Social Networking Discussion Posting #2:

Read one of these 2 articles:

• Employers using social networking to investigate potential employees: http://www.npr.org/blogs/alltechconsidered/2012/03/21/149095385/a-job-at-what-cost-when-employers-log-in-to-dig-in.
• Global internet governance: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/09/17/technology/on-the-web-a-fine-line-on-free-speech-across-globe.html?_r=0

Your discussion response should go beyond a simple opinion. Respond to the article in a way that shows your thought process in reacting to it. Start by explaining an ethical question that the article raises for you. Use the rest of the discussion to explain your thought process in trying to answer that question, and why that answer is still not completely satisfying to you. The essay does not have to cover the entire article, just one question that interests you.

The questions you ask yourself should not be able to be answered with yes or no. Consider using Who, What, When, Where or How in your questions.

We will discuss these articles in class the next day.

Sample Discussion Entry:

This discussion entry is in response to:

http://www.npr.org/blogs/alltechconsidered/2012/12/20/167559536/the-day-instagram-almost-lost-its-innocence

(Note the way the discussion builds on itself, questions leading to observations, which lead to further questions. You want to explore complexity to spur discussion, not just come to a simple answer *)

On Dec 17, 2012 Instagram changed its privacy policy in a way that made people think uploaded photos could be used in advertisements without the uploader's permission. People complained and Instagram said they would change the wording. It seems as if the issue here is whether or not Instagram or Facebook, its owner, has the right to use uploaded pictures. What is Instagram's right to make money from uploaded pictures?

Facebook did buy Instagram for $1 billion. It seems to me right that Instagram has to make money somehow. If Instagram sells pictures taken by professionals without royalties, though, the photographers wont be able to stay in business. So if both Instagram and professional photographers have to make money, how will the market balance it?

Instagram announced it was changing terms to allow it to sell uploaded photos to advertisers, and the community resisted. Then Instagram backed off to the point of saying no photos would be used as part of an advertisement. Why did Instagram back off? It seems that Instagram needs to keep the professional photographers actively using Instagram in order to generate income. The market control seems to have worked to protect the right of the photographers, but did Instagram really mean the rights of uploaders to their own photos? There seems to have been a lot of confusion around Instagram's initial announcement, so it makes me suspicious about whether Instagram will deal honestly with its users in the future. If selling pictures is Instagram's intent, how will they be able to do it if users unwittingly agree to the new Terms of Service by continuing to use Instagram? Facebook apparently already does already show user content on facebook advertising, but a user can opt out. How are Facebook's privacy settings protecting or violating the rights of their users as well?

*credited to Dr. Michael Matto, Professor of English at Adelphi