Web 2.0 - Looking at it from an ethical side

It is no secret that there are some concerns over certain aspects of the Web. 

The fact that online we can be anything we want to be or whoever we say we are is a huge worry. There is always that issue of reliability, making us question sources and profiles. There have been so many reported ‘cat-fish’ stories where someone has very easily and believably presented themselves as a totally different person. There is an opportunity to create a whole new profile for yourself and become whatever you want, and then share this online with other people, making them believe you are who you say you are. This can have an effect on not only personal lives but professional lives too. People have often approached others on social media acting as a boss looking to employ you, and it turns out to be just a huge scam. And although applications try their best to monitor situations like these, there is no real way of knowing whether someone is telling the truth or not.

Then there is the issue of privacy. Anyone anywhere in the world can see what you post and share on social media, we can monitor settings yes, making things more private, but even if they can’t see everything, your name and photo is still out there for the world to see. There have been many cases of stolen identity, people creating social media profiles based off another individual's photos and information. This is a scary thought. 

And then there is the more recent concern of being ‘web-famous’. It seems as though people will do anything these days to get more followers or likes on a video. To be popular in the online-community, no matter what that takes. I have often seen disturbing videos online that have attracted a lot of web attention and wondered which morals that creator had broken in order to get these followers and likes?

Most social media sites have privacy settings that can be changed. I don’t know whether this is just me, but personally I have always found these settings rather confusing – difficult to understand what each setting means or how to change it. 

I feel as though the age at which children get their own device allowing them to access Web 2.0 and create profiles on social media sites is getting younger and younger each year. Younger children are much more naïve and trusting. Personally I think that sites like Instagram & Facebook should automatically be private, you should have to accept someone for them to be able to see anything on your page. 

With this blog I like the fact that I have to share the web link with people for them to be able to view it. It isn’t on google for everyone to access, I must choose to share the link. I think there should be more sites like this and generally more emphasis on privacy on social media sites and Web 2.0 in general.

I am not denying the benefits of Web 2.0…it is a hugely positive development with many advantages. But I do think that more attention needs to be given to the ethical side of things, to protect the people that utilize Web 2.0 in all its glory.