JMS 210 4.3

The final segment of the digital citizenship course.
Focus on the complexities of technology and digital literacy, including:
  - Web 2.0
  - Technological capabilities
  - Online participation norms and values
  - Importance of critical engagement with information

Personal Psychological Impacts of Engaging Online
- Discussion of cyberbullying
- Understanding the challenges of living in a digitally dependent world
Digital Divide
- Issues of equitable access to technology

1 in 6 school-age children experience cyberbullying.
73% of users report harassment on platforms like Twitter.
44% of Internet users in the United States have faced some form of harassment online (the instructor is included in this statistic).
76% of gamers report harassment (3 in every 4).

Recognize that cyberbullying is a real issue that can have severe impacts on individuals.
Discuss the role of media in portraying the issue.
The potential for anonymity and constant connectivity to exacerbate online harassment.

Magnification of harm through anonymity and public visibility.
Mental health implications for victims (anxiety, depression).
The necessity to recognize and understand online harassment forms to combat it effectively.

Definition: The act of publicly disclosing personal information about someone without their consent, often with the intent to harm or embarrass.
Example: A student body president speaking out on a campus issue has their personal information shared online, leading to harassment.

Definition: Deliberately provoking others online through inflammatory comments.
Used synonymously with rage baiting, where the goal is to incite anger rather than engage constructively.
Example: Inflammatory replies to reasonable criticisms can exacerbate online hostility.

Definition: When multiple people target one user simultaneously in an attack, leading to overwhelming negativity.
Example: A single critical tweet escalates into a swarm of insults from multiple users, creating a hostile environment.

Definition: Nonconsensual sharing of intimate images to harm a person, often misleadingly termed “revenge porn.”
The term implies a sense of deserved consequences, which is inaccurate. More appropriate terms include nonconsensual pornography and image-based sexual abuse.
Statistics:
- As of 2022, over 200,000 cases of nonconsensual image sharing were reported in the US.
- 1 in 25 adults has experienced nonconsensual image sharing.
Demographic Impact: Increased risk for women, particularly Black and Latina women, as well as LGBTQ+ youth.

Documentation: Always document evidence (screenshots, URLs, usernames).
Reporting: Use platform tools (Instagram, TikTok, etc.) to report the harassment.
Know Your Rights: Federal criminal laws against nonconsensual intimate image sharing exist (e.g., the TikTok Down Act).
Seek Help: Utilize campus resources like the Title IX office, student conduct office, or counseling services.
Protect Personal Accounts: Use two-factor authentication, change passwords, and ensure privacy settings are appropriate.
Reach Out for Support: Talk to friends, family, or professional counselors for help.

Social media is integral to daily life, often serving as the first and last activity of the day.
It can provide a sense of connection but has a darker side that exacerbates mental health issues.

1 in 5 US teens feel connected through social media but also experience negative mental health impacts.
40% of young people with depression or anxiety report problematic social media use linked to more severe symptoms.

Suggests that excessive social media use displaces healthy face-to-face interactions.
Example: Stress leads to scrolling instead of studying, displacing productive behaviors.

Our online presentations often create anxiety due to the gap between our curated online self and our real life situation.
This theory discusses the nature of identity performance in social media contexts, heightening self-comparison issues.

The digital divide refers to the gaps in access to technology and internet resources among populations.

Access: Who can connect to the Internet and has appropriate devices.
   - Statistics: As of 2025,
     - 2.6 billion people globally remained offline.
     - 27% of low-income countries versus 93% of high-income countries have reliable Internet access.
Skills Divide: Who knows how to effectively use digital technology.
- Nearly 48 million US workers lack foundational digital skills necessary for in-demand jobs.
- Example skills include using Google Docs, Microsoft Excel, and general online navigation.
Usage Divide: How the technology is utilized in daily life for education, work, and civic engagement.
- Differences in the purpose of technology use can lead to inequalities.

Disparities in educational access, employment opportunities, health care access (telemedicine), and civic engagement because of unequal access and skills.
Highlight the demographic groups disproportionately affected: people of color, low-income households, rural communities, older adults, and persons with disabilities.

The next wave of the digital divide relates to who can develop and utilize AI effectively.
Countries lacking research power risk becoming mere consumers of technologies without the ability to innovate, leading to global inequities.

Digital citizenship encompasses various aspects of online experiences and responsibilities.
Understanding online harassment, mental health impacts, the digital divide, and AI implications is essential for responsible digital citizenship.
Emphasizes the need for empathy, awareness, and proactive behaviors for a healthier online environment and society.