I wasn't sure what to write about this week, but from reading everyone else's, it just seems like everyone is writing about what they hate about the internet. I'm not sure why the internet inspires such polarized reactions from people, unlike other mediums of creative expression. Yes, there are people who use the internet for less than noble causes. However, there are many books written by authors whose opinions I do not agree with, yet I do not dismiss literature as dangerous, hurtful, sexist, racist etc. I think what people are missing is that people who create online material, just the same as people who create published writing or art, have opinions that you may not respect or agree with. The internet as a medium is not to blame.
I also think there is some sort of mass hysteria going on about privacy on the internet. Like if you have a Facebook page or a blog you are inviting sexual predators into your life. I definitely do not mean that there is no possibility of a person with bad intentions finding you online and causing you harm, but there is so so much you can do to prevent that. You can make yourself unsearchable of Facebook, so no one you aren't friends with even knows you exist or have a page. You can have an anonymous blog, and be careful not to include details that would give away what you might feel would be too much information. In fact, if you are so concerned about it, throw away your router and don't use the internet. Or just use it for research, never publish anything. You can even encrypt your IP address. There are an infinite number of ways you can protect yourself online.
It seems like people are extremely afraid of what is going on behind the computer screen, since they cannot see the millions of other users sitting behind their own computers. However, if you want to be a part of this technological world, where your livelihood may revolve around the internet, you are able to take responsibility for your own safety online.
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