Kirstene Marie L. Gaid

Digital Divide

Digital divide is a social inequality according to categories of persons in a population in their access to use of, knowledge of information and communication technologies. This happens because of the progress and upgrading of new technologies in different times. Because of poverty and the economic needs, these gives the people to prevent obtaining or using newer technologies but this is not an issue to deal with because we can still access on different media for a reliable information but information professionals wants to help bridge the gap by providing references and information services to help individual learn and utilize the technologies to which they can still access, regardless of their economic status.

Bullying

Bullying happens everywhere especially in schools where students usually interact with others. Bully means a blustering browbeating person; especially: one habitually cruel to others who are weaker (Merriam Webster). Bullying also can occur through social media called Cyberbullying. It is the electronic posting of mean – spirited messages about a person, relating to the use of computer networks or internet. Cyberbullying spread throughout the world and seems impossible to stop but with the help of others it could be stop but first, we have to discipline ourselves, be responsible enough for what we are going to do. Respecting the views of others also and understanding the situation. Remember the saying, “Don’t do unto others if you don’t want to do unto you”, it means that we have to be aware because in every action it might cause death to others.

Addiction

Many people turn to the internet in order to manage unpleasant feelings such as stress, loneliness, depression and anxiety. When you have a bad day and are looking for a way to escape your problems, the internet can be an easily accessible outlet but some people tends to do too much use of it. For many people, an important aspect of overcoming internet or computer addiction is to find alternate ways to handle these feelings, these may include exercising, meditating, practicing simple relaxation techniques and you may seek your attention to other things like physical activities. Also consider your health in doing the addiction activities because surely it can affect your health.

Promote ethical use of media and information

Media and information literacy is a tool that should be seen as an essential part of the individual, community, organizational, social and economic development process. A social media tool that is very public and so it is important that you consider how what you write and publish online because users have the power to use their rights of free expression but they have to be aware and mindful enough in doing so and be literate enough in using the different media and information for a developing and better society.

Opportunities and challenges of media and information

Fostering certain attitudes towards the media and other information sources involves both being critical of the possible negative effects of the media and a readiness to positively defend the media against possible sources of influence. The first aspect has played a major role in MIL concepts from the UK and the US. Len Masterman (2003) has argued the aim of MIL should be critical autonomy, enabling “students to stand on their own two critical feet.” It enables people to interpret and make informed judgments as users of information and media, as well as to become skillful creators and producers of information and media messages in their own right. The MIL learning capacities prepare students to be 21st Century literate. In general, many students are better networked through the use of technology than most teachers and parents. Teachers and parents may not understand the abilities of technology