Assignment 8 - Extra Credit

THE GOOD
http://www.boston.com/yourtown/news/norwell/2012/11/story_of_sick_norwell_girl_goe.html

This is the story of a girl that lives in my town and was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor earlier this year.  The parents didn't know what to do so they contacted some people from my old highschool through facebook and told them their story.  Now, Calle has an amazing support system all through social networking.  This article is a from a couple of months ago but I chose this because it is still a very important example of why the Internet is good.  On Facebook their is a group that was started by the highschoolers in my town and is not only sending positive messages and inspiration about Calle and the fight against cancer, but also is always being updated with plans to hold fundraisors, send money to Calle's family and other families with children who have cancer, and spread awareness as to how serious this situation is.  Without this I do not believe that Calle's family would have half the amount of support that she does now, with the help of the Intenet.


THE BAD
http://www.mercurynews.com/breaking-news/ci_23159943/san-jose-woman-who-attempted-suicide-after-cyber

This article is short, however, it gets a very important message across.  Amanda Brownell attempted suicide after allegedly being bullied by texting classmates, has now died at the age of 20.  About four years ago, Brownell hanged herself in a girl's restroom at Del Mar High School in San Jose. Luckily, Amanda was discovered and was able to recover.  Cyber bullying is often not taken very seriously, but this case shows otherwise.  It can very easily take over an innocent persons life and cause serious damage to them physically and mentally.  People are now believing themselves to be invincible because thye can hide behind a screen and say or do whatever they please without reprecussion when that simply is not the case anymore.  

THE UGLY
http://deadspin.com/how-an-alleged-rape-involving-ohio-high-school-football-5969103

With this article it discusses how teenage football players raped a drunk, unresponsive, 16 year old girl and, not only video-taped it, but tweeted and instagrammed evidence of their crime.  With social media being so new and prominent in our lives people often forget how easy it is to get into trouble over stupid mistakes because they are easily swept up into believing they are untouchable.  What these boys did was disgusting and the media's response to it was horrible.  One sports network has been quoted saying how sorry this entire situation was because it ruined those boys lives.  What about the young girls life?  Doesn't she desearve any pity or is that not alright anymore because we live in a society where people are made famous through social media online and without that popularity they do not desearve the respect they would have otherwise.  This article is outdated but the trial just took place and there is continuous news coverage on it.

Some legitimate uses for prepaid cell phones is that not only can you use them if you cannot afford a cell phone but also can be used when traveling.  Prepaid cell phones are often used for children that are not old enough to have a real cell phone.  They are used as more of a learning tool for a real phone and also provide restrictions on how much one can text or call their friends so it teaches them responsibility.  When traveling, especially into another country, prepaid cell phones can be extremely helpful when in need of communication.  They don't cost as much nor do they carry restrictions on them like normal cell phones do when used in other countries. I believe that prepaid phones are fine how they are and don't need to be controlled by the law. 

On a personal note, growing up was very difficult with my parents.  They are classic cases of the over protective, helicopter parents.  Many people hear that and shake their heads saying that I exaggerate.  To put it into perspective I have always had honor roll grades, played varsity sports, and managed a job 6 nights of the week for the entire duration of my high school career.  I was never the one to rebel and go out and party and be a crazy teenager.  I just didn’t have the time!  However, my parents still didn’t support my freedom.  To this day, an independent 18-year-old college student, still has a strict 10:00 curfew at home and my parents have made several surprise visits to UNH to check on me.  To be clear, I love my parents and I am far from the weird girl that didn’t have any friends.  I’ve had boyfriends, won superlatives, and got invited to all the best places with multiple friend groups.  I also took that saying “it’s better to beg for forgiveness, then ask permission” very to heart and grew up into my own person.  

I was about a sophomore in high school when my parents began tracking my phone and reading my text messages behind my back.  Just last month they begged me to sign a contract that would give the phone companies permission to shut my phone off at certain speeds, like if I was in a car, and be able to go onto the internet to see all the apps, pictures, emails, and text messages that I was accessing on my phone at any given time.  These are extreme examples but I feel that they show just to what extent some people are willing to go to track people and be in their lives.  No matter where I was, at work or at a movie, I was always looking behind my shoulder for my parents and it held me back from many experiences I wish I had had.  If I did anything on my own without telling them I was a case of nerves that found it incapable to truly enjoy life like everyone else. 

If congress were to pass a bill that required ID chips in children under the age of 5 I would not support it.  I recognize the benefits and peace of mind that come with knowing where your child is at all times but I will fight that as hard as I can.  Horrible things can happen but that does not give any one the right to track everywhere you go and everything you do no matter what the circumstances.  It handicaps the individual in multiple ways and puts them at risk not only mentally, but physically if that technology was to fall in the wrong hands.   Having tracking devices in shoes is one thing because the person wearing them can take them off at their own free will.  If a tracking device were to be inserted into somebodies body they are stripped of true independence and goes against their constitutional rights.  I find it morally wrong, at the very least, and will stand by my position on the subject no matter the situation.

Hi! Soo this is my first post ever.  The blog I made for one of my classes and I'm really looking forward to continuing this!