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The 21St Century Is Often Referred To As The Digital Age.

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The 21st century is often referred to as the digital age. Former ways of communicating ideas and communicating with each other are becoming obsolete as cyber culture takes over. For many of us the use of new technologies and social media sites have changed our way of life and has shaped how others view us on online platforms. Many view mass media and digital culture as a brilliant and successful phenomenon as it’s a product of the development of technology however to what extent is it impacting our lives and how we view the world, ourselves, and others?

Letter writing is a method of communication that people have been using since 500 BC. Originally, they were closed with a wax or hand seal which had to be paid for when receiving it and …show more content…

Other medians and ‘apps’ such as Facetime and Skype even allows us to feel as if we are present with the people we are communicating with. For many communicating with someone digitally is becoming so instant that it can sometimes feel as though you’re with them – almost replacing physical contact.

Due to this easy access to a digital platform and worldwide audience, many see this as an opportunity for sharing ideas, thoughts, beliefs and practising freedom of speech. For many this is a great opportunity to reach out and connect with people from across the globe through their online ‘profiles’. Some people find that a digital voice or message has a greater effect than a literal voice thus boosting people’s confidence in sharing things with others online. Although this can be viewed as a positive way of allowing someone to communicate their thoughts with others, some individuals take this opportunity of being hidden behind a screen to spread hateful, rude and disrespectful comments with others on the worldwide web. These individuals, often referred to as ‘trolls’ will often mock, threaten, and sometimes blackmail others using their online profiles. Jonathan Bishop claims that “trolling in general is the posting of messages via a communications network that are intended to be provocative, offensive or menacing”. (Bishop, 2013, p28)
Many see this as only pathetic and harmless due to it all being kept in the digital world but for many there as serious

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