What To Do About Misinformation?

 

What To Do About Misinformation?

Social Media Is a Huge source of information - not all of it is GOOD information. Urban legends, myths, conspiracy theories "deep fakes" and other types of false information are everywhere, and it can be difficult to determine what is really true. It's bad enough if this type of information would affect or even harm us individually, but we know that it can also affect us on a global scale, such as influencing an election (and not just the US elections).

Obviously, we have to learn how to identify information that might be biased or untrue - but what about those sources that host the information, such as Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube? What responsibilities do they have?

The 60 Minutes video we watched in class talks about YouTube and its policies regarding invalid or harmful information. What do you think? Should entities like YouTube, Facebook, etc. be responsible for blocking or identifying misinformation, or should it be the responsibility of the viewer to educate themselves about how to spot "fake news"?

Your Online Image #2

 

Your Online Image #2

You are the young manager of a local ice cream parlor that is beloved by local families. You are looking to hire some teens for the summer when the shop is open late every evening. You require an application and at least one reference. It occurs to you that you could look on Facebook to find out a bit more about the applicants.

What might you find that would make you not hire someone?

Is there anything wrong with using Facebook in this way?

Below are a couple of articles that talk about how employers use social media to help screen applicants.

Keep It Clean: Social Media Screenings Gain in Popularity

Employer’s using social media in hiring process: Why do they do it?

Your Online Image #1

 

Your Online Image #1

You've discussed in your Keynote presentations about how important it is for you to be very careful when you're online.

- be careful with your personal information

- be careful about what you say about others

- be careful about language, images, etc

- be careful about secrets, embarrassing or other personal info about others

Things that you post online can also be damaging to your reputation - now, or in the future.

We're going to handle the blog differently in the next couple of weeks.  You will be presented with different scenarios, that involve online social networking.  Respond to the question(s) asked. Give your answer some thought. 

First Scenario:

You are finally old enough to join a social networking app/site and set up your own profile. You spend a lot of time adding pictures and connecting with things that you "like", and you have links to many friends. Your mom makes her own profile and asks you to be her “friend" (or let her "follow" you, etc).  What do you think about that? Explain your thinking.

Deepfakes & Democracy

 

Deepfakes & Democracy

Every day, we see -- and create! -- countless images and videos that have been edited or digitally altered. From simple Snapchat filters to short, lighthearted, or ironic TikTok videos, it’s clear that seeing and creating altered media is just part of online life today. 

But are you aware of -- or have you thought about -- the phenomenon of 'deepfake videos'? As you watch the videos, consider these questions: 

Why are faked images and videos so popular? 

How might AI or deepfake technology subvert or threaten a democratic election? 

How does the existence of this new technology change the way we see the world?

(LINK to the second video.)

You're Messed Up!

 

You're Messed Up!

You're messed up!  You're addicted!

Read the following articles (don't forget to read some of the comments after the articles). They all talk about the effects on teens from social networking, texting, etc - all of this "new" technology.

What are the dangers?  We're not talking about why the internet itself is dangerous - not talking about predators.  We're talking about the quality of life here - your time; how social networking makes you feel about the world, how you feel about YOURSELF, and how it conditions you to behave.  "Real life" vs. "online life".

Your first post should be about what the negative effects of your online life might be. How might things like social networking (Facebook, Twitter) affect you in a negative way? This is a difficult question because you probably don't think that these things really are affecting you negatively.  You can handle it, right?

THEN, after a day or two, in your response to a fellow student's post, argue in FAVOR of social networking - how does it 'enhance' your life - how does it make your life better?

This is a 'deep topic'.  One sentence answers are NOT going to cut it, so really think about your answers, and argue your point.

Social Media and Teens: How Does Social Media Affect Teenagers’ Mental Health

Teens Say They're Addicted to Social Media, Texting

Don't Blame Social Media if Your Teen Is Unsocial, It's Your Fault

The Cloud

The Cloud

You've probably heard it said that the world has gotten smaller.  This is true because, since the development of the Internet (the 'Cloud') and such things as Tweeting, texting, instant messaging, social networking (Facebook, Instagram), we've grown much closer.  The distance between us, geographically, doesn't matter near as much anymore.

In many ways, this is a good thing.  But, in some ways - not so much.  While the world has grown closer together, we're also closer to those people who would try to hurt us or take advantage of us.  Most people are good - but it's easier than ever for those that aren't to target people who aren't prepared, or aware of the dangers.

So, you've just met a student who has NEVER been on the internet.  Their family just moved to the area, and just signed up for internet access at home for the first time.  Knowing what you know right now, what would you warn that person about?  What would you tell them to be careful of, when they're on the Web?  How would you tell them to behave - what precautions should they take?

You don't have to look this up - base it on what you already know - what you've already learned.  You CAN research a little on the internet if you need to...

REMEMBER: Each week's blog is worth a total of 30 points: 

1st response: 10 

respond to two classmates: 20 (10ea) 

Total = 30pts

These points add up - there are at least 10-12 posts throughout the semester, which add up to a decent percentage of your grade! (An EASY percentage!) 

  

Welcome to The Blog!!

Each week, this blog will present a topic that we'll discuss IN the blog, and possibly in class. The blog may or may not relate to what we're working on in class, but will always have something to do with technology - future technology, tech-related current events, online safety, and responsible internet usage, jobs in technology.....

Blog Instructions:

You will post your first response to the current topic within a day of its posting. Then, after another day or so, respond to someone else's post. Last, respond to another person's post. (You can respond to the same person, especially if you're in the middle of a discussion/debate with them about the topic!)

PLEASE put some thought into your responses - I'm looking for a short paragraph, or a few sentences, not "Yeah, I agree" or "Dude! Awesome point!" Posts like that get a big fat ZERO points.

Each week's blog is worth a total of 30 points: 

1st response: 10 
respond to two classmates: 20 (10ea) 
Total = 30pts

These points add up - there are at least 10-12 posts throughout the semester, which add up to a decent percentage of your grade! (An EASY percentage.)

Late posts:

Posts are still due if we have a "weather" day (like a snow day) - so don't forget!  : )

If you post after the Friday due date, you can ONLY earn 20 points total. You must still post 3 times to get the 20 points, and there is no credit for a post later than a week after that blog post's due date.

Our first blog post will be Monday, February 1st.