Privacy & Confidentiality

New Media, and the internet more specifically, has brought people together into a virtual public world. It is important to understand that the internet is a public forum. Almost anything can be put on the internet. Just like in the real world, some people do not realize the importance of privacy and confidentiality online. Its actually more important on the internet, yet negligence to such things seems to be increased. Because the internet is easy to access and is so easily searchable, one must use discretion when posting information online. One must also remember that since everyone can see what you post, including people of all ages, races, genders, nationalities, etc, you have to be careful what you put on. Children especially are very easily influenced by what they see online. And with parents' ignorance when it comes to their children accessing whatever they want, it is up to the rest of society to make sure nothing damaging is accessed easily. I think more measures should be put in to prevent children from accessing websites that aren't appropriate. What they see online can be harmful to their minds. Social networking sites are only further pushing such material to them as people promote some very inappropriate content. This is a problem within our society as a whole, and it will only progress to get worse as we venture into the future. The internet is becoming a bigger part of life and children younger and younger and getting on it and accessing all of it.