NDM: What's wrong with the internet?

Is the sheer amount of information available on the internet a cause for concern not celebration? Should we be worried how companies use our data?

It's far too simplistic to simply say the internet is a wonderful, democratising tool. Although there are significant benefits to audiences, we also have to explore the impact the internet has had on quality, creativity, and privacy - three key areas for Media students to form opinions on.

Social concerns

There are other debates concerning the internet and its impact on society. Pornography is now more available and more difficult to regulate than ever - leading to debates regarding 'rape culture' and a call for porn and consent to be added to sex and relationship education in schools. Similarly, there are question marks over the accuracy of the web and whether audiences can trust the internet - the recent storm over 'fake news' and the election of Donald Trump in America provides a compelling example of this.

Online privacy

Another key debate with regards to new and digital media concerns privacy online. How should social media companies be able to use the data they have on us? Should the government be able to use anti-terror laws to access private WhatsApp messages? Should potential employers or universities be able to check our social media history before offering us a job or place at university?

Blog task

Read ‘Somebody’s watching you: Social media and surveillance’ – MM52 p13. Our Media Magazine archive is here. Complete the following tasks on your MEST3 Exam blog:

1) Summarise the article in 50 words.

2) Are you worried about companies tracking your online movement?

3) Are the problems with the internet (such as concerns over data and privacy) a price worth paying for all the benefits we gain from life online?

4) Should governments be able to spy on our activity online? Where would you draw the line - social media? Private messaging conversations? Our phone photos and contacts?

5) Read this Guardian news story from last week on Harvard withdrawing offers due to offensive memes on Facebook. In your opinion, were Harvard right to rescind those offers?

Complete for homework if you don't get through it in the lesson - due next double lesson.