Two Way Street

http://www.cartoonstock.com/cartoonview.asp?search=site&catref=csan25&MA_Category=&ANDkeyword=internet+privacy&ORkeyword=&TITLEkeyword=&NEGATIVEkeyword=

This cartoon on internet privacy states that the internet gives you a window of the whole world. This cartoon is a very accurate description of how the internet can be both positive and negative. It is an interesting depiction and shows how information can be a two way street.

I think that this cartoon is true in two different ways. The internet can be a tool that gives you access to so much information. You are able to see what is going on all across the world. It is a window where the user can gain access to news, current events, and so much knowledge that would previously be inaccessible to the normal person.

At the same time the window could be looked in from the other way as well. While people can look out of this window to gain information, this window can be looked into as well. This is the danger that is also associated with the internet. While it is an amazing tool to look out of, it can be dangerous when people look into your window through the internet. People can learn a lot about you as well through the internet if proper safeguards are not put in place. 

I thought that this cartoon was an interesting analogy to the internet and how it can be used to gain information as well as how this window that can give information about the world to be used for so much good can also be a window that can can allow others to access information about the user.

over the top

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2011/02/06/sunday/main7323148.shtml

This is an article that I found on the CBS website. It is an article about a high school English teacher named Ashley Payne. She went to Europe on a summer vacation, and had a picture up of her holding a glass of wine, as well as holding a beer. One day she was called into the principals office where he proceded to ask her if she had a facebook. Apparently her photos, that happened to be set to private on her account, were seen by one of her students parents who then complained to the principal. The principal gave Ashley two choices, either resign or we will suspend you. Ashley resigned.

I think that this story is very over the top. She is of age, and legally allowed to drink alcohol, thus should not be punished. The fact that her photos were set to private on her account is also puzzling. It goes to show you that even though your facebook account settings say that your  information is private, that may not necessarily be the case. If one of your friends makes a copy of the photo, then it is no longer private because they can do with it what they want, or their settings may not be private.

This is a case where facebook and the internet has taken away privacy, and in this case it had very negative consequences for Ashley Payne.

Rhetorical Analysis

http://blog.internetsafety.com/

This website has two blogs that both related to the widespread use of the internet and their role with kids. The first blog that I looked at is called "Its all Rock and Roll... To parents." This blog relates the widespread use of the internet and how many parents are worried about the influence that it has over kids. It compares the rise of rock and roll and how parents were worried about the influence it had on their kids to how many kids are now influenced by the internet. Kids have access to so much information and are subject to many things that parents are worried about. The tone of this blog was of caution, but noted that there is no way to keep your kids from accessing dangerous information. It relates to the readers by paralleling the internet with the rock and roll era that many parents lived through.

The second blog on this website that relates is called "Smartphones in the classroom Smart Policy?" This blog also notes the large influence that the internet and the ease of access is affecting kids today. It notes that there are many dangers that kids are able to access on the internet, and talks about how many schools and parents need to adapt to the new changes rather than try to block kids from using it. The tone of this is also of caution, but notes that the best way to protect the kids is to regulate it through apps and software to make it safer.

Both blogs agree that the way to deal with the changes and dangers kids face in the internet is through smart software and guidance from those who are in charge of the kids. Whether it be teachers in a classroom or parents, they must accept and adapt to the influence the internet has on kids in order to protect them. They relate to the readers by pathos, bringing out emotions regarding the readers kids safety. I agree with the two blogs. There is no way to eliminate the threats on the internet entirely, but by education and care taken by parents and teachers, the dangers can be largely regulated.

Facebook friends?

I go out all the time and meet new people. The next day I may remember their names or they will remember mine, and we will become facebook friends. You may stay in touch with these new friends through facebook for a few days, or maybe longer, however often times you never see them again, and do not stay close friends.

According to facebook, I have 892 friends. I was thinking about this earlier today and wondered how many of those people I actually am friends with still. I began looking through my friends list and realized that there are many people who have access to my information and photos that I do not even remember who they are, how I met them, or why I am friends with them.

I think that it is important to go through your friends list on facebook on at least a somewhat regular basis in order to update your privacy settings and to ensure that there are not people accessing your information that you would not want to be able to see it. The people who you may have met once or twice, but never became close friends with may not make the cut of people that you would want to be able to see your profile and information.

I know often times I get a friend request from somebody that I do not know. I may have mutual friends, but cant tell if I know them or not, so I will accept the request so that I can see if I know them or recognize them. I think caution should be used when doing this, because if the person that you are accepting is actually not a friend or acquaintance of you, they may be able to access information for a short time that you would not allow them to see. Be sure to delete these people from your account so that they cannot continue to see your profile and access your personal information.

It is my advice for everyone to go through your friends list, and delete those people who you do not know. At least adjust the privacy settings so that these people who made the cut of facebook friend, but who are not close friends, will not have access to all of your information.