Post 16

Just a quick update regarding the movie "Bully." Because of all the people who signed the petition, the rating has been lowered from "R" to "PG-13." Coming together, we were able to make a difference! Has anyone seen the movie yet? If you've seen it, please share your thoughts!

Post 15

I published an earlier post about a movie that hits theaters on March 30 titled "Bully." It is a documentary that narrows in on families who have had first hand experiences of bullying and its devastating consequences. I urge anyone to watch this interview from the Ellen show. She interviews a family who lost a son as a result of the bullying he experienced in school. If you haven't done so, please sign the petition from my earlier post to try to get the rating changed to PG-13!

http://www.bing.com/videos/watch/video/ellen-talks-to-parents-from-bully/17w0s4b5o

Post 14

Tweeting during surgery?? Are people taking technology wayyy too far?

http://articles.cnn.com/2009-02-17/tech/twitter.surgery_1_twitter-and-facebook-social-networking-site-twitter-tweeted?_s=PM:TECH

What do you think?

Post 13

Please sign this petition!!

http://www.change.org/petitions/mpaa-dont-let-the-bullies-win-give-bully-a-pg-13-instead-of-an-r-rating

A new movie, "Bully" hits theaters March 30 and is currently rated "R" due to language. What this means is that, unfortunately, the individuals who most need to see this movie will be unable to due to age restrictions. We can't let the bullies win. Please sign this petition urging the Motion Picture Association of America to change the rating to "PG-13"!!!!

Post 12

Check out this rap video! It's about the five elements of a story and it's SO catchy! I could totally see myself playing this for kids in my elementary class.

http://flocabulary.com/fivethings/

What do you think of this? I think it's awesome!

Post 11

Have you seen someone using technology inappropriately? Or do you have any pet peeves regarding technology and the way people use it? Not only is it against the law, but I hate seeing people texting while they drive. It's so extremely dangerous and people should never text and drive considering the danger they are putting not only themselves in but also the other people on the road.

This video from SNL is made to be funny and to make fun of some of the crazy distracting things people do while driving. However, I do think it's true that some people are not focused enough on the road while behind the wheel.

What irks you about the way some people use some technologies?

http://news.consumerreports.org/cars/2009/11/video-taylor-swift-snl-spoof-mocks-bad-parent-drivers.html

Post 10

Brad Paisley is one of my favorite artists. His song "Online," though meant for comedic value, does a good job of showing how the internet can sometimes serve as an escape and a disguise for people. The song describes a man who is unhappy with his life so he creates a better, improved version of himself. One of the lines in the song is "...but I grow another foot and I lose a bunch of weight every time I log in." Now, though this song and video tell the story of a fictional, harmless character, I believe it's important to remember that because the internet provides people with a way to disguise their true identity, very real dangers can come from (and have come) from these types of situations.

Here is the video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UE6iAjEv9dQ&ob=av2e

What are your thoughts about this video? It really highlights the fact that you don't always really know what you're getting when you meet somebody online!!!

Post 9

The question was brought up in my technology class about whether or not the entertainment world does enough to speak out against bullying. We know Ellen Degeneres is doing A LOT to bring this issue to people's attention and to truly voice her concerns and urge celebrities to share their stories to viewers to encourage people to be kinder to one another. My professor brought up Taylor Swift's performance on the Grammy's for her song "Mean" and how it really sends a positive message to viewers and fans. I've always loved Taylor Swift and think she's the perfect role model. Her songs are full of positive messages and she sets such a wonderful example for young girls who truly admire her. Her video for "Mean" shows the stories of teenagers who are teased and grow up to lead very successful lives. Here is the link to her video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jYa1eI1hpDE&ob=av2e

What are your thoughts about her video and the message it's sending to people everywhere?

Post 8

As I've been posting comments on this blog and focusing on digital citizenship and cyberbullying, I keep coming back to this song by Rascal Flatts so I thought I would share it with all of you. The lyrics are tragically beautiful which tell the story of a seventeen year-old who committed suicide due to depression and situations he/she felt had no escape. Teenagers and young children sometimes can't see past Friday night and unfortunately feel as though their problems have no solutions. It's devastating when kids, as Rascal Flatts put it, "walk away in the middle of a song."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nd-2EkA4LgI

What are your thoughts about this video and song?

