Internet Freedom vs. Net Neutrality

This has been a hot topic since the internet was made.  Net neutrality supports the government regulating internet service providers.  While internet freedom, allows the people to post anything they want.  I support the idea of internet freedom and would hate to see the internet become taken over by the government.  The internet has connected people from all over the world and has helped people in many different ways.

With the help of the internet farmers are able to keep track of their expenses, communicate with other farmers and futures market analysts, receive up to date weather information, and so much more all at their finger tips.  Here is just one example of how the freedom internet has helped a group of people become successful.  The internet has come to the aid of many throughout its years and lets try and keep it that way.

Also the government would have a tough time trying to regulate the internet.  With the recession we are recovering from and other financial difficulties, I do not think it would be a wise decision to spend money trying to regulate the internet.

Story Board Cyber Bullying

Cyber Bullying

By Alex Hertelendy

What is Cyber Bullying

•The definition of cyber bullying is unwanted, aggressive behavior among school aged children that involves a real or perceived imbalance of power with the use of technological devices.  The behavior is repeated or has potential to be repeated over time.  

Who Is effected?

•Children are the majority of the victims, but recently there have been cases involving adults.

•Groups who may be bullied are people of LBGT, the disabled or special needs, people of other races and nationalities, and individuals that have strong religious values.

•Even the bully is effected in the situation.

Ways to Prevent

•Create a safe environment to learn in, an open atmosphere to talk about bullying, and get the community involved in preventing bullying.

•For parents make sure there is an open line of communication.  Get to know what is going on in your child's life.

•Become a role model for your child and others by showing others kindness and respect.

How to respond 

•Respond to the bullying quickly and consistently.  This will show that it is not acceptable and will not be tolerated.

•After one responds to bullying, find out what happened.  Talk to all parties involved and proceed with ways to resolve the problem.

•Do not just be a bystander and watch what is happening.  Try and defuse the situation and if does not work get an adult to help.

annotated bibliography

Annotaed Bibliography

Chen, Stephanie. "In a Wired World, Children Unable to Escape Cyberbullying." CNN. Cable News Network, 04 Oct. 2010. Web. 04 Nov. 2012. <http://articles.cnn.com/2010-10-04/living/youth.cyberbullying.abuse_1_cyberbullying-research-center-post-text-or-images-cell-phones?_s=PM:LIVING>.

            This article is very helpful because it give a personal experience of cyber bullying and how it effects the victim.  The article also provides some statistics about how many children have been effected by cyber bullying and how teens are constantly connected to social media.  Using the data collected of how long teens spend on their devices, helps bring awareness to cyber bullying because the victims are being bullied on a 24 hour basis.

Hoffman, Jan. "POISONED WEB; Online Bullies Pull Schools Into the Fray." The New York Times. The New York Times, 28 June 2010. Web. 04 Nov. 2012. <http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/28/style/28bully.html?pagewanted=all>.

This article helps present ways to put an end to cyber bullying.  The article discusses ways to punish cyber bullying in and out of school, and who has the authority over it.  Some parents want teachers and administrators at schools to get involved and reprimand the bullies, while others want the schools to stay out of it.  With the inventions of new technological devices this has grown to become a serious problem.

Walton, Sue. "Cyberbullying Can Happen 24/7, but There Are Steps Parents Can Take to Protect Kids." The Plain Dealer. The Plain Dealer, 21 Oct. 2011. Web. 05 Nov. 2012. <http://blog.cleveland.com/pdextra/2011/10/cyberbullying_can_happen_247_b.html>.

The article gives parents some tips on how to prevent cyber bullying.  This article is very useful because it is provided by Todd Walts, CEO of Campus Impact.  Campus Impact provides a program that teaches kids about bullying and the negative effects it has on kids.  The information provided by Walts will be useful in writing my story  because it addresses how to prevent cyber bullying.

Kristofic, Christina. "CB Could Add Cyber-bullying to Anti-bullying Policy." Msnbc.com. Msnbc Digital Network, 23 Oct. 2012. Web. 05 Nov. 2012. <http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/49528734/ns/local_news-delaware_valley_pa_nj/t/cb-could-add-cyber-bullying-anti-bullying-policy/>.

This article will be useful in writing my digital story because it talks about how a school board is amending its bullying policy to include cyber bullying.  It is one of the few schools that are starting to punish cyber bullying and starting a movement to push other schools to take a stand. 

Hacktivism

There are many positive and negative affects that surround hacking.  It all depends on what the purpose is for hacking and who is doing it.  I think that Hacking should be protected as a right of free speech, but should be controlled by a few laws that prevent people from being a black hatted hacker.

The founding fathers of America shared the same common view of freedom.  When they wrote the Constitution they were writing the laws that would govern the land and make The United States of America a place of freedom and opportunity.  The First Amendment in the Bill of Rights includes free speech and people have this right to a certain extent.  Protesters have been exercising this right since it was adopted in 1791.  With advancements in technology, protesters have been able to spread there voice over the internet, TV, and social media.

The new era has made a new kind of protester and they are called hacktivists.  Hacktivists hack into websites that are connected to the government or show hacktivism in a bad light.  They are not stealing important information, leaving viruses on the website, or any other criminal act.  Hacktivists are simply exercising their First Amendment right to express themselves.  They are acting like spies who are trying to leak information that we, as American citizens, have a right to know what are government is doing.  This is a perfect fit for the main theme of our class, Social justice.