the divide, communities of the population perceived most at risk of digital exclusion are targeted through partnerships between government, ICT businesses, and educational institutions in the United Kingdom, to acquire essential ICT and employability skills.” [3] This information that the article provides, gives the reader a brief idea of what to expect to move past the divide between those with digital literacy and those that don’t. Although this is only one step in moving past this growing digital divide, not only with those that have access but to give an idea on what is expected to make an impact overall, the focus being greater training and access to such means that they are able to better themselves not only in their careers but in your personal life.


Overall the article has a main focus of analysis that our ICT skills need improving and more and more careers are requiring even just a basic knowledge and because of this, shortages in fields that require a high knowledge are now suffering. This article also discusses that females are less skilled in the world of ICT than men. This isn’t surprising when you realise that there are a lot more housewives then housemen and this makes a big difference when it comes to learning skills that require it for a job or career, as men being in opposite role as the breadwinner needs these skills to better support their families and lifestyles. This is just one part of what is required to help move past the great digital divide. Big changes would have to be made all over the world, our economy could receive downfalls and problems but if we are to remove the divide and in the end better ourselves as a whole. The information provided from Wikipedia and the journal article “ICT Inclusion and Gender: Tensions in Narratives of Network Engineer Training” give only a brief offering of information on what is the digital divide and ways we can overcome it. Only with more research and patience can we realise this ourselves and move forward and cross the digital divide where we can move to a more equal opportunity world, not only for first world countries but also second and third. Thus as a result it could help bring countries closer and may end conflict across the world, but this is just a theory based upon my findings.






References
[1] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_divide
[2] [3] Gillard, Hazel, Nathalie Mitev, and Susan Scott “ICT Inclusion and Gender: Tensions in Narratives of Network Engineer Training.” Information Society 23, no. 1 (January 2007): 19-37. Academic Search Premier, EBSCO host (accessed July 29, 2010)

References Topic 2..

[1] "I gave up MySpace for Lent: New Teachers and Social Networking Site" Journal of Adolescent and Adult Literacy (November 2008) : 245 -247 Academic Search Premier EBSCO host (accessed July 12, 2010)

[2] "How to win at Social Networking." Futurist 43, no. 4 (July 2009) : 9. Academic Search Premier EBSCO host (accessed July 15, 2010)

[3] Keech, Linda. "Be Socially Savvy."Nursing Managment UK 17, no. 4 (July 2010) : 11. Academic Search Premier, EBSCO host(accessed July 15, 2010)

[4] Tanase, S. "When Web 2.0 sneezes... everyone gets sick." Engineering & Technology (17509637)s, no. 5 (March 27, 2010) : 28-29. Academic Search Premier, EBSCO host (accessed July 17, 2010)

Final one...

“When web 2.0 sneezes... everyone gets sick” is the title of the article that I decided to finish researching social networking on. The article discusses the problem that yes web 2.0 and all social networking sites have grown in popularity over the years but also that so has the number of crimes occurred via those sites. “So why are Web 2.0 attacks on the rise? It all comes down to economies of scale and effectiveness: cybercriminals will always go where the crowds are.” [4] All different problems have occurred such as viruses and worms that send to all your friends and infect their accounts at the same time. Selling passwords and private details are on the rise but why is this happening and how can we protect ourselves? Simple hard passwords and anti-virus software but even then there is a chance you can no longer be safe. Although web 2.0 is extremely popular and social networking taking the world by storm, there appears to be numerous problems to this growing attraction with only a few minor benefits. But even though I have come to this conclusion I would also believe that if you know how to protect yourself online then there is no problem with using such sites.

Nurses? What next?

