Dear Internet, where do we go from here?
Lessons or learning(s) I wish we all kept in mind and practiced living and working in this digitally connected world, not just when data breaches happen or when Facebook happens.
We are all the most wanted currency on the internet — DATA
I’m a workshops facilitator and lecturer with Safe.si — Awareness Centre that focuses, teaches and empowers safe and responsible use of internet and new technologies with different age groups. The project’s aim is to provide children, teenagers, parents, teachers and social workers with knowledge and tools for guiding, empowering and helping children and teenagers in the digital world. My biggest gratitude with this project lies in the fact that children and adults feel comfortable discussing internet and their experiences in safe and controlled environment and they feel OK asking questions and sometimes even arguing fiercely about certain topics they’re passionate about or what affects them daily.
So, no, this is not a piece about Facebook, the Apocalypse, Cambridge Analytica or whatever the current events will lead to. It’s about some general (mis)conceptions related to the Internet and facts that we all — as digital users living in a connected world — should be aware of and keep in mind, always. Every time we use the Internet, Social Media, an application, a program or simply a funny game to play on our mobile phone.
How Does YOUR Digital Map Look Like?
When I discuss Internet, I try to empower students to imagine we all have a Digital Map we are creating since we started using the Internet. It relates to what we do, search for, post, like, comment, share or exchange on/over the Internet. We’re all walking, talking source of DATA that (if and when the dots are connected) can tell a very detailed picture or story of our life, work, behaviour, values,….need I say more? We are not talking only about Facebook here. The model of majority of platforms that are “free to use” rely on the data gathered, segmented and used to create let’s say a more “tailored, personalized User Experience” — those same platforms also rely on the fact that most of the time (if we are not super careful about our privacy and safety of our data) we think more about the ease of use, connectivity and the “fun” side of Internet that helps us connect with others, rather than focusing on questions like:
“How does this affect my privacy?”,
“How is this app or company collecting my data?”,
“How secure is my data?”,
“Who actually has access to my data on platform xyz?,
“How am I making sure my account, data or content is secure(d) wherever it is placed, posted, shared?”
….. And the list could go on.
The real truth and painful fact is that we, most of the time, with the overload of content and information, lack of time, short attention span and also not knowing, not having the skills and knowledge, are forgetting to track and protect how, when and why our data is being collected, used or mis-used. By no means does this justify anyone to mislead and manipulate with users’ permissions and doing what is plain and simple unacceptable, yet, let me ask you these questions:
When was the last time you opened any of your accounts on Social Media, your electronic e-mail or app and looked at your settings — section Privacy and Security?
When was the last time you #SpringCleaned your mobile phone and uninstalled the apps you’re not using or revoked access to some?
When was the last time you changed your password — or perhaps better — how often do you change your passwords?
And how often did you think, before or after downloading the next great app to try out, that all the access they require doesn’t justify allowing them access to your privacy and data?
I can tell you that when I ask this in class (and I stand in class daily )— there are still hands that go up in the air — children, students, teachers, parents that admit not changing the passwords since they began using e-mail or any account whatsoever, having the same passwords across multiple Social Media platforms and protecting their privacy by creating two different profiles — first profile Open — Public, where they are not so careful about who connects with them or follows them and they post “general stuff = translated = stuff that parents and teachers would approve” and the second profile Private — Closed where they do, publish, share “the real stuff = translated = what I wouldn’t want my parents, teachers or grown-ups to see”. And still the perception that Private, Hidden, Secret translates to “Secure” is present. Very present.
It’s far from “What you publish online, stays online forever” — children have been trained diligently to start understanding that when they grow up their future employers will “google” them and based on what they find, they’ll either get a job or be rejected. I’d like to change their perception — we live in the world where we ALL “google” EVERYONE and EVERYTHING. So, empowering everyone (at any age) and instilling into our thoughts that EVERYTHING we do on the Internet is part of our Digital Map(s) that can always be googled, seen, interpreted in gazillion ways. It is our responsibility — that reaches beyond just protecting the data about us — to protect our Digital Maps and create a digital footprint that won’t someday come back to haunt us or harm us. One side of protecting our online presence (not only in the sense of protecting data) is to be constantly aware that ANYBODY might be able to see, read, copy, share and download something that I originally posted or created and shared online, but can nowadays easily be spread across the Internet, before I even think about it. The “normality” that screenshots and screening content from others that we see online for good or bad purposes has become widespread and there are ways of harassing and manipulating with others — well, this is another discussion in itself.
