anguyen06

[anguyen06]

What is the reasoning behind the order you chose for weighing the factors? 

Blog Post: Week 13 Due 11/18

Q: What kind of social media site or digital platform am I creating?

I want to create a social media platform in which users can discover new movies and TV shows based on different genres and their ratings. It would be set up similarly to both Reddit or Discord. It would have the element of different channels like Discord, but users would be able to “upvote” movies and shows based on if they like the content. In that way, it was the aspect of Instagram or TikTok with a “for you page” which becomes customized to the individual user.

Q: What will you measure?

The social media platform would measure various demographic information to improve the recommendations for the user. Such things will include age, gender identity, interests/hobbies, and favorite movie. Additionally, it will measure the engagement with various genres of films or TV shows to help better recommend further films or shows. These various aspects of the individual will influence the profiles of individuals, leading to the correct information reaching the right audience. The platform will also request their email when they sign-up so users can receive recommendations via email.

Q: How will you weight these factors?

These factors will be ranked: (1) Age, (2) Gender identity, (3) Interests/Hobbies, (4) Favorite movie, (5) Email

Q: What factors will not be measured?

Various media platforms include “downvoting” or “disliking” options on posts or videos. With my app/platform, there will only be “upvoting” meaning that if someone doesn’t “upvote” something, they won’t be recommended similar movies or shows again. Removing the negativity attached to dislikes is critical for this platform. The platform will also not measure comments. Users will be able to rate genres, movies, and shows with stars. Additionally, users private information will not be available for other users to view. Age, gender identity, interests and hobbies will remain private. However, users’ favorite movies or shows will be visible, along with their ratings.

Q: How will the model learn or adapt to new information?

The platform will remain up-to-date with current popular movies/shows, as well as new releases. In terms of any updates, changes will be available to the users and there will be complete transparency.

Q: What biases will be built into the model? How will this change the algorithm’s outcome?

The model will be based on data collected by users and there will be no biases based on age or gender identity which would influence certain genres being recommended solely based on that factors. By avoiding these biases, the algorithm will be representative of the individuals users. The recommendations will be made based on ratings and popularity.

Q: How will the model live out the (un)ethical practices we have discussed?

Due to the personal information of users remaining private on this platform, this will help combat racism and sexism. There will be no assumptions of interests based on someone’s race, gender identity, or ethnicity. Additionally, there are no comments on this platform which will also block individuals from engaging in such behavior, as well as reducing cyber harassment. Finally, user’s right to be forgotten will also be upheld. When users delete their accounts, their information and data collected (recommendations) will also be removed completely.

[anguyen06]

Do you believe that a certain demographic will have a harder time using this platform than other groups (i.e. age vs gender)? 

FINAL BLOG POST - DUE 11/18/2021

1. What kind of social media site or digital platform am I creating?

The media platform I am creating is called “Inspire.” This media platform is meant for people who are looking for words of encouragement or motivation. People will be able to write a short post about what is troubling them, what they need motivation to do, or what has inspired them throughout the week. Once a post is made, people can interact with it by liking it or commenting.

2. What will you measure?

To register for an account the following information will be collected: name, email, age, city, and gender. The demographics will help narrow down which posts will show up on someone’s feed. Users will be able to look up friends’ accounts and follow them. Users will also be able to follow accounts that show up on their “explore” page. Accounts that are promoted on their explore page will be of users who have similar demographics.

3. How will you weigh these factors?

These factors will be weighted in city and age. Where the user is located is an important aspect to make sure that other users are able to give information/inspiration or resources that are relevant to the user. Additionally, I think age is an important factor to consider so that the advice or inspiration they are receiving is not outdated or unfamiliar or unrealistic to them.

4. What factors will not be measured?

The factors that will not be measured are income levels, religion, race, or exact location. Although the app does use the city the user lives in, it does not require location services to be turned on. Additionally, everyone needs inspiration or help with their struggles no matter their background or how much money they have so those things will not be measured.

5. How will the model learn or adapt to new information?

The platform will be updated regularly to fix any bugs, especially in the early stages of release. Additionally, the users will be made aware of any big changes to the app or the terms and conditions prior to the change occurring. Lastly, because some personal data is being collected the platform will ensure that no one’s information is being sold or shared with anyone.

6. What biases will be built into the model? How will this change the algorithm’s outcome?

Biases may be formed by the team that monitors the platform. The platform algorithm will also be biased towards any type of negativity, it will flag any inappropriate or negative words that may be considered harmful to others. Any harmful or negative comments will be taken down, either by the user of the initial post or by the algorithm/staff.

7. How will the model live out the (un)ethical practices we have discussed?

The app allows for total deletion of a user’s profile if the user chooses to delete or if the users account has been flagged too many times. When an account is deleted, it will be permanent, and all of the personal information provided by the user will be deleted from the system. Doing so allows the former user the “right to be forgotten.”

[anguyen06]

Week 13: Final Blog Post (due 11/18)

Creating my Ethical Model for an Algorithm

Determine what kind of social media site or digital platform you are creating. Then answer the following questions, explaining your decisions. (Remember the key here is to create an ethical algorithm model).

The social media platform I am creating is a platform where female gamers are able to socialize, collaborate with and interact with others in a safe community. Any female who is starting out or wants to create fellow female gamers will now have a platform for easier communication. It is no doubt that women playing games face a more difficult experience starting a game or to actively play a game. By creating this platform, its goal is to create a safe haven from the sexism and hate comments that female gamers may face in game.

What will you measure?

This social media platform will measure how many female gamers or gamer enthusiasts are online. It will display- on the home page- the number of users that are actively using the platform. It will also create a chat tab so that female gamers have a place to reach out and request for other female gamers to play games with. Technical updates, information updates, and reviews on popular/relevant games will be available to users as a credible source. Ranks, achievements, and usernames/taglines will be available, if the users wish to make it available, for others to join in the same ranking system as them. Also, the optimal schedule and time of play for each user can be identified in order to easily find companions that have similar availability. Another factor would be a feature to post highlights, montages, or clips of their best gameplay or memorable moments in gaming.

How will you weigh these factors?

