Issue 2.10
Computer information and ideas for those who don’t speak computerese!
When I teach groups about computers, I often get the following question – “Is the internet a bad or a good thing?” I always reply that computers and the internet are both tools and can be used for good or bad. It is up to us to decide what we will do with them and it is up to us to guide and control those uses for children who don’t have the background to make wise choices in this area for themselves. A shovel is a tool and can be used to dig ditches and irrigate crops, or it can be used to hit your neighbor over the head. The shovel itself is not good or evil, but can be used for either.
Social networking and other similar sites allow you to share your thoughts, ideas, music, pictures and many other types of content with large groups of people. Those such as YouTube are open forums where anything you “post” (write or upload for others to see) is available to anyone in the world with internet access. Social networks such as Facebook, Twitter and My Space are limited by your choices. You choose who you want to see what you post, but it is generally seen by all who have access to your online persona.
Understand that, if you post it online in any way, it may find its way into mass distribution and you can’t do anything about it or punish anyone legally for sharing it. It is part of the public domain. Many have posted a “private” conversation or picture only to have it seen by everyone. Also understand that there are people on these sites that are predators and bullies, and young people may need you to help protect them from these things.
With that caution, I encourage everyone to learn about these networks and see if they can be a “good” tool for them to use. Not only do my wife and I use Facebook to stay in touch with children, friends and relatives that live far away, we also are able to see what our kids that live at home are talking about with their friends and what they are thinking and feeling. It helps us “hear” and “see” more than we would in the usual day-to-day interactions and has improved our communication with them. Our one rule concerning this is that they can only be on these networks if we are also on them and have access to their communications. They initially balked at that, but have accepted it and hardly notice we are there unless we comment on one of their posts.
This is one area where intelligent use of a tool has improved our lives. Remember to stay safe – and always have a backup of anything important.
Shaun McCausland has been in the computer industry for 28 years (locally with Musicomp & Bits ‘N’ Bytes) and currently does in-home and on-site computer consultation, service, training and repair. If you have questions, you can reach him at 668-7118.