Is Online Community Interaction Liberating or Oppressive - Coursework Example

Digital Media Communications Is online community interaction liberating or oppressive? Colvin, Chenoweth, Bold and Harding (2004) argue internet has transformed the way individuals interact with one another. There are two different perspectives on this topic, with some arguing that online interaction can be a form of liberation, while others put forth arguments against interaction online. According to Hwang (2004), research finds that online interaction fulfils important interaction needs for humans. In fact, some found online interaction to be more effective than interaction through the telephone, or even through face to face communication. Similarly, Chamberlain (2007) believes that although online community interaction has its drawbacks, the benefits still outweigh the disadvantages. Some of the ways in which online interaction can be liberating, is that it helps overcome the hindrances people feel when interacting face to face. The fact that people can not see each other through online interaction means that those who might otherwise feel hesitation in bringing up sensitive topics might not feel so awkward when doing so online. This is a form of liberation as it frees people from the bounds of face to face interaction, allowing the expression of conversations and opinions that might not otherwise be expressed. Norms, rules and taboos that would otherwise apply are not followed and do not have to be followed, in many regards and this means that online interaction can enhance and further fill the gap for conversations and topics that are not touched upon in other forms of interaction. This in turn implies increased and better interaction among people. Furthermore, as Batson (1995) argues, online communication means that the importance given to appearances in face to face interaction is no longer there. Those who might otherwise be criticized, judged or marginalized are not done so online and can find refuge in communicating online. Furthermore, those who cannot speak fluently or are not very good at articulating themselves and expressing their views clearly can seek the support of an alternate source of communication. On the other hand, there are strong arguments that are in support of the fact that online community interaction is deterrent to effective communication and can be seen as ‘oppressing’ society. Shoman (2006) when talking about emails as a form of communication argues that the prime problem that it causes is invasion of privacy, that is, the fact that while being sent, the email passes through so many different computers before reaching the intended receiver. This invasion is seen in direct contradiction to the liberation that is talked about when referring to online communication. Another major disadvantage of online communication, when compared with interaction that takes place face to face is the large and varied misunderstandings that it causes. The fact that body language can not aid communication, and since there is no tone, online communication can cause confusion in terms of what was meant to be communicated and with what intention the sender sent the message. Perhaps one of the biggest reasons why online communication is considered oppressive is because of the negative impact it has on face to face communication. Since people become so used to communication that does not involve real life communication, it can and a lot of times does hinder the way individuals interact with one another. Reading and interpreting body language, using appropriate tone while communicating and being able to converse smoothly and effectively are just a few areas that are compromised since one becomes so used to a kind of communication where one is not being seen. Confidence levels too can be impacted; it is observed that a lot of people become comfortable communicating with others online, and when the time comes to interact. Theirer (2008) discusses the approach of those who see interaction between people based on the internet in a negative light, and those who see online interaction in a more positive light. He uses the terms ‘internet pessimist’ and ‘internet optimist’ to describe the above two categories. Internet pessimists discuss the disruptive effects the internet is having on humans while internet optimism talks about the enriching and life changing effects of internet on humans. The conclusion we can perhaps reach from this discussion is that the outcome of a particular method of communication will depend on how it is used. There is nothing that is without disadvantages and that is true for online communication as well. The advantages and disadvantages both depend on how this mode of communication is used. Furthermore, another important aspect that should be looked at is the fact that ‘online communication’ includes a number of different and varied forms of communication each with their own merits and drawbacks and thus it would be wrong to lump them in the same category when analyzing them. Anonymity and abuse on the internet. Anonymity refers to identity – to be anonymous would mean being unacknowledged or unidentified. Before discussing the ways in which anonymity on the internet is used in a negative way and as a method to abuse and harass others, we must first acknowledge that it is also a characteristic of online communication that can be considered beneficial and even necessary. Karina (1995) argues that despite the problems anonymity provides, the right to freedom of speech must still remain intact. There are many topics that can not be discussed so openly during face to face interaction; these could include discussions on race or maybe sexual abuse perhaps. Anonymity gives a safe cover; it allows such discussions to surface because the fear of being judged or criticized is not there. This is why many people argue that communication through the internet leads to liberation as it supports freedom of speech – people are allowed to speak their mind. This does not mean however, that we overlook the disadvantages of anonymity and how this impacts those who are the victim of this. The deficiency or the lacking of being accountable on behalf of the individuals who curse the internet is perhaps the most visible disadvantage of anonymity. Those indulging in these abusive and sometimes even illegal activities know that there is no possible way to track their true identity. Such a realization makes people bold and is a huge encouragement to indulge in activities they would never have taken part in had their identity been known. The kind of illegal and abusive activities could include hacking into other people’s accounts, sending abusive emails as well as posting insulting and offensive comments on posts and blogs. More serious abuses include use of internet for terrorist purposes, hence the name ‘cyber terrorism’ where internet is an aid to conducting terrorist activities. The anonymity allowed is a perfect way for terrorists to communicate with each other without getting caught. Thus anonymity not only facilitates such crimes but