Devices....
The vast majority of people in the
western world carry at least one mobile devise, be it a mobile phone, laptop,
Ipad or tablet, some people have more than one device with them at all times.
Sure these devices give us opportunity
to be connected at all times with a wide and diverse range of people from around
the globe, but is it inhibiting our enjoyment of ‘real’ experiences? The study conducted by Przybylski & Weinstein indicates that the presence
of a mobile phone reduced empathy, closeness, trust and understanding. The
debriefing of the participants revealed that they were unaware that these
effects were occuring (Przybylski & Weinstein, 2013).
Cyborgs....
It could be argued that we are becoming Cyborgs as suggested by Donna Haraway’s
theory, not in the literal sense, but mobile devices are becoming part of who
we are. Amber Case in her studies on Cyborg Anthropothogy indicates that the
internet can be viewed as an organic structure and that it compliments us as
human beings, therefore we are connected to the technology. The concern is that
as everything is instantaneous people will be busy dealing with all the messages
and media received on the devices that they will fail to reflect on who they
actually are both in the ‘real world’ and in ‘cyber space’ (Case, 2010).
Anonymous....
Mobile devices allow certain anonymity, so people tend to
‘post’ or ‘text’ words and images they would not usually say to a person’s face
or display publicly in their home. Social media makes these instant and
non-retractable and allows many people to view the messages, not just the
intended recipient. People can
unintentionally become a ‘Cyber-bully’ by not considering the information they
post. According to world-wide research cyber-bullies are more likely to be
girls who found it easier to be themselves online, they also engage in risky
online actions and spent more time online (Gorzig & Olafsson, 2013).
Future....
Chris Wild predicts the future of mobile device will possible
evolve into a model similar to HAL in 2001 a film by Kubrick. This device interacted naturally with humans, understood language and could devise the best
way to communicate information to people (Close-Up Media Inc, 2012).
Reflection....
Personally I carry a mobile phone with me all the time, but
I am not a constant user and I adhere to mobile etiquette.
What kind of social media user are you? Do you use mobile etiquette?
Do you think mobile device etiquette should be taught in school, especially if
we are theoretically heading down the ‘Cyborg’ road? Are you a different person
in the world of cyber space?
Reference List
Case, A., 2010. Amber Case: We are all Cyborgs now.
[Online]
Available at: http://www.ted.com/talks/amber_case_we_are_all_cyborgs_now.html
[Accessed 24 November 2013].
Available at: http://www.ted.com/talks/amber_case_we_are_all_cyborgs_now.html
[Accessed 24 November 2013].
Close-Up Media
Inc, 2012. World Symposium 2012 to Take a Look at the Future of Mobile Devices.
Entertainment Close-Up, 9 April.
Gorzig, A.
& Olafsson, K., 2013. What Makes a Bully a Cyberbully? Unravelling the
Characteristics of Cyberbullies across Twenty-Five European Countries. Journal
of Children and Media, 7(1), pp. Special Issue: Children, Internet and Risk
Comparative Perspective.
Przybylski, A.
K. & Weinstein, N., 2013. Can you connect with me now? How the presence of
mobile communication technology influences face-to-face conversation quality. Journal
of Social Relationships, 30(3), pp. 237-246.
Purevpn, n.d. Purevpn.com.
[Online]
Available at: http://www.purevpn.com/blog/vpn-anonymous/
[Accessed 30 November 2013].
Available at: http://www.purevpn.com/blog/vpn-anonymous/
[Accessed 30 November 2013].
Read, J.,
2008. [Online]
Available at: http://www.unwir3d.com/88785/become-cyborg-step-1-digital-tattoo-interface
[Accessed 30 November 2013].
Available at: http://www.unwir3d.com/88785/become-cyborg-step-1-digital-tattoo-interface
[Accessed 30 November 2013].
