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.