I Fully Trust My Best Friend Not To….. Until Something Happens, Right?
Our privacy and security, therefore data is often at stake because of generalized beliefs that my best friends, my BFFs or people I know in real-life will not do something to harm me — translated with the words of my students “hack my accounts, post something in my name or create a fake account for me, out of boredom, spite, meanness or just fun”. The perception of “threats” still resides in the stories of somebody on the other side of the world, dark places, criminal intent, not people I know or,….myself not being careful enough or knowing how to protect my data, content or my Digital Map or,…..learning ways to protect myself, my data and my accounts by what every platform offers — block, report, etc.
Many times we disclose a lot of information ourselves or through other people and their content without thinking or anticipating it. We often allow people, companies or providers access to our data by simply clicking on a game, a link or downloading an app not expecting any harmful consequences or activities from third-party agencies, providers. We’ve become one-click users, that are used to learning the ropes fast, less prepared to read and understand the implications behind my clicks and “I agree to the terms”. Personally, in discussions about the Internet and Social Media I try to empower users to walk the talk of responsible use of Internet not by staying away from it, but to learn now to protect themselves and others and take the meaning of online etiquette or #netiquette wholeheartedly.
Online Safety and Responsible Use of Internet, Social Media and mobile technology stretches beyond just learning how to use online spaces safely.
It boils down to knowing the same rules about right VS wrong, acceptable VS unacceptable and beneficial VS harmful that apply in the real world, apply even more in the digital space(s).
Doing the right thing when nobody is watching should be our motto — meaning my online persona aligning with who I am, what I believe in and what values drive my actions are and should be identical online and offline.
Of course it depends on age, experience, level of skills and knowledge we have with using online spaces, yet our Digital Map stores everything. In this sense, refraining from harmful actions and equally not allowing them as well, is one of the main priorities of Safe and Responsible use of the Internet.
What still boggles my mind often are some experiences or stories that stay with me and are painful truths why many times we, users, don’t react, don’t take care forourselves and others. Especially with blocking or reporting either users or content, there’s still a huge gap between knowing and ACTING upon it. I can’t tell you how often users, young or old(er) don’t know how to block or report users and content. Also why often these actions are necessary to protect our Digital Maps and our data as well for that matter. Sadly, many users still say that reporting a person or content is useless because the reaction times of platforms are super slow, it takes ages before content is taken down or users are not reprimanded for executing harmful actions or even the “evergreen thinking” — “It’s not SO bad, have you seen all the harmful, disgusting, crazy content there is on the Internet? So, now, teacher, you are saying one video, comment, etc. will make a huge difference?”…..
Internet Should Be A Place Of Learning, #Amiright?
When I stand in the classroom the most funny thing is when I tell students, no matter the age, that I come from times before the Internet. Intro: THE LOOK. The pure notion of me, growing up in the era before Google, before mobile phones accessible to anyone and also before Facebook, Snapchat and YouTube is almost hard to imagine for them. It amuses me beyond words, when they start calculating and figure out — she’s SO old. But in reality, they do have a point, I am like a dinosaur for them — in the sense that there was much less content, technology, information and ALL there is on the Internet in my days than what they’re faced with, every single day. I grew up playing Tetris or few other games on the first computer I got and mostly I started using the Internet in college, when we needed it for our studies. The first chat platform I knew was ICQ (years later I realized it meant I seek you, shortened) and IRC — that was a Slovene one we used. Remember the times of dial-up and ISDN?
Still, my point is this — I first learnt about Internet as a place of learning, information and connecting to other people, finding topics and content that interested me or were connected to my studies or later, to work I was doing.
The logic behind the use, or getting to know the Internet is totally opposite today.
First time users of Internet, Social Media enter the arena very young — I find some students that already have online profiles at the age of 8, 9, 10, which is before the official legal age — 13 — when you’re “old enough” to understand how to use it and what consequences come with it and are officially able to create online profiles. Quite honestly — most of the users don’t think of Internet as a learning space, but as a space to have fun, connect and also be able to easily access THAT content = translation: improper content, content inappropriate for their age or simply too violent, harmful, disturbing. Don’t get me wrong — there’s nothing wrong with using Internet for fun, but it needs to be simultaneously related to being coached, taught and empowered to learn how to use the Internet, Social Media, collaborative tools for learning purposes, for growth, for expanding your knowledge and skills beyond just using Wikipedia, YouTube or Reddit.