Important factors that should be considered are the communication feature (1), scheduling (2), and what rank each individual is (3). Communication features, such as chat boxes or voice chat, are necessary so that there is an easy way to contact people. Scheduling is important due to the different time zones that make it difficult to plan an appropriate time to play together. Displaying the time zone or scheduling times in one’s bio makes it easier to find individuals to play with. Displaying the elo rank, the skill level in video games, is important because even though two individuals want to play a game together, oftentimes, ranking systems in games, such as competitive mode in Valorant, hinder their ability to play with one another. Activity and information/updates are not as necessary to know as the aforementioned.

What factors will not be measured?

Factors that cannot be measured will be an accurate detection of any possible trolls or imposters that would lie and claim that they are female in order to mess with users and potentially sabotage their gaming experience. There is also the possibility of users being disrespectful and toxic, whether that be for entertainment purposes or because of poor gaming performance or experiences with other users. One factor that would not play a significant role in this platform would be age because generally, people are not willing to share their age online, and playing games with people that are significantly older or younger than you is not irregular or does not play a significant role in terms of playing video games.

How will the model learn or adapt to new information?

The model will ensure that there will be daily news on updates that games have and information about games. For example, when a new character comes out, if there are new terms and conditions, if there are possible rewards to collect, etc., this model will inform users of these updates. It will also post future updates and visions for games.

What biases will be built into the model? How will this change the algorithm's outcome?

Biases that will be built into the model include gender filters that would only urge females to use the platform due to its initial purpose. Another bias that would unintentionally be built into the model is against players that underperform compared to others. If an individual plays with someone who is not able to perform up to expectations, they may choose to abandon them, leaving those who are not as skilled as others to be left out as outcasts on the platform.

How will the model live out the (un)ethical practices we have discussed?

The model will live out the unethical practice of individual’s content or videos being spread outside the intended audience/platform. Even though this platform was designed for female gamers to post their content in confidence in a safer community, it still has the risk of being taken out of this platform and posted on other platforms to be judged or ridiculed.

[anguyen06]

What are the ways that technology users can do to feel safer using technology?

Blog Post #10 - ONLINE PIRATES

As a young adult, do you feel that your privacy is at risk with all of our technology? Why or why not?

Yes, I do have those fears that my privacy is at risk. We have cameras everywhere, on our computers, phones, even around our house. I try to have the peace of mind that the government does not care about what I do on a daily basis. If I’m not doing anything suspicious, why would I care if someone is watching me? Of course, there are those who will abuse these powers and spy on someone inappropriately. That is when my fear kicks in.

What is the Tin Can Comms Collective?

The Tin Can Comms Collective is a group of communication rebels. They are located across Pittsburgh. The group uses Twitter to send out mass messages during protests. They describe the events observed on the streets or what is said over police scanners. 

Which Data Detox tips do you already use and which will you begin to use?

I already lock my digital doors. I use FaceID, passcodes, and strong passwords in order to secure my accounts. I additionally have a second key, meaning that all of my accounts require duo factor authentication. A tip I need to remember to do is the location one. I am guilty of always allowing apps to track my location. I need to limit those that do. I always hit accept because why would my Hollister app need to know my location, and what harm would it do?

What is the perk of using a VPN?

A Virtual Private Network securely connects to websites using different encryption, so that it is impossible to eavesdrop on or track information. Many companies offer a VPN service and it is fairly cheap too. The only downside of using a VPN is that they are slightly slower in speed than not having one. Its slower because it routes your traffic anonymously through another server.

This is the last time! I hope to have another time to talk with yall! XOXO Jordan

Sources:

FemTechNet. (n.d.). Retrieved November 12, 2021, from https://femtechnet.org/csov/.

Power, M. (2010, March 11). How your twitter account could land you in jail. Mother Jones. Retrieved November 12, 2021, from https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2010/03/police-twitter-riots-social-media-activists/.

Tech, T. (n.d.). Homepage. Data Detox Kit. Retrieved November 12, 2021, from https://www.datadetoxkit.org/.

Www.iwp.edu. (n.d.). Retrieved November 12, 2021, from https://www.iwp.edu/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/20170522_FearasInstitution.pdf. 

[anguyen06]

Do you believe that social media users are becoming too open with their information and personal life?

Blog Post: Week 12 Due 11/11

Q: What risks are associated with protestors using social media?

Though there are many ways in which social media benefits and helps protestors, such as spreading awareness, reaching a wider audience, and organizing protests, there are some consequences that can result from this action. The case of Madison and Wallschlaeger is a good example of how authorities can use the Internet to identify protestors. There was a raid of their house at the beginning of a protest. Madison and Wallschlaeger were tracking the movements of authorities and reporting them on social media to help protestors on the streets. They were charged with two felonies and one misdemeanor. Protestors must be aware that using social media to gain insight information can be used both ways and they should be careful with the kind of information they are sharing. As for the individuals actually hacking into and monitoring police activity, the risks are greater.

Q: What steps can individuals take to make their online accounts and profiles more secure?

There are many things people can do to be more secure online. For one, there are Anti-virus softwares available to download which are intended to detect and then remove viruses and other malware from your computer or laptop. Updating passwords every now and then, as well as using unique passwords for every login also reduces the chances of being hacked. People can also get a VPN which encrypts your internet traffic, blocking people from getting into your data through the Internet network. Universities have started to use two-factor authentication for student logins which adds another layer of protection and authentication. The easiest step individuals can take is making their social media account private.

Q: Where is the line when it comes to privacy and surveillance?

The government has greater surveillance now than ever and the activities of individuals has never been less private. The concept of surveillance is to protect, but it also controls and constrains individuals. I think there is a fine line when it comes to surveillance and invading people's privacy. The danger is that surveillance can be used in sinister ways. A big issue with surveillance comes down to people being unaware of the fact that they are being surveilled.

Q: Why should people be aware of the content they share on social media?

Posts on social media essentially exist forever. Once something has been put out on the Internet, it is extremely difficult to fully erase any evidence of it. There could be backups or screenshots. It has recently become more of an issue where people are being fired due to their online presence. This is especially evident since TikTok has become such a huge social media platform. The type of information and opinions posted online can be viewed by virtually anyone. This comes with risks associated. You want to portray yourself online the same way you wish to be viewed by others.

Parenti, C. (2004). The Soft Cage: Surveillance in America from slavery to the War on Terror. Basic Books.

Power, M. (2010, March 11). How your Twitter account could land you in jail. Mother Jones. Retrieved November 11, 2021, from https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2010/03/police-twitter-riots-social-media-activists/.

