Being part of Generation Z, I've witnessed the rapid evolution of technology from static to dynamic over the past two decades. As it has become ingrained in our societal norms, we've seamlessly integrated its usage into everyday tasks, like messaging through innovations such as artificial intelligence. We embody the convergence of past frameworks and future visions. However, it's crucial to recognize that being online doesn't guarantee our safety.
As the internet has evolved, my curiosity led me to explore various social media platforms. These platforms request your information to craft a profile for others to explore. While seemingly innocuous, a single misstep can become the loophole exploited by online hackers, leading to issues like defamation and identity theft. In my younger years, I created multiple accounts due to my forgetfulness with passwords, a habit that may still be noticeable today. It's a potentially perilous oversight we should all be mindful of, as it exposes our valuable information to unintended individuals.
Online communities encompass a diverse array of individuals. While we have the freedom to express opinions, ethical standards must be upheld to address issues like harassment and cyberbullying. Consideration must be given to avoiding vulgarity, as varied audiences may be sensitive to such comments.
Netiquette and Network Security are integral when navigating internet rules. Adhering to these guidelines is essential to establishing a secure online space, allowing individuals to communicate and express themselves, and fostering meaningful connections despite physical distance or language barriers.
1.) Presentation and Visualization
Making presentations interesting and easy to understand is crucial for keeping people engaged and effectively delivering information. By using platforms designed for the task, we make our work dynamic and engaging without sacrificing substance. Thanks to technology, we now prefer online presentation tools for their efficiency and visual appeal, ensuring the art of presenting stays alive. Here are my top three recommendations:
An editing tool perfect for beginners to learn with amazing visual elements and transitions.
A classic platform if you want to create slideshows and present information traditionally
A remarkable platform renowned for its flexibility of screensharing in meeting tools
2.) Social Media
Social media has been incorporated into our lives, no matter how old we are. It shows that when we use these platforms, creating content becomes a big source of entertainment. By using social media to share information, we connect with the audience we create our content for and build followers. Here are my top three recommendations:
An app catered to influencers whose content focuses primarily into lifestyle and trends
A classic platform wherein you can like posts with the addition of reels
A platform catering to long-duration content and is famed for subscribers
3.) Cloud Computing
In a time when our usual routines change, we often find ourselves running out of places to stash files and keep things organized. We end up deleting unused items to make room for new ones. But thanks to cloud computing, storing files has become a breeze.Here are my top three recommendations:
A public cloud vendor used worldwide by Google users with a limit of 5TB
An Apple-exclusive cloud space that can store files with a limit of 5 GB
The all-around file storage platform that allows you to access files anywhere
In a world where technology is a big deal in our lives, we're expected to keep up with new changes and innovations as they come. This puts pressure on us, dividing people into different categories. This is coined by the term Digital Divide.
In the modern age, factors like digital literacy influence people's tech skills, and not everyone possesses equal proficiency. Some folks face barriers in social aspects, struggling to access the internet like the rest of us. In a cultural sense, tech access tends to favor the middle and upper classes, with language barriers also playing a role.
Economically, tech availability varies between first- and third-world countries, influenced by their financial resources. People in some places might avoid technology due to uncertainty or it not aligning with their norms.
To tackle the digital divide, we need plans to simplify technology, make it user-friendly, and explain its functions clearly. Ignoring the digital divide is a big deal for both consumers and producers. Bridging the internet world with present-day minds is key for technology to thrive.
The internet plays a significant role in my daily life, seamlessly fitting into my routine for both entertainment and research. Through social media, I find moments of amusement, and in the vast sea of information, I explore educational pursuits.
However, as the internet shapes my experiences, I am keenly aware of its dual nature, particularly in the realm of daily news dissemination. Livestreams from various networks bring a concern—the subtle entry of fake news into our awareness. This misinformation can infiltrate our understanding like a hidden undercurrent, leaving us unaware of its presence.
Navigating the digital landscape also exposes me to societal norms, and encounters with situations outside accepted norms challenge me to grapple with closed-mindedness. This prevailing narrow-mindedness perpetuates ignorance and worsens the lack of representation for minority concerns, creating an environment where voices go unheard.
Despite these challenges, the internet serves as a powerful tool for self-expression, offering a virtual space for freely articulating opinions. However, this freedom carries a responsibility—to use the internet as a platform for advocacy. In my journey, I've employed this digital realm to champion charitable causes, leveraging the virtual space to garner support and provide aid.
Reflecting on my digital footprint, I acknowledge the internet as more than a mere tool for personal expression; it is a dynamic force with the potential to drive positive change. The responsibility rests on us, the inhabitants of the virtual realm, to wield this tool judiciously, advocating for rights and promoting justice for the betterment of humankind. Through this mindful approach, we transform the internet from a conduit of information into a catalyst for meaningful and positive transformation.