Social Networking and Privacy

I never really notice how much time and how social networking is to my life until I actually sat down and thought about it to write this blogging assignment. Every time I have a spare minute I pull out my phone to check my text messages, twitter and my facebook. I often check it so often that there has been no change from the last time I checked it 2 minutes ago. Whenever I am on the computer my Google chrome tabs are filled with my facebook and twitter, most likely in conversation with someone or multiple people all on different social networks. It would hard for me to actually quantify because my social network intake varies from a quick second check under my desk in class to losing track of time and finding myself on facebook for hours in the wee hours of the morning. When you look at the cultural movement to social networking and constant access to news there are pluses as well as minuses. As a whole I feel that this movement towards our addiction to constant media has its pitfalls but overall I believe it is a positive to have information always at your fingertips. Though I know my opinions might be considered biased because I grew up in these times and I could not possibly imagine my life without all of these gadgets, but when watching films like Digital Nation it shows examples of teachers using laptops in class to connect with their students and they all respond better to this way of learning, one teacher even described trying to take way technology from their students is like taking away their oxygen. I also do understand the other side of the argument because I do believe people that grew up in this age like me do not feel as comfortable reacting with others as well as generations before us. As well as other things like reading or doing physical activities are not done as often because we are constantly tied down with our social networking. Privacy has also taken a huge blow which I have personal experiences from sharing personal information about relationships that I definitely would not do again but I believe if you think before you post things you should be fine. When you are smart with your postings and pictures, security is never an issue.