[anguyen06]

Week 12 Blog Post #10 (due 11/11)

Is police arrest for association of participating in a protest justified?

In the Mother Jones reading, there was a protest being organized, and police were there to aggressively end the protesting. Two men were accused of conspiring with the protest groups, and were arrested after their homes were rushed into (Power, 2011). In this case, there were better ways to approach the situation than, essentially, a police raid into their homes. Typically, raids and arrests are used when the suspect is armed and dangerous. However, this tactic was used for men who were only engaged in passing around information about the protest. The best way to approach this situation was to monitor their actions on the internet to see if their actions constituted a danger to society. The raid seemed to be, for a lack of a better term, an “overkill,” especially since there were other sources that people were getting their information from for the protest.

At what level of escalation should protesting be stopped? In other words, is there a point in the midst of a protest where there needs to be prevention or intervention?

A protest is supposed to be nonviolent advocacy of an ideology or equality. A protest is legal by the United States Constitutional First Amendment by having the right to freedom of speech and freedom of assembly. The only reason law enforcement should be involved is if the protest turns violent and/or violates any laws. During the Black Lives Matter protest, there were “looters,” who were people who took advantage of the uproar by looting and trashing stores and businesses. This is when law enforcement should take action against these people because of the laws they were breaking: breaking and entering as well as stealing. What was wrong with law enforcement making an appearance during the Black Lives Matter protest was when they started aggressively restraining innocent people who were fighting for equality in legal ways. 

How has surveillance changed throughout the 21st century?

Nowadays, the FBI are resorting to getting additional information through schools that have plenty of information about their student base. The law states that universities have the freedom to share this information to law enforcement agencies without a court order as long as they have limits. Specifically, the Department of Education guidelines prohibits “name, address, e-mail address, telephone number, field of study, the weight and height of athletes, and the date and place of birth,” all without a court order (Parenti 2004). However, a subpoena is required in order to present ID numbers, Social Security numbers, and information about students’ ethnicity, race, citizenship, and gender. All of this information that schools and universities are able to keep on file allows law enforcement agencies to access information that they need from students with ease. This would make it much easier for law enforcement agencies to identify specific students or match certain information to a specific student’s information.

Should social media users be worried about how much information can be found through the Internet?

Social media users should be worried about how much information is out there on the Internet if they take part in posting about matters that would cause serious problems, specifically with the government. For example, people that are planning a protest may be investigated by the government in order to find out if the protest could be illegal or provoke violence and chaos. Users should be aware that their personal information is easily accessible through the Internet if law enforcement does have a reason to research and investigate their account. However, anybody that is cautious about what they post and stay from any suspicious activity should not be worried, but should be cautious about how much information they provide on these social media platforms. After all, any stalker or hacker could use this information against them to blackmail or partake in identity theft if users are not cautious about personal information they reveal online.

References:

Parenti, C. (2004). The Soft Cage: Surveillance in America from slavery to the War on Terror. Basic Books.

Power, M. (2010). How your Twitter account could land you in jail. Mother Jones. Retrieved November 11, 2021, from https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2010/03/police-twitter-riots-social-media-activists/.

[anguyen06]

Out of the four stages of social movement, what do you believe is the most vital stage to play out?

Blog post #9 due 11/04

Will controlling images go away?

Controlling images will never go away. I think controlling images are worse than stereotypes. Society use controlling images to normalize racism, sexism, and poverty, etc. For example, it puts males above females, whites above blacks, or heterosexuals above homosexuals. I don’t understand the notion of controlling images because they’re unaware; however, POC is targeted the most. For example, POC is labeled criminals, gangsters, thieves, etc., so it’s easy to blame them for any crime. Furthermore, the Central Park Five falls into this category of controlling images. They were found guilty for a crime that they didn’t commit, but no one believed them because they were POC.

Have you heard of the anonymous hacker on twitter and what does he stand for? Is it good?

The anonymous hacker is an individual that goes on the internet when things get out of control in the movement. Although only one individual goes on camera, there’s a group of four or five individuals that hack and control the internet for a short amount of time. The group is known for being a hacktivist. Is it good that they hack government accounts? I don’t think it’s ethical to hack into anyone’s account, but others might disagree. Overall, I believe that change can’t be accomplished by being on the good side. As long as no one is hurt and the world isn’t a disaster, then it’s okay to be a hacktivist. For example, the anonymous hacker made an appearance on Twitter during the BLM movement. They demanded that the protesters be left alone and demanded justice for George Floyd, or else they would leak all their information.

What makes a successful protest?

Protest can take place online or in real life. For example, online protest consists of hashtags or sharing posts to raise awareness and advocate for the cause. On the other hand, protesting in real life makes posters and seeks attention from individuals to join the cause. Furthermore, a successful protest consists of using your voice and advocating for change. It is essential to communicate the information that individuals from different age groups understand. The more people who understand and know about the data, the more they will increase the number of alliances and supporters. It’s essential to connect with everyone by using social media and any other resources. A protest can include social activists from across the world to make the protest popular.

What are the stages of a social movement?

A social movement has four stages. The stages are the preliminary stage, the popular stage, the formalization stage, and the stage of institutionalization of the movement.

·      The preliminary stage: people are restless because the social movement can bring discomfort due to change or social order. However, it’s a good thing that people are uneasy because it creates the potential for social movement. For example, if people are 100 percent comfortable and satisfied with everything, no one will want to change anything.

·      The popular stage: People establish and identify a leader for the social movement in this stage. The leader needs to be wise, charismatic, and supportive, or individuals will not follow them.

·      The formalization stage: goals, ideas, alliances, and tactics are formed. People voice their ideology and alternative-view on how to continue with their social movement.

·      The stage of institutionalization of the movement: when it becomes successful, it destroys itself because the social movement is part of society’s norm. Furthermore, change will happen over time.

Bogost, I. (2020, April 17). The Quiet Revolution of Animal Crossing. The Atlantic. Retrieved November 4, 2021, from https://www.theatlantic.com/family/archive/2020/04/animal-crossing-isnt-escapist-its-political/610012/.

Eichler, C. (2018, February 20). Fuchs ch. 4: Social Media and Communication Power. Medium. Retrieved November 4, 2021, from https://medium.com/cu-boulder-cmci-social-media-storytelling/fuchs-ch-4-social-media-and-communication-power-2104bb622997.

