QUESTION 6-DIGITAL LAW

QUESTION 6

Digital Law

6.1 What is digital Socialisation?

Digital socialisation is to socialise in digital culture, to learn the ways of living online, across national borders, local cultures and societies. (Thomas, 2017)

How can social media change communities and their practices and tradition?

      Easy Access to information: Internet has made it very easy to get relevant information anytime and anywhere, and users with gadgets such as tablets and phones also have easy access to information because they use the Internet. This is convenient for South Africans as they can get updates on current news affairs on apps such as News24.

      Encourages innovation and creativity: While technology may be challenging to understand and sometimes use, it sparks the brain to work to its full potential. Technology has helped people establish their own businesses, which essentially contribute the South Africa’s economy and may aid in job creation. (Thomas, 2017)

      Improved communication: Modern technology has broadened the channels used in communication (for example video chat or electronic mail), and South Africans can communicate with friends and family overseas or even have meetings over Skype.

      Efficiency and productivity: Modern technology has helped South African businesses in increasing their production through automation. The consistency and accuracy of machinery during the production phase also results in increased productivity. (Thomas, 2017)

      Convenience in Education Modern technology has made in much easier for students to learn from anywhere through online education. In 2015, the South African government issued iPads to matric learners in order to enhance their learning experience.

Social Networking Modern technology has made it easier to form new relationships and to stay in touch. For communities, it is easy for the community to stay in contact with each other by using social technologies. (Thomas, 2017)

6.2 What ethical issues could arise as a result of digital socialisation?

Cyberbullying- This in general means individuals make use of mobile phones and/ or social media to torment their targets, the people might start abusing their digital powers and exercise cyberbullying.(Quetta, 2014)

Hacking- Gaining unauthorized access to data in a system or computer and this might as well be easy to citizens when the start to socialise digitally.

Security-Hackers have found it very easy to hack into any computer/system (as long as it is connected to the internet).Quetta, 2014)

Privacy Issues-There are many ways our privacy is exploited. (Use of internet webcams)Some companies are known for spying on their employees via social networks

Censorship and Lack of Human Interaction- Any act that is well thought-out as a threat to security, people who are digitally socialising will always have censorship cases across the world.

Illegal downloads- If people have access to digital socialisation, there will be an increase in the download of illegal and unaccepted downloads. This might even affect the coming generations wherein children make use of social media to engage in harmful and unacceptable behaviours such as the downloads of adult contents.Quetta, 2014)

 Behaviour- With immediate access to information and communication, our behaviour has changed to accommodate it. Where before our focus would be on one or two things, multitasking has taken over with people checking their mail, listening to music, catching up on news or even chatting with others and many more .