Digital Mapping
With all the apps available at hand on our mobile devices, it's difficult to pinpoint which apps and websites belong on my digital map. Are we visitors at all when it seems that a lot of our internet usage is tracked and cross-matched to better suit our ads? I find it both funny and eerie when I have a conversation with a friend that I haven't searched on my browser, then shortly after finding it in my ads.
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| Image Source: Dopl3r |
My Digital Map
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Image created by author via Google Drawings |
As I started my digital map, there were apps I was definite about including. It wasn't until I scrolled through the app list on my phone that I had forgotten about a few applications and websites. I was certain about social media apps such as Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook, though I am not on Twitter as frequently as Instagram or Facebook. Ever since I joined those apps, I am quite sure that I haven't gone a day without checking each platform at least once daily. This digital map has truly made me reflect on how much time I spend on my phone and what I do with it.
Reflecting on my Time and Usage
I was surprised while working on my digital map that so many of the platforms I use are very personal and residential. I would like to think that I am a fairly private person on social media, but I share lots of content on my private account. I also noticed how sparse my professional and visitor quadrant turned out to be. Weekdays are when I truly use Brightwheel since it is an app I use for work. When it comes to the weekend, I prefer to disconnect from work so I rarely open Brightwheel.
Before the semester began, I recall thinking as a full-time employee, part-time student, and helping my sister plan her wedding on the side, there was going to be a huge shift in how I spent my time leisurely on my phone. Had I not been involved in planning my sister's wedding, Pinterest and Canva would not be as prevalent. Six months to a year ago, my usage of Instagram would have been colossal. I have time limit settings for social media on my phone but would ignore the notification for the day so I would have access to my feed for the rest of the day. I shamefully identify my fear of missing out (FOMO) if I missed out on a friend's story or post.
As I continue to reflect, both for this digital mapping and in the pandemic, I have come to more of an appreciation for those around me. Yes, sometimes strangers you meet on the internet can turn out to be great friends, and social media is a great resource to keep up with family and friends who are far away, but the people we have in front of us are the ones I hold near and dear to my heart. As great of a resource as the internet is, some people consider themselves better off without it. Personally, I don't think I could not go "offline" since so many answers are found easily with a few clicks, but it is always a nice reminder to take a step back and unplug.
Beatrix,
ReplyDeleteNice post! I also find myself as a private person. The only social media I use is a Facebook page which I do not post in very often. I have other social media accounts but I do not really use them. I'd say I'm a visitor and not a resident on those accounts. I like using the internet and tech tools for a function such as financials, shopping, or work. I just joined Twitter for this class and it is definitely a different type of experience for me connecting with someone I never met before and taking time out of my day just to chat about something random they posted on twitter. I do believe in networking and collaboration which maybe I'm a little more traditional since I like to do that in person. Great post!
Hi Beatrix,
ReplyDeleteI haven't been on your blog yet, so I just wanted to say first - LOVE your blog name/banner :) I enjoyed how you shared about needing to set time limits for social media apps. It's definitely one of the ways I like the mindlessly unplug after the work day, but it's CRAZY how fast time goes and how quickly precious minutes of our lives can be wasted. I need to find a setting on my phone where it will give me a physical shock or something, hah! Your map also made me realize I forgot to add Spotify to mine! I am a huge music person, so that's definitely an app I use literally daily. It's cool to see other people's maps and realize things I DO use often, but might have forgotten, or see differences in people's maps, it's like a little insight into their life :)
"Are we visitors at all when it seems that a lot of our internet usage is tracked and cross-matched to better suit our ads? "
ReplyDeleteThis is a great question! Data collection is so ubiquitous with online technology that we don't even remember that we are giving our consent to media companies to conduct constant surveillance on us. That fact is something we must teach--and reteach--our students. It is up to us, the so-called digital immigrants, to instill the need to take privacy seriously to those who grew up with technology. They just don't see the problem. As teachers, we can instruct and model appropriate ways to communicate, collaborate, even shop, while online. Before we do that, we need to take a look at our own practices.. How many social media accounts do we have? Who are we connecting with? How much information are we sharing? And it's very important that we draw a line between our personal and professional networks. When I was hired at LTHS, the personnel director told me to set my social media accounts to private, or eliminate them altogether. He said students will find you, and it's best to avoid any embarrassment. Let's help them draw a map for a safe digital space.
Hi Beatrix,
ReplyDeleteI really liked your post and reflection on your own digital map. It's crazy to see how technology has evolved and can reflect what is going on in our lives. I also noticed in my digital map how my usage of certain apps has changed over time depending on the day, week, or even what was going on in my life. Since COVID, technology has really changed everyone's life. Technology can now do some pretty advanced things including keeping people connected when we couldn't be together physically. However, since the world has started to open back up and we can see people safely, it's important to find time to disconnect from technology too. Additionally, I like your comment on privacy when using apps and sharing your life with social media. I think this is super important for our students to learn all about cyber safety and its importance. Great post, thank you!
Hi Beatrix,
ReplyDeleteI love your meme from The Office. It's absolutely perfect. It is a great thought to consider whether or not we can identify as visitors when ads shadow us everywhere we go. I also appreciate your candid reflection about your internet usage. FOMO is a very real thing and can certainly keep many of us on social media way longer than we should be. I also agree that connecting with people face to face is more valuable. During the pandemic, I kept up with family members through texts and social media, so I felt like I was still connecting with them. But when it came time to go to my family's 50th family reunion, I complained and felt like it was inconvenient. It wasn't until I arrived that I remembered the vital importance of in-person connections. Digital capabilities can be awesome, but I agree that we need to hold loved ones in front of us close to our hearts, and that we'll need to unplug in order to do that. Thank you so much for sharing.
It sounds as if this was an impactful experience for you which is great! We don't have to be "all or nothing" when it comes to technology- we just need to be aware.
ReplyDeleteHi Beatrix!
ReplyDeleteI also mentioned social media FOMO in my blogpost from this week. It's too real. I cut out my social media apps cold-turkey and I honestly love it. The flip side is that I'm probably out of sight out of mind from any social scene I was once connected to, but whatever. I'll socialize after I get out of grad school.. maybe.