Lee, L. A. (2017, March 5). Black Twitter: A response to bias in mainstream media. MDPI. Retrieved November 4, 2021, from https://www.mdpi.com/2076-0760/6/1/26.

Vegh, S. (2013, August 21). Classifying forms of online activism: The case of cyberprotests again. Taylor & Francis. Retrieved November 4, 2021, from https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/edit/10.4324/9780203954317-9/classifying-forms-online-activism-case-cyberprotests-world-bank-sandor-vegh.

[anguyen06]

Hashtags are a fast way to spread word of social issues. Are there any big scale ways that could spread awareness of social issues and injustices on the Internet even faster?

Blog Post #9 - Week 11 Due 11/4

How does awareness for social issues and injustices spread on the Internet?

One way social awareness is done is through social media sites such as Twitter. The use of a hashtag or “#” before a phrase can help spread the message about a certain topic. When it comes to the awareness of the tragic events that happened in Minneapolis with police violence/ brutality, the hastag #BlackLivesMatter gained a lot of traction to spread the word . According to the author, “These popular hashtags affirm the power of black Twitter in sparking [national] conversations of racial bias and systemic violence against black bodies,” (Lee, 2017). In hindsight, this online movement and hashtag helped spread awareness globally, not just in the United States.

In what ways is it easier to mobilize a protest in modern society?

It is definitely easier to organize a protest in today’s world. This is because with easy access to the internet and social media, people are aware, can promote, and even invite others to join in such protests. One recent example was during the Black Lives Matter protests, word of the gatherings were unquestionably facilitated primarily through the internet. The author claims, “without the internet, there would have been no street protests,” (Fuchs, 2018). Since just about anyone can access the internet at about any time, it’s easy to see how activists can gather protests. Back a hundred years ago, movements were probably for the most part, spread by worth of mouth, but with the internet, this information is much more easily distributed.

In addition to the internet, what’s the next best thing or other forms of communication to raise awareness for social issues?

Mainstream media or news outlets have definitely been the main source of information for most people for the past few decades. It is still a very effective and relevant means to provide knowledge on contemporary issues and developments. Because of this, hacktivists like to get media attention so their agenda can be further publicized. The author writes, “media attention guarantees wide visibility and the most effective forum for publicizing the issues in contention,” (Vegh, 2013). Vegh argues that media outlets help hacktivists achieve their goals because their motives are to raise awareness of the social issue in question by having their group or efforts publicized through news outlets. This helps reach thousands, even millions of people who would otherwise not be aware of such issues.

References

Fuchs, C. (2018). Communication Power in the Arab Spring and Occupy Movement . In Social Media: A Critical Introduction 

Lee, L. (2017). Black twitter: A Response to Bias in Mainstream Media. 

Vegh, S. (2013). Classifying Forms of Online Activity . In Cyberactivism: Online Activism in Theory and Practice.

[anguyen06]

Week 11 Blog Post #9 (due 11/04)

How does the internet and technology affect the way people use the internet and technology for a political or social movement?

Social media is one of the more popular ways to campaign a movement and spread information to a wider audience. It makes sense that humans utilize/control technology to their advantage and to their will. However, as Fuchs pointed out in the reading, “[The media - social media, the Internet and all other media-... can dampen/forestall or amplify/advance protest or have not much effect at all. Also, different media (e.g. alternative media and commercial media) stand in a contradictory relation and power struggle with each other” (Fuchs, 2018). To interpret this, social media has a hand in how humans act on these social media platforms. Take for instance how people talk about social movements on Reddit versus Twitter. Reddit is known to showcase toxicity and put down any opposing views. Twitter is more likely to be open to all ideas and respectful. During the Black Lives Matter Movement, people on Twitter were posting videos and threads of the event, while Instagram were posting black squares and hashtags. The format of each platform influences how people “support” or spread information about the movement.

How has the internet changed the way social and political movements happen?

The changes the internet allows one singular post to reach millions of users, expanding upon the growth and influence of the political movements. Instead of growing these movements through word of mouth or marketing through newspapers and signs, the internet allows for not only a rise in awareness over the matter, but also provides a platform for protestors to communicate and plan events. According to Vegh, “the Internet allows an activist to distribute a message to thousands of people all over the world at once and to publish information that is accessible from anywhere anytime with virtually no cost” (Vegh, 2013). Because of the productivity that the Internet provides with its efficient methods of communication, the Internet has become society’s number one option when it comes to the development of social and political movements. Not only does the Internet allow activists to spread information and awareness, but it also revolves “around organizing the movement and carrying out action” (Vegh, 2013). Since activists’ number one goal is causing change, they would want to apply a sense of urgency by taking action, something that the Internet is able to provide them with due to its convenience and wide-spread audience reach.

How has the media aided in the fight for racial equality?

Since many people are unable or unwilling to speak up in person even if it is to defend people of their own race, the Internet lets those who are being discriminated against to fight back and defend themselves. First off, the media can remind society of one of its greatest teachers, history. The history that media can remind society of the “histories of colonization, slavery, and imperialism” (Lee, 2017). Since the world has learned from its biggest mistakes and regrets, reminding society of these problems that occurred in the past proves to be an effective way to prevent society from regaining these negative ideas. Overall, modern media has provided minorities to stand up for themselves and their rights, keeping others from making the same mistakes that their ancestors have already made in the past.

Does communication the Internet provides lead to a more negative or positive environment?

Overall, the Internet provides a more positive atmosphere in society today. Although there may be a lot of hate and negativity spread by those with differing opinions, I believe that society can generally work together to fight against these injustices. Even though not everybody will agree with one another, people are still able to stand up for each other against those who cannot accept that others have different opinions. Trolling and hate crimes may make the internet a dark place, but instead of feeding into this negativity, users need to work towards unity in the way that people respond to one another, stating if they agree or disagree, then moving forward. Even though it may be irritating at times to see someone arguing for an opposing viewpoint, it is important to keep an open mind and understand their point of view because one can always learn from how others think and perceive a situation that you see in a different light. The positives of the internet are when minority groups are able to find a community online when their lives off screen are judgemental. It goes without saying that the internet may have its flaws, but there are many positives the internet provides that should be focused on.

References:

Fuchs, C. (2018). Communication Power in the Arab Spring and Occupy Movement. In Social Media: A critical Introduction (pp. 83-88). essay, SAGE.