it also makes the work of investigators that much harder. As Clay (2005) argues, there is increasing vulnerability for computer systems against a cyber attack. Also, the perpetrators of these attacks have never been caught, precisely because of the anonymity that is granted to them through the internet. Such abuse of anonymity on the internet which has clashed with the protection of rights of other users of internet has resulted in some governments keeping a tighter control on internet use. The need for greater regulation is seen as necessary to curb the kind of activities that can be conducted under the guise of anonymity. This has sparked heated debates with some agreeing to the increased control of governments of the kind of activities permitted on the internet, with others arguing that this is in direct contradiction with the ‘freedom of speech’ professed as the key component of internet use. Thus, as Rowland (2003) explains, the problem is the need to fulfill both individual rights of citizens as well as uphold the principle of ‘freedom of expression’. While simultaneously trying to do both, at least one of the two is compromised. However, Rowland (2003) argues that a ‘balance’ should be struck between the benefits of anonymity and its potential drawbacks. Corporate blogging Blogs are published on websites, depicting the views and opinions of those who have posted on those blogs. A corporate blog is normally published by a company or an organization with a view of reaching that company’s goals. Corporate blogs can be both internal and external. Internal blogs have the purpose of being a source of information for those working in the organization. External blogs serve the purpose of strengthening external stakeholders of the business and keeping them up to date with the recent endeavors of the business. A key aspect of a blog is that the style in which it is written is informal – it is not like journalism. The objective of writing a blog is not to be objective but rather to be subjective and opinionated. Thus the corporate blog is meant to bring out the voices of those working in the organization. There are specific reasons why corporations would want to use blogs. One reason is effective communication with customers. For some businesses, especially those dealing in the service sector, serving customer needs and reacting appropriately to their demands or any complaints and criticisms they may have, is extremely important. Thus, corporate blogs serve the purpose as a channel through which such interaction between the company and its customers can be established. According to Warren (2005), if you are able to successfully use your corporate blog to your advantage, it could bring huge benefits to your company in the form of increased popularity, more customers and increased sales. The important thing to note is to use passion when posting on these blogs. By selling your product redundantly, a company would bore viewers which would serve as a disincentive to return to the blog. By being passionate, however, the company is able to connect with its stakeholders and is able to convince others to see the value in its business too. Similarly, the blog can be used as a place to test new ideas for products and services that the company may be planning on launching – views and opinions expressed in the blog can be a way of gauging customer reaction to the new idea. Another important fact to remember about corporate blogging is to encourage employees to post on the blog; employees form the backbone of any organization and it is important to keep them involved in this. It is the perfect way to successfully market your company. However, it is important that rules are set regarding what kind of information employees can write on their posts and what they cannot. It should be made sure that critical information dealing with the company is not divulged by employees through these posts. Also, a lot of times when blogs are misused, it is companies that are held responsible for the actions of their employees, hence it is really important that clearly defined rules and boundaries are set with regards to what sort of posts are allowed and which type are not, what sort of language is to be used and how disagreements are to be dealt with on these blogs. Now that the ways that blogs can be improved and used effectively have been discussed, we can now talk about how and in what ways blogs can fail. There are quite a few reasons why corporate blogs fail to achieve the purpose they started, as Johansmeyer (2010) identifies. One of these is the fact that corporate blogging is not as easy as it seems. The posts that are put up on the blog have to be such that people have a reason to visit the blog, read the posts and comment on them. Thus, there is a need for innovation and creativity, two things without which blogs can not be successful. Secondly, it is not enough to simply leave blogging up to everyone – a specific person needs to be given the task of managing the blog and updating it frequently. Furthermore, it should be made sure that the content that is written is such that it makes people want to visit the blog again; if a company tries to sell its product or service too much on the corporate blog, it might serve as a disincentive for people to visit it again. References Chamberlain, Craig (2007) Benefits of online interaction for teens outweigh danger. News Bureau, Illinois. Available from [Accessed 19 April 2010] Day, M. & Batson, T. (1995) The network-based writing classroom: The ENFI idea. In Z. L Berge & M. Collins (Eds.). Computer mediated communication and the online classroom. (Vol. 2 : Higher Education) (pp. 25-46). Cresskill, NJ: Hampton Press. Hwang, HaSung (2004) Why We Should be Concerned About Online Interaction: An evaluation of research on uses and consequences of the Internet" Paper presented at the annual meeting of the International Communication Association, New Orleans Sheraton, New Orleans, LA. Johansmeyer, Tom (2010). Five Reasons Why Corporate Blogs Fail. Available from [Accessed 19 April 2010] Rowland, Diane. (2003) Privacy, freedom of expression and CyberSLAPPS: fostering anonymity on the Internet? University of Wales, Aberystwyth, 18th BILETA Conference: Controlling Information in the Online Environment, QMW, London Shoman, Jordi (2010). Advantages and Disadvantages of Email. Advantages and Disadvantages of Email. 13 Jul. 2006 EzineArticles.com. [Accessed 19 April 2010] Thierer, Adam.(2008). Grouping Recent Net Books: Internet Optimists vs. Pessimists. Avilable from [Accessed 19 April 2010] Wilson, Clay (2005). Computer Attack and Cyber terrorism: Vulnerabilities and Policy Issues for Congress. CRS Report for Congress received through the CRS Web. Harding, Cheryl et al. Caregivers of Older Adults: Advantages and Disadvantages of Internet-Based Social Support. Family Relations, Vol. 53, No. 1 (Jan., 2004), pp. 49-57. Published by: National Council on Family Relations Rigby, Karina. (1995). Anonymity on the Internet Must be Protected. Paper for MIT: Ethics and Law on the Electronic Frontier, Fall 1995. Read More