Funny vs Cruel

 It's all fun and games til someone gets hurt

When I was at school, not everyone had smart phones. People didn't have Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube etc, on them all day long, at their disposal.
I finished school 3 years ago - and the jump in the accessibility of these items and programs is unbelievable. My phone is now attached to my hand, and I am thankful that I no longer have school teachers to hide it from.

I am so easily able to take photos of my friends, people around me, things I find interesting, things I find funny. The camera phone, and the quality that now exists in everyone's palm is exciting!

However, with the good, comes the bad. Here I am, sitting in the library - and the reality is that if someone felt the need, that could photograph me without me knowing. Two days down the track, I could be minding my own business on the bus, heading home from work, when I discover a photo that is 'shared' or 'liked' of me, posted on some group that I never consented to. Instantly, I would feel embarrassed and my confidence would take a punch.

ReachOut.com describes cyberbullying as "any kind of bullying or harassment done using technology. It really sucks because it can be public, hard to take down, or affect you at home."

As mentioned above, cyber bullying is hard to take down. Whether you're the offended or the offender - the slander that is posted on the internet can have harsh consequences. It usually starts as a bit of fun, but fun at someone else's expense shouldn't be accepted. Honestly, when there are hotlines and help available to those people suffering - that should be an eye opener and a defining moment when deciphering between right and wrong.

ninemsn.com reported that by 2009, a quater of Australian children (aged between 10 - 18) reported that they have been subjected to cyber-bullying.
Parents have the responsibility to monitor the internet use of their child. Although, as I mentioned earlier, with smart phones attached to every teenager's hand, this is becoming impossible.

I ask that people are more conscious and think twice before they press 'post', 'share' or 'send'.



http://au.reachout.com/Cyberbullying

http://www.google.com.au/imgres?imgurl=http://blog.tickcontent.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/3114527.jpg&imgrefurl=http://blog.tickcontent.com/features/how-social-media-is-helping-beat-cyber-bullying/&h=303&w=336&sz=27&tbnid=j9YxpHZbSV2AdM:&tbnh=108&tbnw=120&zoom=1&usg=__krz_ZWGAWJl0G6nm03gQvfqkFuE=&docid=TG3OrFbBCJndmM&sa=X&ei=WgALUdnoEeajigffqIHwAg&ved=0CH8Q9QEwCg&dur=5

http://today.ninemsn.com.au/entertainment/840251/cyber-bullying

Chirp Chirp

Looking into social networking sites such a Twitter can be overwhelming. I personally don’t like the idea of Twitter – I feel it’s just the same as a Facebook status, which I already use.  Despite my opinion of Twitter, I have an account, which check a couple of times a week on my iPhone.

I use it to primarily read through my favourite comedians updates. They are always funny, and its great to see a different pathway created for them to promote their profession.

However James, a man I work with, loves to regularly check and update his Twitter because he uses it for personal tweets. I am curious what he updates, because with only 140 characters, you can’t say much!

Much like the brunette fellow in the youtube clip below (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PN2HAroA12w) I don’t see much point. I am yet to be convinced and dragged into the Twitter atmosphere. I did enjoy the explanation of the Twitter enthusiast though; “you are speaking to nobody, and everybody at the same time”

I decided to do some exploring into this phenomenon – due to millions and millions of people not agreeing with my opinion and using Twitter on the regular. The slightly bias, but most informative port of call was of course, www.twitter.com. Breaking it down into sections such as personal use, businesses, around the world, mobile apps, and community. Twitter connects businesses to customers immediately. “Businesses use Twitter to quickly share information with people interested in their products and services, gather real-time market intelligence and feedback, and build relationships with customers, partners and influencers.” – That small summary from the “About Twitter” page made it hard to argue with the financial and simple benefits it can have upon any business.

So then I thought, “Ok, well then why does James from work use it?” James has no business to promote, no degree in anything or his name in the media. Referencing back to the youtube clip I spoke of earlier, “these people aren’t your friends, so why do they care?” After delving a little deeper into what makes Twitter chirp, excuse the pun – “you still have access to the voices and information surrounding all that interests you. You can contribute, or just listen in and retrieve up-to-the-second information.”

Despite my admiration for this social media site that has so clearly proven itself in the world and that has convinced many people to keep tweeting on the regular – I am still not prepared to set my first tweet…but a Facebook status – well, that’s another story. Obviously, everyone on Facebook cares when I check into Subway for my lunchtime sub…. Duh!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PN2HAroA12w

About Twitter - www.twitter.com