Lee, L. (2017). Black twitter: A response to bias in mainstream media. Social Sciences, 6(1), 26. https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci6010026

Vegh, S. (2013). Classifying Forms of Online Activity. In Cyberactivism: Online activism in theory and Practice. essay, Routledge.

[anguyen06]

What specific aspects of cyber stalking make it the worst out of the three?

BLOG POST #8 - DUE 10/28/2021

1. What are the downfalls of easy to make social media accounts such as reddit?

The only information needed to make a reddit account is a username, a password, and to passing a captcha test. The ease of the account making process and the lack of personally identifying information has come with a rise of “novelty accounts” which are mainly used to reference to memes. However, the rise in these types of accounts also comes with trolls and harassers. Because there are no ways to identify the users (unless an email is linked to the account, which is not necessary to make the account) people feel as though they can say anything they want. They do not think there will be any repercussions for what they say or do on platforms such as Reddit because they can’t be “caught.” The only real repercussion is getting their account banned but even then, they can easily create another one.

2. Have you ever trolled someone, seen someone being trolled, or been a victim of trolling?

I personally have never trolled someone or been a victim of trolling. My Instagram and Facebook accounts are private, and I never post videos or comments on TikTok, so I don’t have much to be trolled on. However, I have seen trolling comments all over platforms such as TikTok and Twitter. A lot of the victims of trolling are big content creators such as Brooklyne Webb (TikTok- xobrooklyne), potroastsmom, and Madison Brinkdopke (cartersmomma). Brooklynne gets a lot of trolls saying that she is trying to hard and that her facial expressions are “too much.” Potroastsmom gets trolls who say thinks like “I love pot roast, but I don’t like the lady,” this is something she finds amusing and brings it up on her account a lot. Lastly, Madison gets troll comments saying she should be happy that she already has one baby and shouldn’t be trying so hard and complaining she can’t get pregnant a second time around (she did just announce she finally got pregnant again after trying for over a year and a half).

3. What are some creative ways to combat trolls and trolling?

A lot of trolls feed off the attention they receive from pushing people buttons, they see the attention as a win. The only real way to stop a troll is to ignore them and block them. Other ways of combatting trolling behavior are to report troll accounts to the platform. Personally, if I see any harassing or trolling comments made on other people’s accounts, I will report that comment and the trollers account itself. Unfortunately, though, the platforms usually do not see trolling behavior as going against their guidelines, so it is really difficult to get the accounts removed and stop or punish these individuals making the accounts. Without more action from platforms there will still be a place for trolls on them.

4. What is the difference between trolling, cyber harassment, and cyber stalking?

Trolling is when an individual purposefully disrupts online spaces in attempts to be funny, provocative, or to act as an antagonist. Trolls are often looking to create conflict for amusement and entertainment, not necessarily for real harm.

Cyber harassment are intentional behaviors that are meant to demean, humiliate, embarrass, and cause emotional harm to a person through persistent and consistent interactions. Cyber harassers will go out of their ways to purposely hurt someone online to hurt them or to cause them to quit the platform.

Cyber stalking, arguably the worst of the three, is repeated and unwanted behavior and attention toward another person that causes the victim to fear for their own safety.

[anguyen06]

Do you think after a victim endures online harassment that they are able to recover?

Week 10 Blog Post Due 10/29

Q: How can we examine trolling through an intersectional lens?

Intersectionality, a term coined by Kimberle Crenshaw, explains how many intersecting factors in people's lives affect the way they are treated by society. It is not enough to just explore the demographic of women or a certain racial group but to dive deeper into the intersections of race, class, gender, sexuality, ability, and religion. In a study about online harassment, young adults aged 18-29 reported that 65% of those studied had been targets of online harassment. Specifically young women aged 18-24 reported a 26% rate of online stalking and a 25% rate of online sexual harassment. An example of intersectionality in online stalking would be the case of Leslie Jones. She was harassed online after the all female remake of the Ghostbusters movie was released. Leslie Jones is a black woman and her online harassment was specifically targeted around her race.

Q: Will social media always have trolls and trolling?

I believe there will always be trolls and trolling in online spaces especially with the lack of rules and regulations surrounding such actions. The line between joking and trolling can be a thin one without a specific separation. In 1992 the first record of trolling was recorded but that does not mean that this was the first case of trolling. A troll means to deceive someone and they can be used as a social deterrent against lying. Without guidelines on how to deal with trolls and trolling, I believe this will continue to be an issue and will be worse in the future as technology expands.

Q: How can identity tourism be seen in trolling?

Identity tourism involves someone pretending to be someone else online. This can be seen in trolling by the individual hiding behind a fake profile. An example of identity tourism would be the documentary Catfish in which a woman used fake pictures, stories, and profiles online to deceive Nev Schulman. There is always a question of who are we really talking to online. Who you talk to online may or may not be the person you think it is. Trolls can take on the race, gender, etc. of other individuals in order to hide themselves and continue to harass people online without consequence.

Q: How can online harassment lead to real life consequences?

Online harassment includes threats of violence, privacy invasions, reputation harming lies, calls for strangers to harm victims, and technological attacks. In the case of “Anna Mayer,” online harassment turned into a real life nightmare. She was targeted online and had specific websites dedicated to hurting her employment opportunities. Another example of online harassment leading to real life consequences is the use of revenge porn in which nude photos or videos are leaked by someone the person usually trusts. Some ex-husbands have even gone as far as posting fake Craigslist ads stating their ex wanted to be raped and attacked. They would leave the address and their photo online and then send men to their home to attack them under the guise that she had posted the ad. These issues of online harassment led to brutal attacks against women.

References:

Citron, D. K. (2014). Introduction. Hate Crimes in Cyberspace, 1–32. https://doi.org/10.4159/harvard.9780674735613.intro

Duggan, M. (2020, August 17). Online harassment. Pew Research Center: Internet, Science & Tech. Retrieved October 27, 2021, from https://www.pewresearch.org/internet/2014/10/22/online-harassment/.

Phillips, W. (2015). Defining terms: The origins and evolution of subcultural trolling. This Is Why We Can't Have Nice Things, 55–87. https://doi.org/10.7551/mitpress/10288.003.0004

Silman, A. (2016, August 24). A Timeline of Leslie Jones's Horrific Online Abuse. The Cut. Retrieved October 27, 2021, from https://www.thecut.com/2016/08/a-timeline-of-leslie-joness-horrific-online-abuse.html.