For my topic I wanted to look into different areas of social networking and who it does affect, I found this journal article on how social networking can affect nurses. I found it quite interesting, although short it has I believe a powerful impact on you, I never thought that social networking sites could be such a problem for nurses. The author Linda Keech was quoted saying

“Nurses and midwives who use these sites to engage in conversations or share files online must be careful, therefore, that they do not breach the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NM C) (2008a) code, which states that nurses must ‘respect people’s right to confidentiality’ and ‘uphold the reputation of the profession at all times’. If information that identifies patients is put on the internet, patient confidentiality has been breached. This principle is not only enshrined in the midwives’ code of conduct, but is also part of every employee’s duty of confidence, and those who breach patient confidentiality in this way face disciplinary action, perhaps leading to dismissal.” [3]

It’s hard not hard to believe that anyone hasn’t done the same thing, whinges about work or had a issue that they have at work, they published on their facebook account. But just like teachers, nurses also have to be careful about their reputations and careers. So in the end is it just safer to not have a social networking page? Evidence suggests that it would be, but some are fighting this as they feel that just because you have a career in the public eye doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be able to have the benefits of socialising on Facebook or MySpace just like every other person that doesn’t have that problem.

Research Analysis Topic 2..

“Social networking over the internet has taken the world by storm- revolutionizing the way people communicate by allowing users to publish their private lives on a world stage. A study conducted by the Pew Research Centre revealed that: As of August 2009, Facebook was the most popular online social network for American adults.” [1] With positives of social networking comes the problems and flaws that the majority of users are unaware of; the articles that make up the basis of this analysis explain in greater detail just what can go wrong. The first journal article is “Friend request or Foe? Confirming the misuse of internet and social networking sites by domestic violence perpetrators” By Laurie L. Baughman, who is a Senior Attorney at the Pennsylvania Coalition against domestic violence. The second journal article is “I gave up MySpace for Lent: New Teachers and Social Networking Sites” By William Kist a teacher at Kent State University, Kent, Ohio. Both articles relate to the problems of social networking but take on completely different aspects.


“Friend request or Foe? Confirming the misuse of internet and social networking sites by domestic violence perpetrators” is an article written by a senior attorney on the use of social networking in domestic violence situations. The author discusses the vulnerability of a victim of domestic violence to be further harassed or bullied through such mediums, as FaceBook and MySpace the world’s most used online social networks. “The use of social networking sites is especially appealing because users can avail themselves to many different applications in one place; social networking sites rely on connections and communication, so they encourage you to provide a certain amount of personal information. It is this personal information- both held by the site provider and posted either by the user or by friends and family of that user- that can be source of weakness for victims of domestic violence.” [2] This provides evidence that there are flaws of the social networking sites and gives an example of what can happen for it to become an issue not only for victims of domestic violence, but for the perpetrators who use this aid to follow their victim without leaving their computer. Although this article does illustrate some flaws to the system it also made note that there are positives to the use of social networking to help a victim of domestic violence.


The journal article “Friend request or Foe” by Laurie L. Baughman did display negatives of social networking but it also presents positives to social networking to help victims of domestic violence. In recent years with the growing problem of domestic violence the way we use internet has changed to help suit the demanding need for support and advice to aid victims in all areas of domestic violence. “Victims of domestic violence indicated that they use the internet for money management or online banking, to search for housing, to look for a job” [3] as well joining online social networks for support and advice. So there are defiantly both benefits and flaws discussed in the journal article by Laurie L. Baughman but this article only covers one part of the problems of social networking, the article “I gave up MySpace for Lent: New Teachers and Social Networking Sites” By William Kist covers a different area of the problems of social networking.



One of the topics raised in the article “I gave up MySpace for Lent” is the rising concern for preservice teachers and their use of social networking. “Just as we stand on the brink of what may, in the next decade or so, be the first real evolution of public schools in close to 100 years, we are telling teachers “You can’t participate in Web 2.0 because it’s too dangerous.”” [4] The fear factor with web 2.0 which mainly consist of social networking sites is that if a student finds a teachers profile and there is inappropriate material found it will have serious consequences on the teacher’s career. “Principles are googling for information on undergrads before they are allowed into their buildings for student teaching.” [5] This links to the issue of online social networking and what is appropriate for our teachers to be using and what the rising problems and issues for social networking. But although the article “I gave up MySpace for Lent” has a negative side to social networking it also has a comparison side where there are positives to having a connection with students via Web 2.0 sites.


One of the positives introduced by the article which has a encouraging attitude in the way it may help students better themselves and achieve a better result, it may even help students personally make them feel better about themselves because someone does care about them. One of the students interviewed for the article states “Why society is so frightened of teachers having genuine relationships with students (mentors and friends). Developing a trust in their teachers and having a genuine relationship with a teacher helps a student to get the best education he or she can, because it helps the teacher to understand the individual student and his or her needs. If we forget the basic cause of education, it’s all a lost cause.” [6] Some students need extra help or support and this article takes that into mind as it approaches both sides of the issues of social networking.


This analysis as demonstrated that social networking is not a simple issue. There are many different aspects, both problems and benefits. As shown that although domestic violence has been taken to a whole new level with the use of social networking, being able to track down and further harm victims but that there is a positive and that there are available supports groups, that use online social networking sites. I have also argued that there are problems with social networking sites for future and current teachers, with the danger of embarrassing or inappropriate pictures or comments made but that the use of social networking, could also be a powerful tool to help bring teachers and students together, thus resulting in better relationships and in the end helping the students achieve more in their education. The implications of this issue are that we must be aware of what and how we present ourselves online, not only to protect ourselves but anyone that may have consequences from our actions. Our next steps should be to further educate and display a positive image across the internet, and to also have the knowledge and means to protect ourselves better online.

References

[1] [2] [3]

Bauchman. Laurie L. "FRIEND REQUEST OR FOE? Confirming the misuse of internet and social networking sites by domestic violence perpetrators" Widener Law Journal 19, no 3 (June 2010) : 933-966 Academic Search Premier EBSCO host (accessed July 12, 2010)

[4] [5] [6]

Kist. William. "I gave up MySpace for Lent: New Teachers and Social Networking Site" Journal of Adolescent and Adult Literacy (November 2008) : 245 -247 Academic Search Premier EBSCO host (accessed July 12, 2010)

Friendship? Friend Request?

So I found this journal article that relates solely on the positives of social networking, it’s called How to Win at Social Networking by communications scholar Jeffery Hancock, who believes “Cyberspace friendships form over common interests just as they do in real life.” [2] Without the use of social networking sites it’s harder for some to find common interests, with having a social page it makes it easier to find those common interests because they are listed for your taking to do with what you need. Social networking can have a positive influence in your life, yes you must be careful but this article demonstrates that it can be fun and can lead into more powerful things like love or a great friendship. With greater research it has been found that emotions can be travelled along social networking sites that you don’t have to constantly be in front of a person to display this. Some may fear that this is fallback and will limit face to face contact and more time in front of a computer. This article shows that there are positives to social networking you just may not have realised it yet.

Domestic Violence?....

Today I found another article that highlighted the issue that I am researching on social networking that included both positives and negatives. The article is titled “Friend Request or Foe? Confirming the misuse of internet and social networking sites by domestic violence perpetrators” it was written by Laurie L. Baughman who is a senior attorney at the Pennsylvania Coalition against Domestic Violence. The article describes situations that have resulted, from domestic violence and victims, and perpetrators and the use of social networking sites, such as FaceBook and MySpace. The problems included victims that continued the use of their “personal sites” i.e. FaceBook accounts, twitter and MySpace etc, and the person responsible for hurting them continuing to lay abuse on them via their social web pages. Other prominent problems that have been highlighted are that perpetrators are finding their victims and in some instances confrontations ending in death. Although the article has a main focus on negatives of social networking and victims, it also has a small part dedicated to what some of the positives that social networking has with victims. It has been discovered that more and more victims are becoming involved into online support groups and finding help through that way. Overall I found this article as a powerful force; I never knew all the things that could go wrong with social networking and victims of domestic violence, makes you want to be more careful on the internet.

My Research Analysis

For my first research topic I chose the issue of cyber bullying, this is a serious and fast emerging issue. I also chose this topic because I have dealt first hand with cyber bullying and I felt at ease writing something that I feel familiar with and something that connects both education and technology. Cyber bullying has become an increasingly common occurrence in schools over the recent years, with a recorded number of deaths from it as well as the rise of depression in teenagers, and the joining of suicide groups that are believed to be linked to cyber bullying. I decided to focus my research that links with the question “What is cyber bullying and how is it portrayed by the media?” and my research together.

