Fear
[SUMMARY—The growing trend of MediaSnackers digital/media fluency which provokes fear.]
(WORLD) As traditional media increasingly becomes blurred with its cross-over into new mediums (or vice versa) each new development (which is not generational, more monthly in terms of time development) more fears are raised about its impact on those who consume or operate within its context.
Is the fear a legitimate response or an evolutionary fight or flight response to something people don't understand? If it is grounded, do the MediaSnackers understand the dangers involved? What are the risks, the potential issues or knock-on effects as they move from the TV to the PC?
MediaSnackers crave and embrace digital/media fluency, technology ownership simply enables fulfillment of this need. Sure, questions need to be asked. Issues need to be explored. Factors have to be considered. But in context to understanding this is a different world and a much more tech-savvy generation.
A new study of MySpace states 90% of its teen users do not post personal details on their profile. 40% do not even make them available for public view.
The same study shows 5% do post pictures of themselves in bathing suits or underwear but this small proportion are the held up increasingly by mainstream media as a metonym.
Should we fear or explore with curiosity (which is default for MediaSnackers)? Should we be enabling good practice through digital literacy education or just closing down access to the avenues available? Should we just 'feel the fear and do it anyway'?
Editorial note: In the UK, I'm currently trying to find out where diigital literacy is within the current educational curriculum—can anyone help? Contact me here.
Filed by DK on January 6 2007
Viewing 'Fear', you may also explore current and other entries, search or get our newsreader feed.