Well….here’s where we’ve got a slight problem. Learning — the intrinsic passion for learning to grow, develop and acquire new skills — with the use of technology and new ways of learning has become a powerful tool. A tool, when used correctly, can literally open doors to possibilities — good or bad — it all depends on the values we’re taught or we see other people developing. Seeing the traditional educational system struggle between pursuing a specific curriculum and on the other side allowing students to innovate, develop different learning models and also preparing them for real-life situations, I see another challenge too.
Education and educators are being disrupted by technology and new ways of learning and, despite the trend of digitalization and promotion of digital competencies, not all are very keen on Internet, Social Media or technology. There are bright examples of educators proudly and fiercely introducing AND embracing Internet and Social Media as a part of new channels, platforms and means of learning. Quite honestly, in reality, I hear the following variations of beliefs:
“Internet ruined our children”
“Young people don’t know how to communicate anymore, they’re glued to their mobile phones”
“If only there were no mobile phones and children were able to talk to each other”
“Our children are digital natives, they know more than we do, it’s really difficult to control them or stop them from doing xyz….”
“I can’t compete with the Internet or Social Media — that’s fun stuff, unlike my subject that bores them”
“How were we all able to grow up without stupid things like Facebook, Instagram and mobile phones? We survived, didn’t we?!”
And the list goes on.
I hear you. I can understand. We are all human. We all feel discouraged when we hit a wall or when we realize that the world around us changes, when we can’t keep up with the technology or development.
Still, I don’t think we need to.
We need to be okay with not being the sole point of knowledge or learning authority.
We need to be prepared to learn through collaboration, being open to say to our children, teens, students, to each other: “I don’t know, can you show me, teach me, let’s find the answer together?”
We need to grow and facilitate the need for curiosity. For ourselves and our students. We need to be okay saying: “Man, I have no clue what Snapchat is, but I want to learn about it”.
We need to be lifelong learners, especially when it comes to the Internet, Social Media and technology. There us a difference between using an app or a program and then using it as a pedagogical tool in a specific way.
Even if you think Facebook or Snapchat are the most stupid things on the face of this planet and you as educator see no add value why somebody would spend their time on such platforms — the mentality of being open to learning and understanding new things and ways goes A LONG WAY. Much longer than anything. When we take examples from THEIR lives and what matters to them and try to understand them from their point of view and why they like it, spend so much time there and how a specific channel, platform defines their lives and then guiding them to see other interpretations and learning(s) too — that’s what I call a winning combo. That’s where learning starts in my opinion. It’s also a great opportunity to show our students how Internet , Social Media and technology can be(come) a learning environment.
“Don’t hate what you don’t know” quote by Brian Fanzo — I’ll never forget this phrase from one of my favorite Social Media Influencers.
Rather use this “negative emotions and feelings” to fuel the learning. Start small, baby steps. Ask your students what they use, what they like and set up a profile and just try it out, learn the ropes. You don’t have to become a super users, spread across the entire web. Being informed, being prepared when students turn to you (instead of the Internet first) for guidance, questions, support or help gives you an advantage that is priceless. When you embrace what you don’t know and feel comfortable to say, “let me figure this out”, that’s when you’ve opened yourself to new experiences and new opportunities. When I learn how to use something new, it’s easier to think of creative and innovative ways of incorporating this into my every day life or teaching for that matter.
Let’s Walk The Talk, Shall We?
Safe and Responsible Use of Internet starts with each individual. It starts with being prepared to learn, to be informed and to know when to pull the plug. I know that this might sound funny, but some younger users of the Internet still think that when something happens — you just pull the plug and all is fine. Sometimes, I really do wish it were so.
Safe and Responsible use of Internet, Social Media and technology is not something we just pick up along the way. Especially with first time users, we need continuous teaching and setting boundaries. Yes — when parents ask me how they can keep children away from their devices, I ask them what rules have they set for them — and the response is still too often — none, or — we can’t do that. If we need to learn how to use and understand the rules that apply all other things in life, like driving cars for example, then we need to have the same rules and understanding for Internet, Social Media and mobile phones too.
We often assume our children, students understand when we tell them once or twice. Well, I’ve learnt the hard way that they don’t. They forget, they don’t understand, they think they remembered, but it takes daily repetition to really learn and store that learning. And it takes positive reinforcement and examples they can follow. Daily. Reinforcing Safe and Responsible Internet Use by every single user.
I can’t tell you how often I walk into a school library and see the WiFi password written in CAPS where it’s visible to everyone and only until an incident happens — then we start thinking about Security.