My first entry is titled Cyber Bullying 101, which I decided to focus mainly on what exactly cyber bullying is so that I could better define and analysis my work afterwards. I also decided to mix this with a YouTube clip that I found of where a 13 year old girl committed suicide after a boy turned nasty on the internet. The YouTube clip had Tyra Banks a well known female role model for young girls worldwide discussing the effects of cyber bullying. I believe the choice of Tyra Banks doing this report was made so that the media could use a powerful influence to help put a stop to or help reduce cyber bullying.

But despite using a well known influence and telling the story of a young girl’s death they didn’t use statistics or even tell the viewers that the person behind the cyber bullying attacks was put behind bars, convicted, regrets what they did, etc/ There was no sorry closure to the attack. But they did promote a positive view when the mother of the daughter said “I am no longer full of hate towards them.” Them of course being the people involved in the attack, the mother also states that she now goes into schools across America and talks about cyber bullying and help try to put an end to it. This clip would have been better with the use of statistics or telling if a sizeable amount of laws or legislations being put into place as a result of the death of this girl, but they fail to do this.

My second entry focuses on some of the methods that are being used on preventing cyber bullying, which is why there is now cyber bullying prevention ads. The ad that I have used states “If you wouldn’t say it in person why say it online?”(1) It says this after a girl gets up on stage and gives a nasty speech on another girl in her class. Although this ad is eye opening and pretty much has a wow factor, it doesn’t have the correct wording in place to fully help prevent cyber bullying. The ad says “if you wouldn’t say it in person why say it online,” (1) but truth be told a lot of teenagers do say a lot of nasty stuff in person and that is called bullying. When doing it online is cyber bullying. The media’s approach to this should have realised that there is a difference and it would have been appropriate to suit the need to prevent and discourage cyber bullying, hence not making the prevention ad as effective as it could possibly be.

My third and fourth journal entries are similar with one being a report presented by A Current Affair that showed a school yard attack by a group of girls with one victim and was recorded by another student on their mobile and it was posted on YouTube. This report is different from previous entries as it has used an anti-bullying counsellor, Ms Susan Berne and she tells what types of things that appeal to cyber bullies and that is the ability to be anonymous, as it is real power control thing. The other entry being a newspaper report that has used information about what the government is doing to help conquer this overwhelming problem in Australia.

With the way the media presents this ACA report it appears that they are trying to show just what is occurring on our streets and in our schools. The ACA report is more for just raising awareness and not to try and change the public's view on the matter, unlike the ad prevention YouTube clip. It becomes obvious that it is more of an awareness report and the report ends with tips for both the parents and the victims of bullying. The newspapers media's approach- from using statistics and information about what the Government is doing to help stop and preventing cyber bullying, the media presents this newspaper article in a serious light. The added effect by using statistics makes the issue feel more real and problematic.

My final entry was a podcast that was a interview of the general manager of netalert Ms Lara MacDonnell; she discusses the recent findings of the “surveys of kids and parents about on internet safety conducted by netalert Australia internet safety advisory body and their co-operative community partner ninemsn found that cyber bullying in Australia is now starting as early primary schools.” (2) This is alarming not only to teachers but to parents and other Australians, as this implies that something must be done as the feel of this podcast is that this is a serious issue, with the use of statistics you have a clearer image of just how serious cyber bullying is.. With this type of media message it makes a clear and defining statement that work needs to be done to fix this fast emerging problem.

Overall my entries show different aspects covering a range of issues to do with cyber bullying, from what cyber bullying is, to prevention ads and results of cyber bullying. Each entry has a different media approach, each effective in their own way. Cyber bullying is a problem that needs to be addressed, different strategies should be used to reach out to all types of people. But I believe that further investigations into this issue to find an affective way of helping to prevent cyber bullying

References

(1) From the Ad Council:"Delete Cyberbullying. www.ncpc.org/cyberbullying" (Posted on YouTube)

(2) Edna- Australia's Free Online Network for Educators, Interview with general manager of Netalert Lara MacDonnell: http://www.edna.edu.au/edna/go/news/podcast/eli/EP8

I Gave Up MySpace for Lent.....

