Friday, November 20, 2009
Access to technology.
Do you think young users of virtual worlds are better off than those who are unable to access virtual worlds? In other words, do you think there is an advantage to having the means to virtual world experiences versus those who don't have the opportunity? Why or why not? This question stems from our reading assignments due November 23rd.
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I think this is a very interesting question to ask and I touch on it very lightly in one of my last journal entries, without actually stating this question. I noticed when I was acting like a lesbian in the virtual world and was in a homosexual event room that most of the people were younger, early to mid teen years. It really got me thinking about this pattern that I kept seeing and I really think it has to do with the fact that they know that they are gay and yet are scared to REALLY come out of the closet and admit it in real life. Habbo Hotel provides a place for them to go where they can hide their actual identity but let out a real side of them, their homosexual side, that they are not comfortable letting out in reality yet.
ReplyDeleteFor these young users, I think the virtual world can really help them. It allows them to meet others who may be going through the same situation and to gain more confidence. However, I also think there can be a big downside to this. I am not really for virtual worlds as a true other existence. They can be fun but I prefer the real world. I prefer real conversations with real people in real places so I might be a little biased in my thinking. But I think that children and teenagers need to learn how to cope in the world without hiding behind a computer screen and a goofy avatar.
That is not the real world and isn't really going to teach them how to interact, get a job, be socially inept for college or a job. I think a virutal world can hinder someone from growing up and growing into a person that functions in the real world. Yet, I can also see how it can help homosexual users and I'm sure it helps with other issues, as well, which is why I am torn on this issue.
In short, I believe a virtual world can do both hurt and help depending on how much time and energy a user puts into the community he is participating in. I can see both the advantages and disadvantages to having access to a virtual world. However, kids have also been growing up for thousands of years without virtual worlds and most have turned out fine, but my opinion is still split on this issue.
In my comparison of virtual worlds (second life and barbie) i think that there is no clear answer to whether or not young adults are better off with or without virtual worlds. I think that barbie works very hard to create a secure and fun place for young girls to use the internet. I consider it secure because they constantly send emails to parents and manage the content closely in the world. Second life however, is something young adults should not be involved in. The only way i feel that the experience would be positive in this virtual world would be if it were the example of how not to behave. The readings for Nov 23rd examined how the internet has become a source of education for young adults. I think that the content in second life is very inappropriate for young adults especially concerning things such as clothing, social behavior, relationship building, and etc.
ReplyDeleteI really do not think that second life has an advantage for young users. It has some very innapropriate things going on. Second life has nude beaches, sex clubs, sex parties, and even in normal shopping centers second life has pictures of girls bent over with skirts on. I feel very weird being on second life and talking to me that I don't know, or don't even know what they look like. They could be lying about everything, so I don't think that is a good idea for users even younger then me.
ReplyDeleteI think that virtual worlds both can benefit and also no benefit the young users of virtual worlds. I say this because in virtual worlds like on the one iam in which is Barbie Girls it gives young girls a chance to interact and talk to other young girls around the country who have the same interests. this gives them a chance to meet new friends and be more social. However, it could be detrimental to these young girls because they could be so used to being online and meeting people there, that their interpersonal skills in real life could hinder because they are not used to having as much interaction with real people as opposed to virtual ones. Virtual worlds also can't really teach those real life everyday situations people go to because it is a fantasy world. And some young people might start to rely on their fantasy world and like it better than their real life which could cause problems. With todays society and more young kids becoming more obese because they do not get enough exercise is another reason why virtual worlds could be detrimental. This is because young kids will want to always be inside on the computer playing those games instead of running around and getting exercise. So overall I think that virtual worlds are more detrimental that beneficial.
ReplyDeleteI think that there are benefits and harms for young users of virtual worlds. I do not think that if a young person is unable to access the virtual world because they cannot afford the internet that it will harm their life opportunities. For a young person to have access to virtual worlds, it would help them with networking, social skills, and give them a new type of entertainment. The harm though is that virtual worlds could keep young people from face to face social interactions, expose them to inappropriate situations, and hiding from real life problems.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great question, and I am not completely sure on how to answer. I think there are a few factors determining whether or not children having access to a virtual world could be a gift or a curse. For parents who are very involved in their children's lives, guiding them, teaching them, monitoring them, and instilling good judgement and good behavior allowing their child in a virtual world may be okay. For parents who are too busy with life, work, etc and who are not spending much time with their children and using TV and the computer as a babysitter this could be a recipe for disaster. I think as long as you are instilling good values and monitoring and making theit virtual world activity not a daily occurance it is okay. Children do know right from wrong, and it is a way to learn, express creativity, and meet new friends. However for children who are influenced easily and don't have the parental support and involvement allowing a child on here may not be a good thing. With technology advancements I think that children are not properly learning how to interact face to face, they are constantly hiding behind cell phones and computers. I do think virtual worlds are okay, as long as not too much time is being spent on them, and that the child knows right from wrong and has very involved parents. All other situations and scenarios, I am leaning towards no.