Post 7

I know I've been focusing a lot on the possible risks and negative aspects of the internet, but I also believe that it is SUCH a great tool for everyone, including students and teachers!! Some of you are students (some of which are studying abroad!) and teachers, or were students at one time, and I would LOVE to hear how the internet has influenced your educational experiences in a positive way(s). Please tell us how the internet has positively impacted your lives and educational careers!

Post 6

The internet, though provides many benefits, has also taken away that sense of privacy we used to have. It's scary that people can find out information about you through one little click on the computer. We need to be smart and careful about the things we post online. Unfortunately, I think young kids and teenagers don't think about all the risks of posting too much information online. They tend to be in that "it could never happen to me" mindset. And this behavior is not limited to kids; I've also read cases of young adults who make big mistakes by posting personal information and photos on the web. Once something is posted on the internet, it's out there forever. It's a scary thought, which is why kids need to be better educated about internet safety. Parents should also be informed of what their kids are doing online, and additionally, should be talking about these issues with their kids. This commercial captures vividly the seriousness of posting inappropriate things online (photos, comments, information, etc) and the type of people out there who might be seeing it....

Check out the commercial and share your thoughts!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4w4_Hrwh2XI&feature=related

This next commercial is a quick look into some of the acronyms used online, something all parents and adults should be aware of!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P9agBBoPUIw

I also found this Parent Guide to Internet Safety on the FBI website which provides useful information to parents!

http://www.fbi.gov/stats-services/publications/parent-guide

Post 5

I'm sure many of you watched the Super Bowl this weekend. In my technology class we talked about some of the commercials and the lack of appropriateness of some of them to be aired during a game which attracted young viewers as well as adults. It was brought up in class that some of these commercials could be seen as quite offensive and inappropriate for young kids to watch. Not only do these commercials air on television, but the world of the internet gives kids the freedom to search them later on and watch them as often as they want. I found the conversation we had in class very interesting and I would love to hear some of your thoughts on this matter. Did you think some of these commercials should not have aired during the Super Bowl?

Here are two of the commercials that were brought up in class:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vAmE7n05vo8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4igYHZ-hmGo

Post 4

I came across this video of Anderson Cooper interviewing teenagers about bullying. Most of these kids have been bullied and the things they say are awful and quite scary. They bring up some good points about peer pressure, fear, and the lack in some people's understanding of the seriousness of bullying. They use the term "no escape," which is something I hear very often in this time of technology. Many kids are bullied in school (which is terrible in and of itself) but even more unfortunate is the fact that the bullies follow them home when they log onto the internet.

 Here is the link from YouTube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SCNjUmGA2Tk&feature=related

What are your thoughts with respect to these kids' responses? Are there other things you see or hear about that relate to this topic?

Post 3

Ellen Degeneres, one of my favorite people on television, has been voicing her views on the matter of cyberbullying. Though normally known for her great sense of humor, we see a serious side of Ellen as she speaks about this problem, becoming so grave in our country, it is leading young kids to take their own lives. Check out what she had to say:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aBUMugqDRHg

What are your thoughts?

Post 2

A movie debuted on ABC Family last year that focused in on issues regarding bullying through the internet. The movie, "Cyberbully," tells the story of Taylor, played by Emily Osment, a young girl who is picked on by her classmates through cruel messages posted online. I know some of you have seen this movie. What are your thoughts or comments about the movie? Did you think it touched upon important issues going on in today's technology-filled world? If you haven't seen the movie, do you think it's something you would like to watch? Please share your thoughts!

Check out the trailer!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EQz7U21oQRk 

Being a Good Digital Citizen

My graduate technology class focuses in on what it means to be a "good" digital citizen in today's technology-rich world. I'm sure we have all heard cases, or maybe even witnessed, someone using technology inappropriately. In your opinion, what do you think it means to be a good digital citizen?