Chapter 13 - Social and political issues. This chapter includes contents: Health, social interaction and the internet; socio-economic segregation; new economic workforce; online communities; online charities and non-profit organizations on the web.
1 Chapter 13, Social and Political Issues Outline 13.1 Introduction 13.2 Health, Social Interaction and the Internet 13.2.1 Social Health 13.2.2 Children and the Internet 13.3 SocioEconomic Segregation 13.4 New Economic Workforce 13.5 Online Communities 13.5.1 Online Communities: Defining the Difference 13.5.2 Communication Tools 13.5.3 Online Activism 13.6 Online Charities and NonProfit Organizations on the Web 2001 Prentice Hall, Inc. All rights reserved 13.1 Introduction • Internet as a valuable social tool – Learning, business and communications – Influence on our commercial, political and social lives – Provides forum for addressing important issues, supporting causes and meeting new individuals • Digital divide – Socioeconomic segregation based on those who can afford electronic equipment, access and education and those who cannot 2001 Prentice Hall, Inc. All rights reserved 3 13.2 Health, Social Interaction and the Internet • Opponents and Proponents – Life becoming too dependent on the Internet – Studies show users spending more time on the Internet • less time devoted to interpersonal communication – Internet provides alternatives to traditional forms of communication • Emailing, videoconferencing, chat rooms, electronic forums, message boards 2001 Prentice Hall, Inc. All rights reserved 13.2.1 Social Health • Stanford University Study – Internet users socially isolated – Study was later called into question • Availability of material – Pornography, gambling, Internet scams and violence • Tolerance varies in different regions of world • Pornography is protected by U.S. Constitution • Ability for individuals of all age groups to access material considered harmful 2001 Prentice Hall, Inc. All rights reserved 5 13.2.2 Children and the Internet • Development of children – Proponents: access gives them a headstart in their education – Opponents: not suitable • Interrupts communication skills • Distracts children from outdoor activity • Explicit speech and adult conversations found in chat rooms – Filtering software and other methods for restricting access • Home schooling and Internet use – Advocates: efficient learning environment • Lessons tailored to the aptitude of the student • Online text chatting and message boards • Online tutors, classes and supplementary information – Opponents: limited social interaction 2001 Prentice Hall, Inc. All rights reserved 6 13.3 SocioEconomic Segregation • Digital divide – Cost of access, support, instructions – Not all users own credit cards – Food stamps are not accepted by most online merchants • Consequences – Lack of access and skills • Limited applicants for technical positions • Possible affect on economy as growth is hindered by limited resources • Efforts to bridge the gap • AOL@School • PeoplePC • Computers For Youth 2001 Prentice Hall, Inc. All rights reserved 7 13.4 New Economic Workplace • Starting an ebusiness – New job requirements and more flexibility – Growth and use of digital transmission • Streaming media – Remote office • Personal computers and handheld devices • Outside contractors 2001 Prentice Hall, Inc. All rights reserved 13.5 Online Communities • Structure – Not by geographic boundaries but shared interests – Developing communities and facilitating discussion 2001 Prentice Hall, Inc. All rights reserved 13.5.1 Online Communities: Defining the Difference • Text communication • Gender, race, creed, age and sexual orientation play a limited role in the user’s experience • Issues and action – Present an idea or opinion in the political sphere 2001 Prentice Hall, Inc. All rights reserved 10 13.5.1 Online Communities: Defining the Difference Examples of ethnic Web sites: Web sites www.blackvoices.com www.migente.com www.asianavenue.com www.blackplanet.com www.celt.net 2001 Prentice Hall, Inc. All rights reserved 11 13.5.1 Online Communities: Defining the Difference Online communities based on shared interests: Community URL Purp ose AgriVille: Online Farming Community www.agri-ville.com To connect farmers online and provide relevant current events. Online seminars and discussion are also available. The Learning Space www.learningspace.org To connect educators and provide discussion and information on educational issues. www.gca.ca To provide a forum for individuals interested in protecting the environment. Green Communities Association 2001 Prentice Hall, Inc. All rights reserved 12 13.5.1 Online Communities: Defining the Difference Genderspecific communities: GenderSpecific Sites URL Purpose The Men’s Issues Page www.vix.com/pub Offers information on /men/index.html men’s issues, such as fatherhood and physical health. www.vicaids.asn Provides health and Victorian AIDS au Council/ Gay Men’s treatment information Health Centre for men with AIDS. www.menshealth Presents health Men’s Health com information, current events and interactive chat opportunities. 