ReplyDeleteI think that it can go both ways. I think that children who have access to the online virtual worlds really have an opportunity to learn some new things and even meet new people. It allows for children to be social and be someone else if they want to be. For the most part these places are secure and seem safe. On the other hand I think it could be a good thing that children who do not have access because it gives them more time to do more important things rather than sitting at a desk staring at a computer screen for hours. Often times parents do not monitor children's use of the computer and television when they should be and I think that it something that is definitely important to do.
ReplyDeleteI think some virtual worlds are more appropriate than others for younger audiences. From what I have witnessed on my virtual world, inappropriate things can be seen and accessed. Some of the conversations at the events are somewhat censored, yet there are still a lot of things people can see. I'm sure virtual worlds, like the Barbie one, might be a little more acceptable for younger children.
ReplyDeleteI don't think that I missed anything by not being in a virtual world when I was younger. The users of some of the virtual worlds need to be mature and understanding of what is going on. It could be dangerous for children to view some things in virtual worlds, and may need a parent to be monitoring them.
I can see where it might be beneficial, yet I don't think I would want younger audiences to be in too many virtual worlds without supervision.
I think there are both advantages and disadvantages for young users to have access to virtual worlds. It is good for them because it can give them games to play and help them be social and talk to others. Also, if someone is sexually unsure about himself or herself they can be open about it in a virtual world and be able to talk to people about it when they aren’t comfortable enough to do it in real life. It helps as an outlet in a way and a way to cope and grow. But there are also disadvantages! Kids are being exposed to things through virtual worlds that they shouldn’t be exposed to like adult situations and language. They are also being affected by the media when it comes to how they should look, because of the looks and styles that are made up and given by these virtual worlds. I think that kids are better off playing outside and using their imagination than playing on the computer in a virtual world. This is one reason why younger kids are more obese now then they were ten to fifteen years ago.
ReplyDeleteI don't think it is an advantage for the young to have access to virtual worlds. The young should be interacting with people in the real world, not in a fantasy one. It is really sad that all of the technologies today have created a world where people sit at home and text or use these virtual worlds to communicate. People need that face to face contact. People see these technologies as good because they speed up the rate that we communicate and the destroy the distances that we create when apart from one another. We often forget how important the human touch is and the good way that we feel when we see someone smile at us. We need that face to face interaction to make us feel alive. It is not good to be getting so far from our natural state.
ReplyDeleteIt is also bad for the young to have this access because they get exposed to certain things too young. They should not be able to read avatars talking frequently about sex. Almost every time I went to an event on Yoville I would find a conversation about sex. The more the young know the more they want to do it, the more they do it the more messed up in the head they get. Or the more STDs they get. The young already get too much information about sex through tv and other internet sources, why do they need one more thing? They have plenty of time to find out about that stuff when they are a little older.
I think the access to technology that makes virtual worlds possible is a definite advantage. Virtual worlds themselves however, no. I don't think a virtual world is something i would want my children to have access to when i have to make that choice. I have felt like, from the beginning, that the virtual world is unrealistic and another reason for kids to not be outside with real friends getting real world experience. going outside, making real friends, doing things that normal kids do is what i think is important. I live in florida this summer and watched my cousins stay inside doing nothing but playing with technology, and i disagree with it.
ReplyDeletei think that just like any media outlet, access to the internet and the use of a virtual world can have a negative affect on children participating and therefore i think that children who are not exposed are the ones who are better off because they are experiencing "real life". these days too many children are plopping their ass in front of computers or TV's and arent being active like children used to be. i think virtual worlds are totally unrealistic and to involve yourself in something so false is a step in the wrong direction when trying to grow up. i think children who arent involved are better off at learning how to deal with the real world and real life because theyre facing real problems.
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