FINAL Blog Post

 The online world is crazy and has evolved so much over the past years. Although there are many benefits to media, there can also be some downsides. Privacy issues, stalking, propaganda, hacking, and so much more are still issues that people face every day. Social media has also changed the way people behave and act. People see something online and assume it's a fact, no matter how credible or un-credible the source is.

I have a few platforms that I use daily, such as Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, VSCO, Snapchat, and TikTok. I have a pretty good following on my Instagram, however not as much as influencers have. My Facebook contacts are mainly family friends or my parent's friends, not a super large platform. For my Snapchat, VSCO, and Twitter, which consists mostly of my friends throughout high school and college. My TikTok platform is not very big at all compared to others. It is mainly used just for fun; however, nowadays, people use that platform to have brands sponsor them and gain money.

Instagram/Facebook: On Instagram, I post pictures that relate to my everyday life, whether that's going out with friends or being with my family. I like to post many food-related images on my Instagram story and if I am traveling somewhere. I have my VSCO account linked in my Instagram bio just in case people are curious to check out those photos.

Snapchat/VSCO: On the apps, I like to post videos or pictures of things that make me happy. Family, friends, food, restaurants, animals, nature, etc. I post much more on my Snapchat or VSCO than I do on my Instagram or Facebook. 

Twitter: I do not post much on Twitter because I have never tweeted about things I am thinking. I like to retweet certain things and scroll down my feed, but that is all. 

Tiktok: This new and upcoming app has been apart of my everyday life ever since the pandemic started. I scroll through it every day to check out recent trends all around the world. People dance, cook, eat, DIY, and so much more on this app. Many new influencers have become famous because of this app, such as Addison Rae, Charli D, Blake Gray, etc. I mainly only post funny or silly videos, nothing too serious. However, I did get TikTok famous for a few days because of a viral video I posted of my dad, lol. People found it funny and relatable and tossed me a follow. Other than that, I have not gone viral since. 

Information About Me Found On Social Media

• My first and last name to start, that goes for most people though
• I have the college I attend in my Instagram bio as well as the year I graduate
• I am sure they would be able to tell where I live just based on the types of pictures I tend to take or if you look at the location
• On Facebook you are able to see everyones date of birth
• On Facebook you are also able to see previous addresses, education, places of employment, and relatives
• If your ghost mode is off on Snapchat, your contacts are able to see your exact location from the last time you were active on Snapchat

It is crazy how much information people can find out about your through your personal social media platforms. Although you can private yourself on certain accounts, that does not allows keep people away from being able to find out specific information. 

I have never freely given out my phone number on any of my social media platforms. The only platform that displays my personal email is on my LinkedIn page. However this site is mainly for finding job opportunities and that such. I do not think it is very safe for everyone to know your own personal cell phone number. It gives out your area code and you do not want people to be able to contact you if you do not know them. 

Social Media Leaving People Depressed & Lonely

I do think social media can leave people feeling depressed and lonely. Some people may feel isolated or sad that they were not invited to a particular event. They may see people have an enjoyable time on social media and be upset they are taking part in that activity or similar activity. Social media also leads people to feel self-conscious about themselves. They will start to compare themselves to people they see on social media, leading to many issues. For example, some people from eating disorders because of all models or "skinny" girls they view on their pages. They think that this is what they need to look like and start to deplete their appetite, which is very unhealthy. 

Social media also distracts people from the outside world around them. Teenagers are so consumed with their phones that 3 hours will go by, and they will not even realize. They are missing out on opportunities that may not be available on their cell phones. Real-life conversation and observation are still essential, and I think that flies by people's heads at times. LIVE IN THE MOMENT......BE PRESENT

LINKS: 

https://www.fastcompany.com/90315706/kids-parents-social-media-sharing

https://www.fastcompany.com/section/the-privacy-divide

TED Talk Videos

 

Mass Surveillance is gaining information about people around the world that has not been possible before. When driving your car across the United States, they are able to know if you have gone to a therapist, AA meeting, going to church, and so on. This information combined with everyone else gives the government a good idea on how citizens interact. 

Modern technology has expanded the governments knowledge on society and police departments make decisions on who they think WE are due to this information. 

Licence Plate Reader: They are mounted everywhere you go and can track exactly who you are. They not only track people who are "wanted" but they also track every plate that they see a mass quantity of data to see where citizens have gone. The scary thing is, no one even knows that this occurs. They have photos of where you are going, and who you are with. The government could even have photos of you getting out of your car in your own driveway. 

Is it ok for the government to keep all of this information even if you have done nothing wrong? Well they keep this information in case it will be useful and beneficial in the future. 

Not only does this occur in the US but it also occurs in the UK. 

There is also something called a cell tower dump were law enforcement agents can uncover who was using one or more cell towers at a certain time to find different locations. 

Just because we are not seeing these things does not mean it is not there. This can lead to the police abusing the technology they have and the data they are collecting. It can be used for blackmail, political advantages, etc. The police can be governed by the city council which can pass laws that dispose the data of innocent people while keeping what is important.

LINK: https://www.ted.com/talks/catherine_crump_the_small_and_surprisingly_dangerous_detail_the_police_track_about_you?language=en