To further complicate matters, and to add to the sleepless nights of mothers, these networked publics bring about the discussion of cyberbullying. In my opinion, the issue of cyberbullying seems almost a more prevalent issue than sexual predators. Boyd, however, quickly breaks down this thought. “Although data suggests otherwise, the assumption among many parents and journalists is that social media radically increases bullying” Boyd states (130). Cyberbullying has been a heavily talked about issue recently, and I don’t think anyone would contest that, but as Boyd has addresses, in order to fully understand “cyberbullying” amongst teens, you have to use their language and their definitions. Context is everything. When you take the teens definitions of cyberbullying, it reveals that they do not feel that it is as big as an issue as adults are making it out to be. As Boyd states, “Social media has not radically altered the dynamics of bullying, but it has made these dynamics more visible to more people” (152).
Visibility is also within the topic of discussion when it comes to inequality. At first, after reading about sexual predators, cyberbullying, and privacy issues, the topic of inequality seemed disjointed. Boyd quickly covers how inequality ties in with the issues of networked publics, and how to dig deeper into the issue. While some may argue that technology may increase inequality, and others argue it may decrease inequality by expanding teens networks and connections, technology is merely making the inequality more visible to a broader audience. Despite what some had hoped, “...social media is not the cultural remedy that some people had hoped it would become” (175).
Visibility is also within the topic of discussion when it comes to inequality. At first, after reading about sexual predators, cyberbullying, and privacy issues, the topic of inequality seemed disjointed. Boyd quickly covers how inequality ties in with the issues of networked publics, and how to dig deeper into the issue. While some may argue that technology may increase inequality, and others argue it may decrease inequality by expanding teens networks and connections, technology is merely making the inequality more visible to a broader audience. Despite what some had hoped, “...social media is not the cultural remedy that some people had hoped it would become” (175).