Week Five

            This week in the psychology of social media we discussed several new topics involving social media. The topics discussed in our preparatory assignment and in class on Tuesday involved social media altruism and slacktivism. Altruism in social media includes the selfless acts people participate in through social media, however, critics of these individuals call them “slacktivists.” I have come to realize that although slacktivists may have a more positive influence in society if they were in fact activists, they are helping spread information and as a result there is more pressure placed on individuals that do have power to act when it is necessary. One example is the Bring Back Our Girls campaign, headed by the First Lady, Michelle Obama. Although some have critiqued Michelle Obama, she has done more for the campaign than any other individual could have. Increasingly people are becoming more and more aware of the girls kid napped in Nigeria, and although we can not go to Nigeria to bring back the girls on our own, simply through people knowing and placing pressure on the Nigerian Government, they are more likely to act when they may have simply ignored it otherwise. Although some argue that slacktivism is not doing any good, it also is not doing any harm, so I feel that there is not need to put it to an end or critique those that are participating in it.

            On Thursday we had a guest teacher who explained some of the negative aspects of the Internet. One aspect that he touched on is the “deep web,” for example “TOR.” I had never heard of TOR before, and even hesitate Googling it to find out more about it. It is apparently a way the individuals can search whatever they would like on the web and you cannot trace it back to them or their location. I have been watching the TV show “Scandal” this last week. Scandal is a fictional television show about the White House and what goes on behind the scenes of politics. While watching the show I certainly have found it entertaining, however I never imagined that there was actually technology capable of doing the things portrayed in this TV show, like TOR. When I imagine how wonderful TOR can be if used responsibly, for example to get messages out of China, I want to be an avid supporter; however, when I think of how much harm to does, like drugs trafficking, child pornography, and so many other despicable things, I become convinced that the Government needs to find a way to shut it down. I am grateful that we were able to learn more about the deep web because I have heard people mention it during class yet I never quite knew what they were referring to. It is scary to learn about such things, but it is also scary just to be naïve about what is going on around me.