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Chapter 13, Social and Political Issues
Outline
13.1
Introduction
13.2
Health, Social Interaction and the Internet
13.2.1 Social Health
13.2.2 Children and the Internet
13.3
Socio-Economic Segregation
13.4
New Economic Workforce
13.5
Online Communities
13.5.1 Online Communities: Defining the Difference
13.5.2 Communication Tools
13.5.3 Online Activism
13.6
Online Charities and Non-Profit Organizations on the Web
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13.1 Introduction
• Internet as a valuable social tool
– Learning, business and communications
– Influence on our commercial, political and social lives
– Provides forum for addressing important issues, supporting
causes and meeting new individuals
• Digital divide
– Socio-economic segregation based on those who can afford
electronic equipment, access and education and those who
cannot
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13.2 Health, Social Interaction and
the Internet
• Opponents and Proponents
– Life becoming too dependent on the Internet
– Studies show users spending more time on the Internet
• less time devoted to interpersonal communication
– Internet provides alternatives to traditional forms of
communication
• E-mailing, video-conferencing, chat rooms, electronic forums,
message boards
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13.2.1 Social Health
• Stanford University Study
– Internet users socially isolated
– Study was later called into question
• Availability of material
– Pornography, gambling, Internet scams and violence
• Tolerance varies in different regions of world
• Pornography is protected by U.S. Constitution
• Ability for individuals of all age groups to access material
considered harmful
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13.2.2 Children and the Internet
• Development of children
– Proponents: access gives them a head-start in their education
– Opponents: not suitable
• Interrupts communication skills
• Distracts children from outdoor activity
• Explicit speech and adult conversations found in chat rooms
– Filtering software and other methods for restricting access
• Home schooling and Internet use
– Advocates: efficient learning environment
• Lessons tailored to the aptitude of the student
• Online text chatting and message boards
• Online tutors, classes and supplementary information
– Opponents: limited social interaction
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13.3 Socio-Economic Segregation
• Digital divide
– Cost of access, support, instructions
– Not all users own credit cards
– Food stamps are not accepted by most online merchants
• Consequences
– Lack of access and skills
• Limited applicants for technical positions
• Possible affect on economy as growth is hindered by limited
resources
• Efforts to bridge the gap
• AOL@School
• PeoplePC
• Computers For Youth
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13.4 New Economic Workplace
• Starting an e-business
– New job requirements and more flexibility
– Growth and use of digital transmission
• Streaming media
– Remote office
• Personal computers and handheld devices
• Outside contractors
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13.5 Online Communities
• Structure
– Not by geographic boundaries but shared interests
– Developing communities and facilitating discussion
 2001 Prentice Hall, Inc. All rights reserved.
13.5.1 Online Communities: Defining
the Difference
• Text communication
• Gender, race, creed, age and sexual orientation
play a limited role in the user’s experience
• Issues and action
– Present an idea or opinion in the political sphere
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13.5.1 Online Communities: Defining
the Difference
Examples of ethnic Web sites:
Web sites
www.blackvoices.com
www.migente.com
www.asianavenue.com
www.blackplanet.com
www.celt.net
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13.5.1 Online Communities: Defining
the Difference
Online communities based on shared interests:
Co m munity
URL
Purp o se
Agri-Ville: Online Farming
Community
www.agri-ville.com
To connect farmers online and
provide relevant current events.
Online seminars and discussion
are also available.
The Learning Space
www.learningspace.org To connect educators and
provide discussion and
information on educational
issues.
www.gca.ca
To provide a forum for
individuals interested in
protecting the environment.
Green Communities
Association
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13.5.1 Online Communities: Defining
the Difference
Gender-specific communities:
Gender-Specific Sites URL
Purpose
The Men’s Issues Page www.vix.com/pub Offers information on
/men/index.html men’s issues, such as
fatherhood and
physical health.
www.vicaids.asn Provides health and
Victorian AIDS
.au
Council/ Gay Men’s
treatment information
Health Centre
for men with AIDS.
www.menshealth. Presents health
Men’s Health
com
information, current
events and interactive
chat opportunities.
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13.5.1 Online Communities: Defining
the Difference
Gender-specific communities:
Women.com
www.women.com
Provides women’s health
information, current events
and interactive opportunities.
Advancing Woman
www.advancingwomen.com
An online career
advancement center for
women in technology.
Ms. Foundation for Women
www.ms.foundation.org
The Web site for the
National Women’s Fund.
Presents women’s issues,
events and contribution
opportunities.
African American Women’s members.tripod.com/~AAWN1 Provides access to cultural,
Network
personal and professional
development. News articles,
classes and directories are
available on the site.
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13.5.2 Communication Tools
• Chatting enables social interaction on the Web
• EGroups.com allows users to join interest-based
e-mail groups
– Distributed to the whole group
– Start their own groups and select members
• Crowdburst
– Allows groups to tour the Web together
• Participate.com
– Helps e-businesses build online communities
• AOL Instant Messenger and MSN Messenger
Service
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13.5.2 Communication Tools
Person-to-person and conference calls through Firetalk. (Courtesy of
Firetalk Communications, Inc.)
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13.5.2 Communication Tools
Firetalk’s Instant Messaging interface. (Courtesy
of Firetalk Communications, Inc.)
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13.5.2 Communication Tools
Firetalk Web-based tour. (Courtesy of Firetalk Communications, Inc.)
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13.5.3 Online Activism
• Activism, social awareness and the ability to build
online communities around these issues of concern
• Political and social action
– Youthactivism.com
• Information on picking a cause, team organization and
decision-making
– Igc.org
• Human rights, racism, sexism
• WomenNet, EcoNet, PeaceNet, Anti-RacismNet
• National Organization for Women and the Hunger Project
– Resourcelink.org
• Surplus food supplies
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13.5.3 Online Activism
• Voting online
– Learn more about the candidates
– People could regularly log on and vote directly on the issues
that interest them
– Obstacles
• Crashes, computer hackers
• SETI@home
– Collaborative-computing network
• Support a number of causes by donating unused computer time
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13.5.3 Online Activism
Youth Activism home page. (Courtesy of Activism Project 2000.)
 2001 Prentice Hall, Inc. All rights reserved.
13.6 Online Charities and Non Profit
Organizations on the Web
• Relative ease of designing and maintaining a
content-based Web site
• Web of Hope
– Fundraising
– Grant Applications
• Stopitnow.com
– Helpline for sexual offenders
– Information and contacts
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13.6 Online Charities and Non Profit
Organizations on the Web
Online organizations and charities:
Organization
The Hunger Site
URL
www.thehungersite.com
Cause
Internet surfers can initiate
corporate donations by
clicking on their
advertisements.
Big Brother Association
www.bigbroboston.org
Provides information and
applications for becoming a
big brother in the Boston area.
American Rivers Online
www.amrivers.org
Learn more about endangered
rivers in the United States.
Favors Unlimited
www.favorsunlimited.com Web surfers can visit this site
and look through postings of
people in need.
www.drugfreeamerica.org Provides parents and their
children with information.
www.ejaf.org
Lists fundraisers and
facilitates auctions.
Drug-Free America
Elton John AIDS
Foundation
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