[anguyen06]

Week 10 Blog Post #8 (due 10/28)

What are the motives of trolling behavior and what are the ways in which these people troll?

Trolling has appeared on social media and websites, such as Reddit, Facebook, and TikTok, and on gaming platforms with a chat box/voice chat, such as Valorant and Counterstrike. Trolls receive entertainment and satisfaction from the frustration and annoyance of their targets. Trolls want the negative interaction from their target to gather courage and confidence to continue their rampage of torment. Some ways these people troll on social media is by posting inappropriate or irrelevant content, links, and/or pictures in the comment section/posts or by commenting sarcastic, socially unacceptable remarks on posts. In games, trolls purposely make the team that they are on lose the round/ game by denying their team the win or intentionally giving the other team an advantage to win. It is important to note that not all trolling has malicious intent. Some of these methods are used to make the content more funnier, by attaching links to a relevant meme or internet inside joke. For example, people would post videos that are seemingly serious information, but would attach a video of Rick Astley’s “Never Gonna Give You Up”, and call it being “Rick-rolled”.

What are some creative ways to combat trolls and trolling? What role do witnesses play?

When it comes to online and gaming trolls, there are specific ways to combat the various forms of trolls. As Phillips mentioned in the reading, “Some trolls are surprisingly sensitive… Some trolls are extremely difficult to deal with… Some are remarkably self-reflective and intelligent, and some are remarkably not” (Phillips, 2015). Due to this, there needs to be a unique approach to handling the different types of trolls. For the ones that are sensitive, the best approach is to immediately shut down their behavior. By shutting down their behavior right away, it ensures they do not gain confidence to continue their actions. For the ones that are extremely difficult to deal with, the best approach is to, as warned by in the Bergstrom reading, not feed the trolls because it risks adding fuel to the fire;  (Bergstrom, 2011).  Engaging in their destructive behavior will only worsen the situation. The best way to deal with a troll that is being aggressive to other people is to report their account and block their content/account, so these trolls aren’t able to spread negativity. Another approach is to let it be known that “trolling” action is not affecting the individual being targeted. If the troll is being aggressive and is actively trying to gain a certain reaction from the target, it is best to react in a humorous or unaffected manner. The role witnesses play is the role of the bystander. Instead of trying to help the target by standing by their side, witnesses often hide in the shadows while their fellow teammate in game or innocent internet user is being messed around with. In their eyes, it is better for them to stay out of it (and not get involved) so they are not the next target (or center of attention) for the trolls.

How are hate crimes and (cyber)bullying in cyberspace more harmful than in the real world? Why should it be taken more seriously?

Face-to-face hate crimes are already dangerous and damaging to the victim of these crimes; incorporating the anonymity and public aspect of cyberspace and the internet makes these crimes more dire. The more obvious reason why hate crimes in cyberspace are more detrimental is because of how people are able to hide behind fake names and profile pictures -that are harder to be traced back to the real source- to spread hate and harassment. Another reason is how the internet excuses death threats, demeaning insults, and harassment as “free speech” on the internet. What this does is that it makes the target of these hate crimes feel unsafe and paranoid of the potential harm they could possibly receive. An example of this is in the “Hate Crimes in Cyberspace” reading, where a woman, named Marianna Taschinger, felt unsafe leaving her home after her private photos and address were exposed online. This woman had to go to the extent of moving to an apartment building with more security to feel at least a little safer (Citron, 2014). With how open and public the internet and cyberspace is, another reason hate crimes in cyberspace are more dangerous is because of how easy it is for other people to participate in cyberbullying and harassment, even though they may not even know the person that they are committing these crimes to. Hate crimes online need to be taken more seriously, by internet users and the justice system, because whatever is said online has the possibility of transferring from a screen to real life. Cyberstalking an individual’s profile has the possibility of stalking in person, while threats of murdering someone could actually be played out.

What effects do hate crimes have on the victim? Why is it necessary to have strict regulation on what should be allowed to be said online? 

Hate crimes inflict extreme emotional damage to the victim, as seen with Leslie Jones’s timeline of her experience with hate crimes. To summarize, Leslie Jones endured multiple defamation attempts (by people creating fake Twitter accounts in her name to say derogatory slurs) and online harassment because of her appearance in the Ghostbusters movie (Silman, 2016 ). The effect these hate crimes have on Leslie Jones was unbearable for her. Jones felt scared, enraged, heartbroken, and stressed during this ordeal. Most crimes leave the victim feeling emotionally drained. It is necessary to have stricter regulation on what should be said online because of the harm it does to the victim. Freezing and reporting accounts are ways that can ensure these hate crimes do not spread further, but there needs to be more involvement by these social media regulators, such as banning the email being used to create these accounts from creating more alternative accounts after the previous one being suspended.

References:

Bergstrom, K. (2011). “Don’t feed the troll”: Shutting down debate about community expectations on Reddit.com. First Monday. https://doi.org/10.5210/fm.v16i8.3498

Citron, D. K. (2014). Introduction. Hate Crimes in Cyberspace, 1–32. https://doi.org/10.4159/harvard.9780674735613.intro

Phillips, W. (2015). Defining terms: The origins and evolution of subcultural trolling. This Is Why We Can't Have Nice Things, 55–87. https://doi.org/10.7551/mitpress/10288.003.0004

Silman, A. (2016). A Timeline of Leslie Jones's Horrific Online Abuse. The Cut. Retrieved October 27, 2021, https://www.thecut.com/2016/08/a-timeline-of-leslie-joness-horrific-online-abuse.html.

[anguyen06]

Do you think there is danger in embedding people’s personal lives and information into their screen name?

Blog Post 7

Has cyberbullying changed over the years especially in this time where many of us are online more than ever?

From what was described in the reading, the form of cyberbullying featuring white supremist ideology, targets people for just existing. From online interacts that I have seen up until now, cyberbullying is even more present than it was during the time of the readings. Now, these people are openly attacking others without fear of what others have to say. These people are not afraid to reveal who they are, using their personal social media with real names and pictures available for the public to see.

What do people’s online screen name say about them?

