Why I Distanced Myself From Social Media and Never Looked Back
When my friends hear that I am taking a break from social media, they usually show a surprised face and ask, “Why?” Like a lot of people, I used to check my social media feeds whenever I had a spare moment: when I woke up in the morning, when I had meals alone, when I […]
Alone Together: The Paradox of Loneliness in the Age of Social Media
Loneliness is universal—we all have experiences where we yearn for connection with others. Momentary loneliness is normal, but feeling chronically lonely can negatively impact mental and physical health. According to a study conducted by the Harvard Graduate School of Education in 2020, young adults of university age were the hardest hit by loneliness from the […]
Poverty and Privacy: An Inverse Relationship (Part 2)
If you haven’t already, you may want to read part 1 of this series first. In the first part of this series, we discussed the ways in which people experiencing poverty are subjected to higher levels of surveillance, especially in a work context. We also explored the idea that wealth, while not necessarily decreasing how […]
Hacking Horror: How My Digital Identity Was Stolen, and How I Got it Back
If you haven’t had one of your social media accounts hacked, consider yourself lucky—but don’t assume that you will be safe forever.[1] According to a survey by the University of Phoenix, nearly two thirds of adults have had a social media account hacked.[2] Often, scams start by sending an automated link from an already-compromised friend’s […]
The Rise of the Digital Worker: How Digital Labour Platforms are Changing the Future of Work
The Rise of the Digital Worker: How Digital Labour Platforms are Changing the Future of Work Guest Post by Olenna Hardie Imagine you’re browsing the internet, looking for a job, and an ad catches your eye: Be your own boss! Choose your hours! Work from anywhere! You click through and end up on a site […]
Building Your Digital Avatar Using LinkedIn
Building Your Digital Avatar Using LinkedIn Guest Post by Maitreyi Bodkhe After more than a year of Zoom school and professors encouraging everyone to turn on their cameras, I’ve spent a lot of time pondering my social media usage and digital identity. One of my favorite pandemic activities has been creating quirky Zoom backgrounds for […]
Unkweusultineg Protecting Self & Community: Indigenous Activism & Safety in the Digital World
Unkweusultineg Protecting Self & Community: Indigenous Activism & Safety in the Digital World Guest Post by Taya Jardine Introduction We are in a new age of Indigenous uprisings across the colonized world. From international movements such as #LandBack to local movements in Indigenous Nations globally, we are at the forefront of revolution. Engaging with forms […]
Nothing is “Neutral:” Passive Digital Footprints and the Perpetuation of Inequality
Nothing is “Neutral:” Passive Digital Footprints and the Perpetuation of Inequality Guest Post by Kathryn LeBere Have you ever paused to reflect on your passive online activity? How long you lingered on a post? Which links you clicked on while browsing? We all make thousands of semi-unconscious decisions when using the Internet. Our digital presence, […]
Presentation for Educators: Managing Your Online Profile
Presentation for Educators: Managing Your Online Profile Educators and future educators: This presentation is designed and adapted for you to help you learn how to build a digital profile that expresses an authentic “you” while maintaining a professional profile that can help you connect with your community and even help you advance your career. Presentation […]
Guest Post: Chubby Cheeks, Tiny Hands, and Digital Footprints
Chubby Cheeks, Tiny Hands, and Digital Footprints By Kira Vandermeulen We’ve all seen those sweet posts featuring snaps of our friend’s baby with chubby cheeks and little hands. Today, social media is filled with children. This only makes sense: what with kids being so cute, why wouldn’t you Instagram it? However, as it becomes easier […]
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