I can’t tell you how often I still find students that don’t lock their phones or screens. Because they don’t want to hassle with unlocking every single second or they are simply convinced that there is no relevant data on their phone somebody would need, be interested in or steal. Until something happens, they don’t see their smartphones as a powerful collection of data of themselves and others in their lives.
I can’t tell you how often I still find users that have 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 profiles on a single platform or between the age of 12–15 have 1000/2000+ followers and friends on different platforms.
I can’t tell you how many students know, have received or know somebody who’s received improper content via an app or selected platform. And I can tell you how many hands I see up when I ask: “How many of you have reported this content of this user? (What do you think, can I count them on 5 fingers or 10 fingers or more? Tweet me your answer, will you?)
I can’t tell you how often I still find school or classroom computers unlocked or when opening Social Platforms on screen, signed in profile of teachers or others users appear.
I can’t tell you that now more often I find that students have become super creative when it comes to accessing the internet. If somebody is not allowed to use a certain app or device, they form a group profile with their best friends and then 5 or more students publish from that account, know the password and share it with others willingly, not completely understanding why such data is or should be personal & available only for the owner / user of this account.
You Used To Call Me On Your Cell Phone?
It was interesting to read the discussion last week during #MobileChat with my dear friends Angelica Mata and Anh Nguyen that host the chat on Twitter weekly — Tuesdays, 3pm ET, 8pm UK, 9pm CET.
Check out what the members of the community had to say about what’s the appropriate age for children to own a mobile phone.
I know that we as parents, educators, teachers and users of technology and mobile phones enable the children with much earlier access to it, than what used to be “the norm”. It’s difficult to isolate them from it, but we need to set some ground rules and agreement for use.
A pediatrician in one of the towns in Slovenia commented that in the reception area the crayons and paper set out for children — patients are still sitting there intact, almost untouched, unused. Children that come in, already have their smartphones or parents set a game for them on their own mobile phone. That might come as a solution sometimes, but children are like sponges — not only are they able to soak in immense amounts of information by just screening and mimicking our behaviour, more than that, they’re not afraid of clicking the wrong button, so by trying out, they learn the use with speed lightning. Yet, they don’t learn the “correct=safe” use with same warp speed, unfortunately. That’s why it’s very important to start early, explaining and talking about what it means to use technology and how it affects me, others, my network, my Digital Map.
Quo Vadis, Internet User?
I can tell you that since I started facilitating the workshops, the experiences and knowledge of my students has grown enormously.
If just three years ago we talked about passwords, signing in and out of a sessions on a desktop and frauds like spam, chain letters or simple hacks that could affect your computer, phone or being careful not to post online when you go on holiday, today we discuss much more advanced topics, that vary from mobile two-factor authentication, ethical hacking, hacking, security breaches, data storage, deep web, advertising, ad blockers, fake news, hoaxes, programming, web development, applications, net neutrality,…and so much more.
We also discuss how more accessible (in the sense of technology and content availability) Internet is and what implications it brings for you, me, every user of Internet. Also, how less careful, reckless or plain simple unaware we can all be when the timing, situation and our lack of focus come together. It transcends more than just single platforms, Social Media channels or latest trends.
The path I’d like to take is taking our power back. In the words of Brian Solis during his keynote at #SMMW18 this especially stands out:
“Seek The Truth,
Speak The Truth
Even If Your Voice Shakes
Even If You Feel Alone
It Inspires To Rise
That’s Real Influence”.
Thank you for taking the time to read this. If you liked this piece, feel free to share, comment or add your thoughts below or across Social Media channels. If you enjoy discussing Learning, Technology and Internet — you’ll find me in the Twitterverse. Feel free to tweet me your thoughts.
Zala Bricelj is a digital strategist, storyteller and content creator. She supports, empowers and helps individuals, companies and teams to successfully position themselves online, on Social Media and on the overall Digital Map. As a part of Safe.si team she teaches and demonstrates Safer Internet Usage, with focus on Internet Security & Privacy Activities & (Prevention of) Cyberbullying and Online Harassment when using internet and mobile technology in all age groups — pre-school children, teenagers and adults. She carries out workshops in Slovene schools & educational organizations. Technology-wise she is an early adopter, a dedicated advocate of digital transformation and MOOCs. She’s active in NLP — certified NLP practitioner and NLP Master Coach. Her work focuses on including mindfulness into marketing, teaching and coaching. You can always connect tweeting @ZalkaB — she’s a TwitterChat aficionado and loves conversations.