For those who use social media sites where a screen name is required, their choice of name can reflect who they are greatly. From the examples the author uses, they were able to identify if they were male or female based on how their named appeared. I found some of the stories for their choice of online name to be interesting as the males tend to use “hero” type names to show their masculinity while the females used more “gentle” words for their names. The structure of some of the names discussed had basic parts that would start with “character/item” followed by some descriptor and finally with some numbers. Breaking apart these names show what the person is modeling their behavior or shares ideals with, while the descriptor and numbers point to their own personal life, for example, the year they were born or the street number the live in.

Is White Supremacy used as a wall to prevent other people’s ideals from enter one’s own? Some of the online discussion from these “white supremist” or those who share white supremist ideas were likely to attack anyone and every who went against what they thought was right. Even when their logic might be wrong or contradict the white supremist ideas, they would make up reasons that make almost no sense just to prove they are right. It would seem that the ideal of “white supremacy” when used for online debate, is just a concept for people to hide behind when they feel threatened.

Are we trending away from the hypersexalization of characters in media today?

The media likes to point fingers at hypersexual characters at any opportunity they get, even when they were no more than a couple of blocks and blobs like the fictional characters of Kyoto Date, Lara Croft, and Ananova. In the world today where it is easy to show off personal creations, there is an endless supply of artistic representation supporting a “natural” and “realistic” look and a sexualized appearance. A character’s appearance can sell products like described with the three characters in the reading, but some have a story behind them and the story that they tell can influence the consumer to think more critically about issues at hand or just how there are designed. There is more representation in the media today, however, the line for what is acceptable in society is always changing.  

References

Daniels, J. (2009). Chapter Five Gender, White Supremacy, and the Internet. In Cyber racism: White supremacy online and the new attack on Civil Rights. essay, Rowman & Littlefield Publishers. Silver, D., & Massanari, A. (2006). Chapter 21 Gender, Technology, and Visual Cyberculture. In Critical cyberculture studies. essay, New York University Press.

[anguyen06]

Are there other ways to prevent white supremacist or extremists groups from existing online that do not infringe on the idea of “freedom of expression”?

Blog Post #7 - Week 8 Due 10/14

Do you think that it can sometimes be difficult to identify oppression?

I believe that it’s difficult to sometimes see, identify, understand oppression and inequalities. As the author writes, “They are as hard to see politically as materially” (Haraway, 1991). People sometimes have motives and prejudices that are difficult to identify as they conceal them so well. This is especially true in politics, as some policies, although not always seemingly intended to be racist, allow for greater prejudices and oppression against different ethnic groups or genders.

How aware are most people of the volume of white supremacy that exists in today’s society?

Personally, I was not aware of how prevalent the ideals of white supremacy still exist today until reading the article, Gender, White Supremacy, and the Internet. Cyber Racism: White Supremacy Online and the New Attack on Civil Rights. According to the article, “129,000 registered members at Stormfront have created an astounding 389,620 threads with 4,833,278 posts” (Daniels, 2009). Even more surprisingly, the author explains that among this group, 159 threads have been separated for white women to post. Even though this report was in 2009, that’s still a very large number of people who still take pride in white supremacy. Based on this data, it would seem that white supremacy is still very prevalent, and some people like myself, weren’t aware of the statistics behind this because the information isn’t always readily available or easily traced.

What are the complications of censoring social media to prevent extremist or supremacist groups?

The complications with censoring extremist and supremacist material include an infringement on freedom of speech. Even though it could be beneficial to society by censoring these social groups, the argument is that the internet should be a free place to express ideas. Of course this is to a certain extent, as long as it doesn’t plot violence or terrorism. 

In what ways can computers or the internet be harmful to human health or relationships?

Although the internet and computers have a countless amount of benefits including easily access knowledge, entertainment, connecting with friends, etc., it is not without a certain level or drawbacks. For example, the author writes, “computing-related activities are still seen as both impersonal and destructive to human relationships-concepts of Internet addiction are a case in point” (O’Riordan, 2006). The author argues that the internet can often damage relationships between humans and this is true when the internet is used as a means to distribute hate and racism. Another example is using the internet for crime. In Dateline NBC’s “To Catch a Predator” series, NBC was able to expose how dangerous the internet can be, as it allowed for older men to prey on young children for sex. These people often had an internet addiction and it unquestionably damaged their human relationships with others around them, including their families, friends, and employers after being exposed on national television.

References:

Daniels, J. (2009). Gender, White Supremacy, and the Internet. Cyber Racism: White Supremacy Online and the New Attack on Civil Rights

Haraway, D. (1991). A Cyborg Manifesto: Science, Technology, and Socialist-Feminism in the Late Twentieth Century.

O’Riordan, K. (2006). Gender, Technology, and Visual Cyberculture. Critical Cyberculture Studies

#csufwgst320baddies

[anguyen06]

Week 8: Blog Post #7 (due 10/14/21)

Should society be afraid  of the level that people are turning into “cyborgs”?

The way people are turning into “cyborgs”, the combination of animal and machine, is by attaching technology to themselves to make everyday tasks more convenient. For example, having portable smart phones on the wrists (that can make calls, pay for groceries, play music, etc.), playing video games through virtual reality headsets, and plugging in headphones to other technology (i.e. smartphones, computers, and consoles) are the ways technology has made humans into cyborg. From one perspective, yes, society should be concerned about the elevation of technology being one with humans only if it weakens human’s ability to be self-sufficient on their own. From another perspective, it is not a concern that society should be afraid of. One point that was made in the “Cyborg Manifesto” reading is that “we can be responsible for machines; they do not dominate or threaten us” (Haraway, 1991). Although the half of technology has slowly taken over the human, animalistic half, humans do not need to be afraid of technology dominating. It is important to remember that humans have the majority of the control in how much technology is integrated in their lives and what it assists them in doing.

What are the implications of portraying female characters and male characters in video games in a definitive way?

As the “Gender, Technology, and Visual Cyberculture” reading has pointed out, “sexy heroes” are sometimes conveyed through feminine bodies with a tiny waist and excessive breasts (Riordan, 2006). It is common in video games or online stories to portray genders in certain ways. For instance, women are often portrayed as sexy or cute, with the healing or assisting roles, while men are portrayed as more masculine, aggressive brute fighters that do more damage. It becomes a problem when these portals are reflected into reality. The implications that these roles and characteristics have is that it becomes expectations. Women are expected to dress or act “sexy” or “cute” because it has been unintentionally ingrained in society to associate women in this manner. When women dress more “masculine” or with baggy clothing, it is recognized as “abnormal” or “uncharacteristics”. Modern society has become more open to the variety of styles and roles women and men wear, but it could still use fixing.

