All material this week provided valid facts regarding communicating on the internet and new technology. The use of technology and the problems that come along with it depends on the emphasis society place on technology. This week’s material focus on issues technology faces such as privacy, trust and acceptability.

Baym (2010) discusses how there is a difference in the views of technology between people that did not grow up with it and did. This has become the focal point of people’s view of technology.  Baym also talks about how the internet was not designed for the use they we use today.  When internet, cell phone and all this other technology was first developed people who had money were the people who obtained them. Therefore, the people without money maintain the perception that it was bad but it was not from personal use but because they did not have it or did not like the people who had it or the way they used it. Baym (2010) states “we see concerns that mediated communication damages our ability to have face to face conversations, degrades language, undermines our connections to our communities and families, and replaces meaningful relationships” (150).

Smith (2011) study focused on the usage of smartphones and how it is evolving. He states that there are advantages for users such as getting quick information, using it for emergencies and for entrainment as well as preventing unwanted interactions. We trust that technology will be available to do all of these things however; you could also look at all those things as disadvantages. Due to the ability to obtain information quickly people feel they can use their phone while driving because it will only take a minute and this has caused a big problem.  Although you have the ability to use it in an emergency situation the emergency dispatchers are not able to locate your location from a cell phone. Smith’s article points out that technology is encouraging people to use it to communicate and spend more time online.

Boyd and Hargittai (2010) talks about the privacy concerns with Facebook. This study as well as the BBC interview points out how young people are not concern with privacy but perception of their identity as being cool. They both point out that children now gather online instead of at the mall to gossip, flirt, joke etc. The BBC interview made a good point regarding the teacher’s privacy. Although the teachers have a right to their on life and privacy outside of school when does Society separate the two? If students obtain access to a teachers Facebook, Twitter or any other SNSs and find something that they or their parents feel inappropriate the teacher would be at risk of losing her job. The interview points out a good question where are boundaries?

Although I do not use technology that much I believe it will continue to grow and the demand for new technology will continue to increase. Technology will advance into more hand free interactions and easier ways to communicate. The choice of using technology will decrease because more jobs and schools will require the usage and privacy will continue to be an issue. With the grow of technology people will lose interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate face to face. Due to technology children no longer have the fear of actually meeting someone new by walking up to them for the first time. Instead they find them on SNSs and send them a message because they can hide behind the site. Technology will continue to cause more health problems because children no longer play and exercise they just stuck on technology.