Smith (2011) argued that there are many advantages can be found to cell phones users such as: getting quick information, using it on emergency situation and for entertainment, and preventing them from having unwanted interactions with people. At the same time, cell phone may cause people to get frustrated when it takes too long to download something. Smith also noted the numerous opportunities Smart Phones added to people’s life where it can be used for texting, going online, sending photos or videos, downloading applications, accessing the internet, using social networking such as Facebook or Twitter, and YouTube, and many more. On the other side, people who use smart phones more often may have trouble accomplishing desired tasks when their phones are not available.
Boyd and Hargittai (2010) noted that youth do not care or engaged with managing the setting of privacy on Facbook, and that there is no differences between men and women in how they manage their Facebook settings. Boyd and Hargittai also argued that many teens were scared ,especially girls, and wanted to protect, but if they learned the some skills in how to manage their privacy setting on MySpace when teens can make them feel more confidence when they go to college to manage their Facebook privacy setting. After all, the companies consider how default privacy settings and changes in these setting can affect population differently
Baym (2010) asserted that some people might have fears CMC and the use of internet may “damage the ability to face-to face conversations, degrade language. Undermines our connections to our communities and families, and replaces meaningful relationships” (150), however, today, most people think that CMC strengthen their connections with their families and friends. Also because it is faster and cheaper to use the internet for socializing, more people are interacting with each other 24/7 from all over the world, more volunteer groups are available to help support all individuals in our society. After all people can choose the way to interact and make their balance between the old and new media. Overall, both Baym and danah boyd BBC interview are optimistic and assured that the key to continue using CMC and internet successfully would by balancing what we do and how we do it and in what way.
From all the above readings we can conclude that despite of the fears people used to think about the CMC and internet use that is damaging the language, social interactions, and privacy, it seems that there are more advantages than disadvantages that forces people to think more positively about their future with all the new media.
It’s funny that the Pew research study said people get frustrated with slow download times on their cell phones. I remember dial-up AOL in the late 90s and early 2000s. Back then it could take tens of minutes to download pages and files. And music? Forget about it. Now, if something takes 30 seconds to a minute to download, that’s too slow. It’s never good enough for us. We demand things instantaneously now. Our attention spans keep getting shorter and shorter.
I agree with you Tim, I also remember those days when I used to use AOL and it was the best in early 90s and very expensive to use it, now where is AOL ? Within 10 years everything have changed ,of course, to the best. I used to call my mom and pay $4 for each minutes, now I am I am talking to her everyday for hours and for free using my Skype and Facetime. We should not complain thoug.
Yes! speed is the biggest force driving online communication. Its all about how fast someone can make that connection to another person or information.