For my second topic for my research journal I have decided to focus on online social networking. This topic is very broad, and so I’ve decided to narrow my research down to just a few key elements of what are some of the negatives and benefits of social networking. My first resource is the journal article “I gave up MySpace for Lent: New Teachers and Social Networking Sites” By William Kist a teacher at Kent State University, Kent, Ohio. The article presents a negative approach to social networking, but also has a way that we could fix it or to also to have a way to better protect ourselves from these problems occurring. It also shows how society is applying pressure to teachers to remove their social networking sites such as Facebook and MySpace in case a student finds their site and it has material deemed inappropriate and could have a serious impact on ones career. “Principles are googling for information on undergrads before they are allowed into their buildings for student teaching.” [1] This implies that this is just the beginning of what is too come with future implications on teachers and their use of web 2.0. Soon all teachers will be forced to remove themselves from social networking sites and this article presents evidence that this is just the beginning that more changes and problems will occur from online social networking.

Last day of cyberbullying..

Cyber Bullying Podcast..

This podcast is an interview with the general manager of netalert Ms Lara MacDonnell; she discusses the recent findings of the “surveys of kids and parents about on internet safety conducted by netalert Australia internet safety advisory body and their co-operative community partner ninemsn found that cyber bullying in Australia is now starting as early primary schools.” This is alarming not only to teachers but to parents and other Australians, this implies that something must be done as the feel of this podcast is that this is a serious issue, with the use of statistics you have a clearer image just how serious cyber bullying is. Lara MacDonnell states "that with the survey the results were quite high with 16% of girls have been bullied online and with 14% of girls being bullied through their mobiles, but the astounding fact is that only 7% of parents even knew that cyber bullying was occurring with their children." With this type of media message it makes a clear and defining statement that work needs to be done to fix this fast emerging problem.

Journal Entry Number 4..

Teens driven to suicide by cyber bullying..

This article was written by Gemma Jones from the Daily Telegraph, the article goes into detail about some statistics and basic information about cyber bullying as well as details about what the NSW Government is starting to do on the matter. The article states that the “NSW Government has formed an advisory panel of teenagers who have asked for drastic measures, including education classes for students and their parents and a phone helpline, to stop the growing problem”

Kid’s Helpline 1800 551 800

“In the most serious circumstances, online bullying can end in long-term mental health issues and suicide” The NSW Youth Advisory Council said. As from my previous journal entries it proves that this is a fact, death does occur from cyber bullying although I am yet to discover a resource that shows about mental health but if teenagers are willing to commit suicide than they must have had a mental problem first.


From using statistics and information about what the Government is doing to help stop and preventing cyber bullying, the media presents this article in a serious light. The added effect by using statistics makes the issue feel more real and problematic. But overall Gemma Jones the writer of the article ‘Teens driven to suicide by cyber bullying’ has given a more mature and endearing story that may help broaden the knowledge of cyber bullying to readers.

3rd Entry... Doesn't look good..

Stopping the violence....

This news report was aired on Tuesday the 16th by A Current Affair, the report showed a horrific video of a schoolyard fight, where a bunch of girls were attacking one another. The video was caught on a by standers phone, with technology the ability to record and broadcast things off your phone on to YouTube has become an increasingly common. With the attack being a sign on bullying but with the added video recording and posting on sites such as YouTube and facebook, it has become a cyber bullying attack as well as a physical one.

“These days with technology, if you’re a bully you don’t even have to show your face,” said anti-bullying counsellor Susan Berne from the news report. Since airing of the show viewers have sent in several other brutal attacks. It’s just amazing that by standers would record and upload these attacks, its taking cyber bullying to another level with displaying physical bullying and cyber bullying all in one. With the media presenting it this way it appears that they are trying to show just what exactly is occurring on our streets and in our schools. This report has the feel that it is more for just raising awareness and not to try and change the world feel, unlike the ad prevention YouTube clip. It becomes obvious that it is more of an awareness report when the report ends with tips for both the parents and the victims of bullying.

