A discussion of the benefits of the social Web wouldn't be complete without a mention of an emerging risk: that the technology of personalization is becoming so sophisticated that this giant digital space is getting carved up into a myriad little echo chambers. In other words, as the New York Times put it, "on the Web, we often see what we like, and like what we see." Eli Pariser, board president … [Read more...] about The social Web’s echo chambers
media literacy
Only sometimes ‘alone together’ in the same room
I get tired of clever terms like "iDistraction," as found in Sunday's New York Times, featuring a photo of a family of four lined up on a couch, each person using a different device. Let's do ourselves a favor and employ a little critical thinking when pictures and terms like these suggest families (and relationships and child development and so many other things) are going to hell. [My headline … [Read more...] about Only sometimes ‘alone together’ in the same room
Helping Japan with our brains as well as hearts
It's important for us to point out to our children that millions of people are looking for ways to help survivors of Japan's earthquake-related disasters. This is the social norms approach that encourages everybody to take positive action. This is also an opportunity to teach media literacy, as we look at how people are helping via social-media tools and how they can be vulnerable in doing so – if … [Read more...] about Helping Japan with our brains as well as hearts
Virtual world ‘mall’ now has online-safety ‘store’
Everloop, a new social site aimed at kids 8-13, is not just another virtual world. Or social network site. It's not a kids' Facebook or alternative to Whyville.net or LEGO Universe, contrary to what's being reported (see Mashable). But it's also not just an online space. What it is depends on who's looking at it. To kids and parents, it's like a virtual-world and/or social-network mall that's … [Read more...] about Virtual world ‘mall’ now has online-safety ‘store’
Headsup, parents! New privacy change at FB
Parents, the best advice for Facebook users at your house is, "Leave the contact info in your profile blank." That's the quick, easy end run around the new change, which allows apps to use your address and phone numbers if you give them permission to do so. That's the good news: It's opt-in – you choose to provide the apps with that info. The problem is, once FB users decide to install an app, … [Read more...] about Headsup, parents! New privacy change at FB