Reading and Research

As I read through this weeks assignments I realized that while researching has become more complicated by the introduction of technology, it has also been made easier.  When I first entered the days of being a student and having to research topics all I had to do was go to the library and open the card catalog.  Simply put..one catalog, lots of books.  Now it's many catalogs or databases, tons of ways to seek and find.  If I simply learn how to select the proper database and the manner in which to narrow down my search based on key words which relate to my topic, I can find the material I want.  I can recall being very frustrated when I first attempted to research via Chapman's electronic library.  I could never find what I want or when I did get a return on my search it wasn't what I wanted.  This weeks reading helped me to realize that not only are my results a product of my lack of skill in searching but also based on the vast amount of resources at my disposal.  If I learn how to make the most of the tools available at my fingertips. 

My research this week revealed that there isn't much specific information available on my topic of focus and that if I am to continue on with this idea I will need to devote more time and energy into locating resources.   Young people have grown up on the world wide web. Most were introduced to the world before they were even born thanks to social media.  Parents use it and children are starting to use it at younger and younger ages.  Our youth are developing their peer networks through social media.  At an age where being accepted is so important to them, this platform opens up a whole world to our youth.  Unfortunately, they are also exposed to a new form of school yard bullying or violence.  Historically kids settled their differences in person.  A bully would hang out and inflict his torture face to face.  Social media now allows the bully to torture and harass from a keyboard with digital words or images.  There are times when the two meet and the common access to internet capable phones with cameras allows the bully to record and publicize his or her activities in an effort to gain popularity, acceptance and fame.  While they obtain their 15 minutes of fame, the damage that occurs to the victims lasts considerably longer.

Understanding this topic and finding ways to discourage it is becoming ever more important.  As technology increases the ability to participate in such activities also has the potential to increase.  We must find ways to stop it and assist the victims in recovery.