Readers, as new information has emerged in the UK's recent teen suicide case, I felt it might be useful to you if I gather together some insights, wisdom and context on "digital self-harm" from the past several years into one place. So here's Part 2 (Part 1 is here)…. If what Ask.fm executives reportedly said about the hate messages on Hannah Smith's page is true – and it's very likely to be – … [Read more...] about Reflexive responses to digital bullying & self-harm not helpful
Archives for August 2013
Teens & social media: Parents’ other job
An interesting myth about social media is the one about tension between teen privacy and teen safety. Because of all the scary messaging about the Internet that has been in circulation for almost two decades, many parents seem to believe it's their job to monitor their children's Net use closely. The assumption is that privacy (from parents) jeopardizes their safety. That assumption deserves to … [Read more...] about Teens & social media: Parents’ other job
Most US teen Net users seek out privacy advice: Study
Privacy in social media is important to US teens (and undoubtedly all teens). We knew this but just got further confirmation today from the Pew Internet Project's new study, "Where Teens Seek Online Privacy Advice." "The majority of teens set their profile to either fully or partially private," the authors report, and it they can't figure out how to manage their settings themselves, they get … [Read more...] about Most US teen Net users seek out privacy advice: Study
State of privacy illustrated (by a tech-literate law student)
Its creator, 27-year-old Brendan O'Connor calls it "CreepyDOL" (because it is certainly creepy). You could also call it Personal PI, since anyone with a portable, very hide-able little device like this would hardly need to hire a private investigator. In fact, this spying device written up in the New York Times indicates not only that the private-eye business is on the wane, but also that we have … [Read more...] about State of privacy illustrated (by a tech-literate law student)
Highest social networking growth among Americans 65+
No one thinks social media is kid stuff anymore, right? If they do, they should check out this CNET article that says more than 72% of US adults now use social network sites, that figure up from 67% just five months before, CNET reports, citing just-released Pew Internet Project figures. And that's not just young adults. "One of the more striking stories about the social networking population," … [Read more...] about Highest social networking growth among Americans 65+