Despite not really being a part of my research journal I've decided to still put in all the tips from the Anti-Bullying counsellor Susan Berne as someone may find it beneficial

Tips for parents:

· Always support your child — they must feel like you're on their side
· Tell the school — speak to someone with real authority
· If the matter isn't resolved, consider changing schools
· Research other schools' bullying policies … Will they take effective action?
· Get more information on building your child's self-esteem so they feel confident in their new environment

Tips for helping victims of bullying:

· Ignore / don't respond to bullies
· Keep evidence of the bullying
· Block contact with bullies as much as possible
· Importantly, tell someone — especially your parents and a trusted teacher
· Let your parents take action, even if it makes you feel a bit uncomfortable
· As much as possible, avoid situations where bullying could take place

Another day.. another entry..

As I was researching for my next journal entry I decided to have another look into YouTube and I found this commercial used to try and prevent cyber bullying occurring, the ad states “If you wouldn’t say it in person, why say it online?” Despite being an extremely nasty and awakening type of commercial it uses the wrong type of wording as to when it says "if you wouldn’t say it in person why say it online", because truth be told a lot of people, teenagers mainly do say that sort of nasty stuff in person and that is called bullying, while doing it online is cyber bullying.

The media’s approach to this should have realised that there is a difference to how this is displayed, and a better wording would have been more appropriate to suit the need to prevent and discourage cyber bullying.

For example If you were telling this to a person just like this then it would be bullying but you have to be face to face unlike cyber bullying where you can follow the person right into their homes, and end it with a new text message sign, something as such. Yes the ad may be effective for a fair amount of the targeted audience but for the other part, they would realise that it is not as effective as bullies do say that sort of thing in person and online.

Day 1.. Cyberbullying 101..

Today is the beginning of a new era.. me using technology for more than just for checking emails and my facebook. Today is also a day where my eyes have been opened to all the possibilities that technology and the internet can be used for and to be honest it's kinda scary to take it all in but that is how society is today everything is based around technology. Although technology has numerous benefits such as keeping in contact with friends and family more efficiently, it also has it downsides, cyberbullying and internet hackers stealing our identities are just some to name a few. But for my research journal for LWT I will just be focusing on how technology interconnects with education.

So for my first topic I have decided to focus on cyber bullying, but more importantly than that I have chosen to answer my own question of What is cyber bullying and how is it portrayed by the media?

So what is cyber bullying? To be able to have a clear analysis on this topic we need to know exactly what the definition of cyber bullying is and according to Chris Webster's webpage..."Cyber bullying refers to bullying through information and communication technologies, mediums such as mobile phone text messages, emails, phone calls, internet chat rooms, instant messaging – and the latest trend – social networking websites such as MySpace, Facebook and Bebo."

Basically cyber bullying is any form of bullying that involves technology and because cyberbullying is relatively new there is no laws in place to protect anyone from this occuring. This leaves ecspecially children in schools affected and their bullies can now target them outside of school hours right into their homes.




My first resource is that of a clip of Tyra Banks, a well known Victoria's Secret model discuss just what can occur from an act of cyber bullying.





This YouTube video shows exactly what can happen as a result for cyber bullying. A 13 year old girl killing herself after a boy turns nasty on the internet; it became known that it was the mother of another girl behind the attacks that led to the young girl’s death. The mother denies doing anything more than to find out if the girl was saying nasty things about her daughter, as stated in the police report. Tyra Banks who is hosting the show with the report, goes on to interview the mother, who states that she is no longer full of hate towards anyone who may have been responsible for contributing towards her daughter’s death and now goes in to schools and talks about the dangers towards cyber bullying. This promotes a positive way to cope and deal with the loss of a child to cyber bullying as well as have an impact to promote the dangers of cyber bullying.

The media’s presentation of cyber bullying from the YouTube video with Tyra Banks.

It appears as though the media is trying to make cyber bullying more effective in communicating with individuals especially teenagers by using a well known model and her opinion on the show to broadcast what technology can do to our school children. Also the media presents this as a on the rise occurrence that more and more kids are becoming victims, but despite this they haven’t used any statistics showing actual percentages or numbers as to what is occurring in the clip and despite the media attention, no legal laws or legislations of adequate size to make an impact on a bigger population than those who watch these types or reports.