Chapter 13, Social and Political Issues

1. Chapter 13, Social and Political Issues Outline13.1 Introduction13.2 Health, Social Interaction and the Internet 13.2.1 Social Health 13.2.2 Children and the Internet13.3 Socio-Economic Segregation13.4 New Economic Workforce13.5 Online Communities 13.5.1 Online Communities: Defining the Difference 13.5.2 Communication Tools 13.5.3 Online Activism13.6 Online Charities and Non-Profit Organizations on the Web

2. 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 • Socio-economic segregation based on those who can afford electronic equipment, access and education and those who cannot

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 • E-mailing, video-conferencing, chat rooms, electronic forums, message boards

4. 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

5. 13.2.2 Children and the Internet • Development of children • Proponents: access gives them a head-start 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

6. 13.3 Socio-Economic 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

7. 13.4 New Economic Workplace • Starting an e-business • New job requirements and more flexibility • Growth and use of digital transmission • Streaming media • Remote office • Personal computers and handheld devices • Outside contractors

8. 13.5 Online Communities • Structure • Not by geographic boundaries but shared interests • Developing communities and facilitating discussion

9. 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

10. 13.5.1 Online Communities: Defining the Difference Examples of ethnic Web sites:

11. 13.5.1 Online Communities: Defining the Difference Online communities based on shared interests:

12. 13.5.1 Online Communities: Defining the Difference Gender-specific communities:

13. 13.5.1 Online Communities: Defining the Difference Gender-specific communities:

14. 13.5.2 Communication Tools • Chatting enables social interaction on the Web • EGroups.comallows users to join interest-based e-mail groups • Distributed to the whole group • Start their own groups and select members • Crowdburst • Allows groups to tour the Web together • Participate.com • Helps e-businesses build online communities • AOL Instant Messenger and MSN Messenger Service

15. 13.5.2 Communication Tools Person-to-person and conference calls through Firetalk. (Courtesy of Firetalk Communications, Inc.)

16. 13.5.2 Communication Tools Firetalk’s Instant Messaging interface. (Courtesyof Firetalk Communications, Inc.)

17. 13.5.2 Communication Tools Firetalk Web-based tour. (Courtesy of Firetalk Communications, Inc.)

18. 13.5.3 Online Activism • 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 decision-making • Igc.org • Human rights, racism, sexism • WomenNet, EcoNet, PeaceNet, Anti-RacismNet • National Organization for Women and the Hunger Project • Resourcelink.org • Surplus food supplies

19. 13.5.3 Online Activism • 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 • Collaborative-computing network • Support a number of causes by donating unused computer time

20. 13.5.3 Online Activism Youth Activism home page. (Courtesy of Activism Project 2000.)

21. 13.6 Online Charities and Non Profit Organizations on the Web • Relative ease of designing and maintaining a content-based Web site • Web of Hope • Fundraising • Grant Applications • Stopitnow.com • Helpline for sexual offenders • Information and contacts

22. 13.6 Online Charities and Non Profit Organizations on the Web Online organizations and charities: