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].
Great post Sheridan, I am particularly interested in mobile etiquette but I don't think there is one set of rules at the moment. I have touched on it in my post aswell http://bit.ly/1ceie7c
ReplyDeleteI think with the new heavy penalties that have just been enforced in Victoria about using mobile phones whilst driving is one step in the right direction - on the roads anyway.
Sheridan, I found this blog to be set out in a very clear and easy to read layout and I think it was helpful how you have separated your topics.
ReplyDeleteThrough my research and with discovering others, it does seem to be a common theme with mobile devices and the stage we are at with technology advances that individuals are losing the experiences of the 'real world'. Whether these be missing out on face-to-face interaction and 'real' conversations, or maybe kids missing out on serious fun playing in cubbie houses and climbing trees, or simply some 'solitude' time with yourself, which Sherry Turkle (2012) discusses to be an integral part of keeping a sense of reality and a chance to self-reflect.
The study that you have looked at interestingly confirms that these are creating a divide between humans and social activity; time, etiquette, feelings and emotions. Do you agree with that we are turning away from the physical world and turning to some kind of screen instead?
I think you make a good point that with anonymity, individuals can feel more confident to express themselves but also, they can be incorrectly perceived and messages can be more easily misinterpreted. I was a little suprised at the results indicating that cyber-bullies are more likely to be girls - I'm thinking from this they would be fairly young and naïve; not realising the damage they can cause to others. I think this proves that we need to educate our kids far better on how to act online, as well as the consequences that online connectivity can have.
Hi Nicole
ReplyDeleteThank you for your comments.
Etiquette is a touchy subject. Queensland police also have tough laws on mobile phone use while driving. The police came and spoke at the school and the reason for the tough penalties is at a lot of fatalities there is a mobile phone in the drivers hand or near the body. I think that some people are addicted to their phones and social media it allows them to access.
Hi Jenni
ReplyDeleteThank you for your comments.
I do think some people are definitely tuning out of reality through mobile devices. I too was surprised at the fact girls were the main cyber-bullies, the study was done with young people, so perhaps lack of maturity and understanding has something to do with the findings.