Are there differences in when women and men participate in white supremacy online?

There are some differences in the content that women and men spread when participating in white supremacy. In the “Gender, White Supremacy, and the Internet” reading, more ladies speak out about women’s roles as wives and mothers, health, and beauty (Daniels, 2009). From experience, women are more likely to post their opinions on how women should act and look,  and input their opinions, even when not asked. Men are more likely to be assertive with their opinions, whether he/they display who he/they are inspired by in their screen name or by blunting stating how certain ideals should be. It is more often that men are more close-minded about how he/they address the situation.

How has the idea of (hetereonormative) masculinity and femininity changed throughout time?

Masculinity has been associated with males, and femininity with females. Whenever a male exerted, or were in touch with, femininity, he/they were referred to as “girly” or even “gay”. Females that showed masculinity were referred to as “tomboys”. These “abnormalities” were often belittled or criticized because it did not fit the societal standards of being a woman and man. Nowadays, more people are more open to the fact that men are able to be in touch with femininity and women showing off more masculine traits. It isn’t seen as a bad trait to have, but have been encouraged to embrace. For example, men are able to wear skirts, an item of clothing women wear more of than men, without being accused of being “gay” or criticized for being “girly”. Although hypermasculinity (toxic masculinity) and hyperfemininity (toxic femininity) still exist, the steps towards open-mindedness and breaking down those barriers that have prevented women and men from truly expressing themselves, whether it’s through clothing or personality, (due to fear of being outcasted or judged) are becoming more prevalent in society now. 

Daniels, J. (2009). Gender, White Supremacy, and the Internet. Cyber Racism: White Supremacy Online and the New Attack on Civil Rights. Rowman & Littlefield.

Haraway, D. (1991). A Cyborg Manifesto: Science, Technology, and Socialist-Feminism in the Late Twentieth Century.

O’Riordan, K. (2006). Gender, Technology, and Visual Cyberculture. Critical Cyberculture Studies. New York University Press.

[anguyen06]

What are the ways the current generation are able to change society for the better?

Week 7 Formations of Digital Race Continued 10/7

Have you ever thought about how dating sites match people?

Personally, I’ve never used a dating site or seen the questions they use to match or suggest people to one another. But I read an article about how dating sites use psychologists to write and review questions and answers for them. So, most people would think that race wouldn’t be an issue for people using dating sites, but unfortunately race, class, and gender issues are even included in dating sites. Like stated in the article (Hunsinger & Senft, 2015) Although OKCupid is designed to match people based on common interests and values, the site notes White men and women responded almost exclusively to messages from Whites. (p. 107)

What can be the consequences of White supremacy?

White supremacy and white privilege topics are issues that many people speak about, study, and address, but many don’t fully understand or comprehend the consequences of these topics, in my opinion. Like the article (Daniels, 2009) states White supremacy online sometimes leads to violence, harassment, intimidation, and racial terror, transcending the virtual world to damage real, live human beings. (p. 7)

Are social media platforms holding people accountable for their actions?

No, personally I believe that social media platforms owners have much more work to do the hold users accountable for their actions but not only the users but the owners/co-owners/workers. Like the article (Benjamin, 2020) states Twitter’s relatively hands-off approach when it comes to often violent and hate-filled content of White supremacists actually benefits the company’s bottom line. (p. 49)

Do you think that this current generations have the ability to change many aspects of society for the better?

Yes, definitely. I strongly believe in our current generations and our future ones that are going to do great things in our society. As stated in the article (Benjamin, 2020) Today, right now, you have more power at your fingertips than entire generations that came before you. Think about that. That’s what technology really is. It’s adaptability. It’s capability. (p. 56) Technology, when used to better a society it is great and it can be a very resourceful tool.

 References:

Benjamin, R. (2020). Race after technology abolitionist tools for the new Jim code. Polity.

Daniels, J. (2009). Cyber racism: White supremacy online and the new attack on Civil Rights. Rowman & Littlefield Publishers.

Hunsinger, J., & Senft, T. M. (2015). The Social Media Handbook. Routledge.

[anguyen06]

Do you believe that some careers have more white privilege than others?

Blog Post: Week 7 Due 10/07

Q1: Why do you think certain limitations that can be placed online wont affect racism that is going on online?

I feel like if there are limitations that are placed online racism will still continue to happen, perhaps not as much but it will still occur. I think it's because it's quite impossible to keep tabs on every single person that has access to media platforms and censor what is bad. As stated, "racism is part of life on the internet" which shows that it it something that will most likely continue to occur (Hunsinger 2015). When getting access to the internet, till this day, we are able to see the racism that is still occurring online.

Q2: In what ways do you think there is white privilege in specific careers?

I do believe that there can be some white privilege in specific workplaces such as a law enforcement career. I think that this is an ongoing situation and thats something that POC are aware of. Due to this there has been recent events that due to white privilege in the law enforcement that people began to speak up and lead to protesting and also some riots. As stated in the reading there has been another example of this and "the judge tossed out the case" when they tried to sue some officers (Benjamin 2020). I feel like there are majority caucasians in the law enforcement that lead to injustices towards communities of POC.

Q3: In what ways do you think accessing/participating in specific white supremacy groups have been easy in today's world?

I think with so many people having access to the internet and the media it is quite easy to get into communication with others. As mentioned, "supremacist discourse is certainly more accessible today" (Daniels 2009). This connection that can happen through the media can lead people to be a part of such groups and participate in specific activities. Due to the internet being very accessible now, it's impossible not having access to any sort of connections to these groups.

Q4: In what ways do you think events of white supremacy online affects certain populations in real life?

I think that this can affect people in real life due to white supremacy can occur to anyone at any time really. As stated, it affects real life because of the violent attacks that are made on specific populations that seem to be at risk (Daniels 2009). Online white supremacy can also have an affect on political games and can try to perhaps expand themselves. Along with political side points they can lead to protests/riots that are arranged online and take action in person.

Sources:

Daniels, J. (2009). Cyber racism: White supremacy online and the new attack on Civil Rights. Rowman & Littlefield Publishers.

Benjamin, R. (2020). Race after technology abolitionist tools for the new jim code. Polity.

Hunsinger, J., & Senft, T. M. (2015). The Social Media Handbook. Routledge.