photo credit: Cyberbullying

Is technology responsible for cyberbullying? Does cyberbullying even exist? Yes, unfortunately, cyberbullying is a real phenomenon. Cyberbullying is the new term for online bullying, i.e. writing nasty comments about someone on the various social media sites like Facebook, Twitter, and MySpace. It has received a lot of press lately with some high profile teen suicides being blamed on cyberbullying. But the issue of whether or not technology is responsible is murky. The problem doesn’t lie with technology but instead with the cruelty of people using online methods of taunting and harassing others.

Does Cyberbullying Exist?

Is it illegal to taunt someone online? Different states have different laws or regulations about cyberbullying. Massachusetts passed legislation in May and 44 other states have some sort of legislation pending, even if only to discourage bullying at school. There is concern among lawmakers that even if passed, there will be legal challenges concerning the right to free speech.

High profile teen suicides have made big splashes in the media. Tyler Clementi, a student at Rutgers University, committed suicide when his roommate posted some very personal info on the web about Tyler. The two fellow students involved have been charged with invasion of privacy that could result in 5 years in prison. Megan Meier, a 13 year who committed suicide, was taunted by an adult neighbor, Lori Drew, who posed as a teenage boy on MySpace. Ms. Drew was convicted, but the conviction was overthrown because the laws are so vague.

Many teens live in a naïve world. They don’t realize that what may have started out as a joke or a flirt could end up hurting their entrance into some colleges or even their careers later on down the line. Imagine how surprised and hurt that teen will be when the photo they sent over their phone to their current sweetheart ends up on the web after a breakup. James Lipton, Inside the Actor’s Studio on HBO, has been instrumental in a campaign about sexting, a term coined from sex and texting. See my blog, Sexting: Give It a Ponder before you text.

What is the solution? Do you think we need laws with stiff penalties to stop this new trend of cyberbullying? Is public awareness through the press, as well as campaigns at schools against bullying the answer? Clearly something needs to happen to protect the young people. Will it take more teen suicides to make this a top priority with lawmakers? But will the laws even be effective? What’s your take? Give us a shout about your feelings.

photo credit: Text4Baby

Mobile technology will improve worldwide health utilizing simple cell phones. According to an article by ThirdAge.com, Microsoft founder, Bill Gates told the mHealth Summit last week that with cheap diagnostic tools, patient reminders, and making immunization programs more efficient, cell phones can truly improve global health. Gates said that with cell phone access, a doctor can link into a clinic to give more doctor access to patients. “Wider adoption of mobile tech across the developing world can improve health care with improved diagnostic tools and more efficient immunization programs,” said Gates at this week’s mHealth Summit. Read the rest of this entry »

photo credit: T2 Mood Tracker

Last month the Pentagon released a new Smartphone App to help the troops. The T2 Mood Tracker (from the National Center for Telehealth and Technology) won first place in the “General Wellness” category this year in the military’s Apps4Army (A4A) competition as a way to self-monitor the moods and stress levels of our troops and veterans. Currently the app is only available for Android Smartphones, but a version for the iPhone is expected early next year, according to an article by LEO SHANE III, Stars And Stripes’ “Stripe Central,” at Stripes.com. Read the rest of this entry »

photo credit: No Smartphone

New research from Forrester reveals that only 17% of Americans own a Smartphone. Forrester’s research indicated that while 82% of Americans own a cell phone, the high tech Smartphones are not so popular. In an article written by Amy Gahran, CNN.com Tech, Ms. Gahran reported “this is true even among the most digitally savvy generations: Gen X (roughly ages 31-40) and Gen Y (roughly ages 18-30).” And according to Forrester, less than 25% of Gen Yers and Gen Xers own Smartphones. Read the rest of this entry »

photo credit: Driving Distraction

Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood wants to ban all cell phones in cars. He said drivers are distracted by any in-vehicle gadget use, even the hands-free kind, and research may lead him to encourage states to ban the devices from cars, according to the report. Read the rest of this entry »

photo credit: Driving Jabber

Will there be a nationwide ban for cell phone usage while driving? The federal administration’s stance on cell phone usage while driving is firm and may progress to an outright ban. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood believes drivers should not even use cellular phones hands-free. That may be a bit over the top, don’t you think? And would it really be enforceable? Read the rest of this entry »

photo credit: Driving & Texting

California State Highway Patrol says distracted driving is the #1 cause of teen driving accidents. Distracted driving includes texting as well as cell phone calls. Furthermore, California has the second-highest fatality rate nationwide involving drivers between the ages of 15 and 20. Read the rest of this entry »

photo credit: Kenya’s Cell Explosion

Only 19% of Kenya’s 39 million people have access to a formal bank account. As a result, a cell phone-based system that allows people to transfer money and pay bills without a bank account is transforming business in Kenya. Since the introduction of M-Pesa, the first such service, three years ago, Kenyans have used it to transfer $4.4 billion. Read the rest of this entry »

photo credit: Cyberbullying

Cyberbullying and “sexting” are becoming more common. As the average age of cell phone users drops down closer to grade school level, the schools are trying to take action. (See my blog Cyberbullying is a growing concern.) But just how far should the schools be able to go in their quest to protect students? Is searching cell phones a viable option? Read the rest of this entry »

photo credit: Out of the Box

Afraid your mom can’t learn how to use a Smartphone? The new “Out of the Box” Smartphone tutorial may be just the ticket. The idea is to place the Smartphone in the cut out in the book and use the easy to follow arrows to click and perform the tasks you want to learn. It’s a hands-on way to learn your Smartphone. It kind of reminds me of the big pre-school books with touch texture and play sounds. Read the rest of this entry »