Do you know that most of your choices, preferences and interactions are being tracked, observed, tapped, surveyed and/or used by marketing companies? Kligiene (2012, p.71) explains that "personal data are the new fuel for the internet and the true currency of [the] digital world". He goes on to confirm that the majority of most internet users would not give permission to online companies to use "behavioural advertising", and though efforts have been made by public policy-makers to protect the privacy of digital citizens, these protection rights are insufficient.
Do you think it is important for e-society to be well informed of these issues? Do you believe digital citizens have a right to privacy, and a right to say whether they consent to the public use of their digital footprints or not? Technology, if used in an ethical context can provide the e-world with extraordinary benefits however, there is ample room for data-errors which can later be used against an individual and in the digital context Weaver and Gahegan (2007, p. 345) agree, "guilt by association in these spaces becomes more prevalent and the number of coincidences necessary to significantly"colour" one's digital persona decreases...the ability to manipulate digital personae or to misinterpret them increases."
With your privacy and safety concerns in check, you can take this knowledge and put it to use by creating a digital footprint that benefits e-society (Richardson, W. 2008, p.18). Manoeuvring through your digital existence with integrity, strength of good character, high moral standards, and a code of ethics will contribute to your online communities in a positive, educational way. We need to be aware of our rights and privacy in order to set a good example for children who look to adults and educators to set the example for safe, respectful, and open methods of communication (Cassidy, W. Brown, K. & Jackson, M., 2012, p. 529) because we never know who or how others may be observing our digital footprints. How does this influence your future online choices?
References:
Cassidy, W., Brown, K. N., & Jackson, M. (2012). ‘Under the radar’: Educators and cyberbullying in schools. School Psychology International, 33(5), 520–532. Retrieved from:
Kligienė, S. (2012). Digital footprints in the context of professional ethics. Informatics In Education, 11(1), 65-79. Retrieved from:
Richardson, W. (2008). Footprints in the digital age. Educational Leadership, 66(3), 16-19. Retrieved from: http://ezproxy.lib.ucalgary.ca:2048/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=eric&AN=EJ817754&site=ehost-live
Weaver, S. D., & Gahegan, M. (2007). Constructing, visualizing and analyzing a digital footprint. Geographical Review, 97(3), 324-350. Retrieved from:
Hello Skye,
ReplyDeleteThere is indeed a great deal to consider with regards to the information we leave behind as we search, click and navigate in the digital world. It is quite important for us to be aware of our actions and take steps to manage our privacy and safety with respect to the information that goes into our digital footprints.
As I read your post, I began to ponder the risk of being too cautious or worried over the information that is finding its way into our digital identity. Words like ‘tracking’, ‘surveillance’, and ‘permanent’ have the potential to drum up significant fear and anxiety about using the internet or making purchases with a debit/credit card. I recalled an excerpt from Public Parts, a book by Jeff Jarvis. In the introduction, Jarvis notes that it is important for us to not become too obsessed with privacy or we may lose out on opportunities afforded to us by making connections the ‘age of links’. An advocate for ‘publicness’, Jarvis has also raised concerns with the moral panic that ensued over privacy in Facebook. He worries that “..fear-mongering will lead to more regulation and a less open and free internet.” (Jarvis, May 3, 2012). Do you think his concerns are valid? While I have not read Jarvis’ book, I am curious to learn more about his views on the creation of a digital footprint.
I agree wholeheartedly that we need to ensure students are aware of the risks and take appropriate steps to manage their digital footprints in a safe and responsible way. I think it is also important to do so in a manner that does not create anxiety or fear that may impede the benefits of sharing and connecting with others.
References:
Jarvis, J. (2011). Public parts: how sharing in the digital age improves the way we work and live. New York, NY: Simon & Schuster.
Jarvis, J. (2012, May 3). Consumer reports’ moral panic. [Web Log post]. Retrieved from http://buzzmachine.com/2012/05/03/consumer-reports-moral-panic/
Kim, I'm so glad you're asking me to reflect on this! I think there is validity of fear creating overly private and regulated internet use. It will impact the freedom and liberty of online interaction. Fear causes defensiveness and we respond by protecting ourselves. In relation to Facebook, I've learned that regardless of my privacy settings, as exemplified by Ashley Payne's experience (CBS News, 2011) anyone can access my profile and use the content as they wish.
DeleteI created a Facebook profile in 2007, without the concept of digital citizenry. I didn't know my online rights nor did I understand online laws. I blindly trusted that my privacy rights were the same online as they were offline but as I have come to learn over the course of 6 weeks, e-commerce has very effectively shifted what I once understood as the privacy of my online lifestyle.
I am still a student with regards to digital citizenry, my knowledge of online rights and laws are in their infancy. As I continue to learn, explore, discover, and navigate through this online world I feel I need to be cautious, just as we need to teach children/youths to be cautious. As Richardson (2008) discusses, "teachers have to be co-learners in this process, modeling their own use of connections and networks and understanding the practical pedagogical implications of these technologies and online social learning spaces" (p.18). Scaffolding the learning process of internet citizenship was not a privilege I had been given until enrolling in university. Learning about digital citizenry after years of online living is comparable to expecting an adult who knows how to swim to know how to surf. I see the waves, I have a board but there are rules (if someone catches the wave before you, they have the right of way) and goals (achieving a difficult trick) of surfing that one needs to be taught in order to be able to responsibly, safely and successfully surf. It is important for surfers to know the dangers of the ocean so that they can protect themselves from drowning or injury. Digital footprints are the visible e-processes of learning how to exist on the internet and since it is being visibly and publicly "recorded" it is more dangerous than I had realized.
I feel we are privileged to be empowered with this knowledge but there are millions of others who haven't learned or don't understand these concepts, and they in turn are failing to teach their children.
I agree that we do lose out and it's unfortunate not to have well-established online laws that protect our e-privacy but they don't exist yet, and as I've discovered on wikipedia (2013) Facebook is no exception, "For users that have not opted out, Instant Personalization is instant data leakage. As soon as you visit the sites in the pilot program the sites can access your name, your picture, your gender, your current location, your list of friends, all the Pages you have Liked...still data leakage if your friends use Instant Personalization websites — their activities can give away information about you, unless you block those applications individually." I wish this information was less anxiety provoking for me than it is but working in a profession where my personal opinions, ideologies, actions and behaviours are scrutinized by a diverse public opinion has alerted a high level of hesitancy and skepticism on how open and free I feel sharing my digital footprint with e-society. This is not to say I won't eventually find a happy medium somewhere but as I learn the rules and laws of digital citizenship I want to make sure I'm being scrupulously cautious about how much information I'm putting out there. At least until I can be certain of my digital rights.
Referenes:
Richardson, W. (2008). Footprints in the digital age. Educational Leadership, 66(3), 16-19.
Wikipedia Facebook. (n.d.). Retrived February 17, 2013 from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Criticism_of_Facebook#Privacy_concerns