2001 Prentice Hall, Inc. All rights reserved 13 13.5.1 Online Communities: Defining the Difference Genderspecific communities: Women.com www.women.com Provides women’s health information, current events and interactive opportunities. Advancing Woman www.advancingwomen.com An online career advancement center for women in technology. Ms. Foundation for Women www.ms.foundation.org The Web site for the National Women’s Fund. Presents women’s issues, events and contribution opportunities. African American Women’s members.tripod.com/~AAWN1 Provides access to cultural, Network personal and professional development. News articles, classes and directories are available on the site. 2001 Prentice Hall, Inc. All rights reserved 14 13.5.2 Communication Tools • Chatting enables social interaction on the Web • EGroups.com allows users to join interest based email groups – Distributed to the whole group – Start their own groups and select members • Crowdburst – Allows groups to tour the Web together • Participate.com – Helps ebusinesses build online communities • AOL Instant Messenger and MSN Messenger Service 2001 Prentice Hall, Inc. All rights reserved 15 13.5.2 Communication Tools Persontoperson and conference calls through Firetalk. (Courtesy of Firetalk Communications, Inc.) 2001 Prentice Hall, Inc. All rights reserved 16 13.5.2 Communication Tools Firetalk’s Instant Messaging interface. (Courtesy of Firetalk Communications, Inc.) 2001 Prentice Hall, Inc. All rights reserved 17 13.5.2 Communication Tools Firetalk Webbased tour. (Courtesy of Firetalk Communications, Inc.) 2001 Prentice Hall, Inc. All rights reserved 13.5.3 Online Activism 18 • Activism, social awareness and the ability to build online communities around these issues of concern • Political and social action – Youthactivism.com • Information on picking a cause, team organization and decisionmaking – Igc.org • Human rights, racism, sexism • WomenNet, EcoNet, PeaceNet, AntiRacismNet • National Organization for Women and the Hunger Project – Resourcelink.org • Surplus food supplies 2001 Prentice Hall, Inc. All rights reserved 13.5.3 Online Activism 19 • Voting online – Learn more about the candidates – People could regularly log on and vote directly on the issues that interest them – Obstacles • Crashes, computer hackers • SETI@home – Collaborativecomputing network • Support a number of causes by donating unused computer time 2001 Prentice Hall, Inc. All rights reserved 13.5.3 Online Activism 20 Youth Activism home page. (Courtesy of Activism Project 2000.) 2001 Prentice Hall, Inc. All rights reserved 21 13.6 Online Charities and Non Profit Organizations on the Web • Relative ease of designing and maintaining a contentbased Web site • Web of Hope – Fundraising – Grant Applications • Stopitnow.com – Helpline for sexual offenders – Information and contacts 2001 Prentice Hall, Inc. All rights reserved 22 13.6 Online Charities and Non Profit Organizations on the Web Online organizations and charities: Organization The Hunger Site URL www.thehungersite.com Cause Internet surfers can initiate corporate donations by clicking on their advertisements. Big Brother Association www.bigbroboston.org Provides information and applications for becoming a big brother in the Boston area. American Rivers Online www.amrivers.org Learn more about endangered rivers in the United States. Favors Unlimited www.favorsunlimited.com Web surfers can visit this site and look through postings of people in need. www.drugfreeamerica.org Provides parents and their children with information. www.ejaf.org Lists fundraisers and facilitates auctions. DrugFree America Elton John AIDS Foundation 2001 Prentice Hall, Inc. All rights reserved ... Internet as a valuable social tool – Learning, business and communications – Influence on our commercial, political and social lives – Provides forum for addressing important issues, supporting causes and meeting new individuals ... 13.5.3 Online Activism 18 • Activism, social awareness and the ability to build online communities around these issues of concern • Political and social action – Youthactivism.com • Information on picking a cause, team organization and ... The Learning Space www.learningspace.org To connect educators and provide discussion and information on educational issues. www.gca.ca To provide a forum for individuals interested in protecting the environment.