The word ‘meta’ is used to describe something that is contained within itself. The term ‘metadata’ is then the information about other information. This is not specific to digital data, technically a table of contents in a book is data about data, but online we use metadata to encompass a lot more than an index. Though mostly helpful, sometimes the
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There is a lot of advice out there about how parents should handle their kids’ online lives. I have read articles advocating that parents should have every password for every one of their kid’s apps and check them often. I have seen people who advocate a completely hands-off approach. My philosophy lies in the middle: allow kids to develop independent lives but ensure we are
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Of all the jobs I have ever had, by far the most difficult, confusing, exhausting AND rewarding is as parent. Since it is often all consuming, it helps to be able to share the daily challenges and victories with others who can sympathize and who appreciate your pain or your pride. The term “sharenting” was created to describe the burgeoning
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The great thing about the internet is that anyone can use it, even with limited resources. The troubling thing about the internet is that anyone can use it, even with limited rules on conduct and behaviour. Your identity online should be an extension of who you are in real life. Unfortunately, when you remove the face-to-face contact, some of the
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There is something about anonymity that gives people a sense of freedom; The ability to speak freely without being judged by people we see everyday. Given the number of new networks that support anonymous participation, there is clearly a need for it. In the long run, are these networks helpful or harmful? A bit of both. Helpful: allows people to
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When you get a new job, you sign a contract. When you rent or buy a house, you sign a contract. In fact, any time two or more parties enter into an agreement with a lot of rules, it seems like a good idea to have a contract so that everyone is on the same page. Why not then create
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Time for everyone to weigh in on trends for the year. If there is one thing I have learned in this business, it’s that predicting the internet is like predicting the weather: You can use as many resources as you want to but you can only glimpse a fraction of the future, and once in a while you get hit by a
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When you look at online use statistics, you’ll see that kids under 18 are the best trend setters. The 18-34 age group are the most prevalent users. But the fastest growing demographic? Seniors, age 65 and up. This shouldn’t come as a surprise. The internet offers the same benefits to seniors as to the young: connections with people, ability to do things
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I have been wanting to write a blog on Cyberbullying for a long time but didn’t feel I had the expertise to write it. Luckily, I have colleague, and new friend, Darren Laur to help me out. Darren is currently a serving Staff Sergeant with the Victoria City Police Department, with over 27 years of law enforcement experience, and is an internationally
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Instagram is an incredibly popular free application that can be used to share photos and videos. People who use it, love it, but to people who do not use it, Instagram has a shroud of mystery. That’s because, unlike many social networks, you can’t just visit the site online and browse accounts as a non-user. You need to either have
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