‘Social Contributions’

The New Facebook

Facebook has done it again and once more the users are not only confused but also a little disgruntled about this modification. Facebook has once again changed its entire layout, adding and removing certain features to provide the user with a more interactive social interface.

The new layout was launched on Tuesday night, 20 September 2011, with most alterations involving the ‘news feed’. The main motive behind the change is to provide users with the peace of mind that none of the important updates on their feeds will go by unnoticed. Whether you are a frequent Facebook user or someone who just pops in every other day, you are guaranteed to have the benefit of knowing exactly what’s going on in your friends’ lives.

Facebook Introduces a Real Time Feed, aka the Ticker

At the top right-hand side corner of your Facebook interface you will now be able to see real time feeds showing you what your friends are up to by the second, whether it’s writing something on your wall or commenting on an old photo. Furthermore, you can interact and chat in real time and experience a more comprehensive relationship.

Photo galleries are now also displayed more aesthetically on your profile page. The strategy behind this change is to make the photos more visible and plainly put more alluring to look at.

For a bit more in-depth understanding of all the new changes brought to the Facebook layout, simply watch this video below by Naomi, a Facebook employee.

Go check out your Facebook!

Two persons were arrested and jailed four years each for inciting the recent UK riots which have left several buildings and vehicles damaged as well as numerous people dead. They apparently used the Social Media giant, Facebook to create posts for stirring an uprising in London about the killing of a young man by police.

It would be easy to condemn them and applaud the authorities for taking swift action, but even though they have certainly been guilty of creating chaos and causing large scale disruption and injuries because of their Facebook posts, the usage of Blackberry phones and Twitter to distribute false messages and thereby creating complete panic throughout the UK, must also be taken seriously.

Governments Want Control Over Social Media

Perhaps even more disturbing than the usage of Twitter, Facebook, and Blackberry as social media tools to create such uproar is the reaction by governments. The British Prime Minister David Cameron told the UK parliament that they may need to consider means for stopping the usage of social media tools by suspected perpetrators of violence and crime. Not only the UK government, but also the countries in the Middle East want more control over the usage of social media networks and tools.

The UAE and Saudi Arabia have expressed concern about the power of social media and from October 2011, some tools available in Blackberry will be on the ban list in the UAE. The sending of messages and accessing the Internet with Blackberry will for instance be banned in the UAE.

What Makes Blackberry So Powerful As Social Media Tool?

Unlike Facebook and Twitter where messages can be public, the PIN associated with Blackberry ensures that messages stay private through encryption. This means that Big Brother cannot access private conversations amongst BBM users.

With Blackberry being cheaper than smart phones such as Android based handsets, more than 36% of the UK youth has Blackberry and thus access to completely private means of communication. It should not be a problem, but with Egypt brought to its knees through the usage of social media to stir protest action against the government, China already on the receiving end of the power of Facebook, and the Middle East fearful of losing control, one can appreciate the disruptive power of Blackberry. Governments want to have access to messages which can be used to stir the crowds into action, but with the encrypted Blackberry messages they can only speculate. There is no audit trail to follow unless the government authorities can get the PINs, but such would only be possible by court order.

Twitter, Facebook & Blackberry Become Social Media Scapegoats

To make Blackberry, Twitter, and Facebook the culprits is wrong. Although the social media tools encourage communication and are potentially dangerous weapons in the hands of terrorists, the applications have also been used to create awareness of legitimate causes. Although the Internet is filled with child pornography and has opened a whole new world of crime, it is also an essential tool for communication and information retrieval. The same applies for telephones. If one is to use telephones to create a stir, the governments will not be able to ban all phone calls. The postage system cannot be shut down if a terrorist organisation uses it to distribute letters calling for the overthrow of a government. In the same sense then, the social media network tools cannot be blamed or banned, and nor should the governments invade the privacy of the users.

Governments Use Social Media Such As Flickr

The UK government used Flickr to post photos of the people participating and stirring the London riots and did not consider privacy issues when they did so. One has to dig deeper. Governments are concerned with the power that social media gives to users. Instead of the governments being in control of the media and usage thereof to create the desired image and control over the masses, the people have realised that they have the power of communication. With such then, governments become more accountable to their citizens and it must be a scary thought.

Legitimate Concern Of Governments Regarding Power Of Blackberry, Facebook & Twitter

At the other end of the spectrum one must appreciate the concern regarding such tools and how easily Twitter became a tool for sending false messages and thus creating panic. Some form of control may be needed, but it does make a person uneasy to think that someone is viewing your messages and if they don’t like how you express yourself, you may land up in jail.

Facebook Exerts Control Over Some Sites

Facebook blocked a site earlier this year and came out to say that it was done by error. Some journalists and users don’t believe it since the site was blocked, unblocked upon investigation by a journalist and then blocked immediately after. Every user who tried to access the site received the same message of site blocked. In addition, all links to the site and any articles about the incident were also blocked. The site was about the June strike and promoted a peaceful action, but some speculate that Facebook was not too happy about such and thus not impartial. When it was used in the toppling of the Egyptian government, management was quite happy with the role of Facebook, but closer to home and their attitude may have changed. Users have expressed concern with the partiality displayed by the social media giant.

Is Social Media Too Powerful?

It begs the question of whether social media tools have become powerful communication tools or instruments of potential war. Another question raised by the London riots is whether Blackberry should open up its messages for investigation to ensure protection for governments and citizens. It does seem reasonable, but who determines the potential danger to the stability of a country? In some Middle Eastern countries even mentioning concern with fuel price hikes can land one in deep water and as such encrypted Blackberry messages protect freedom of speech.

If governments, such as the UK government, are allowed more control over social media such as Twitter, Facebook and Blackberry, the very next step may be government manipulation of emails, the Internet and then also landlines, wireless networks and not too long, and the whole world succumbs to dictatorship while the freedom of speech principle takes a backseat.

Many a times emails go around in which there is a desperate cry for help. While many of these are nothing more than spam which are quickly moved to the bin and forgotten, there was however one that grabbed the attention of one of our iLead co-workers. What quickly ensued was a mission to purchase a few much needed items and a trip to Rustenburg, a mining city located in the North West Province of South Africa.

 

The entrance at the Môrester Shelter is colourful and pleasant, and right next to a bright yellow star there is a message written: “Let all the children come to me”. This is the feeling you get when you walk in at the gate. While we visited Môrester late Saturday afternoon the older children were playing outside. They are quick to notice visitors and while at first a little shy, it doesn’t take long before they warm up to you. Standing in the middle of all the action was the daughter of the shelter’s matron, Antonette Christian, who came forward to greet us. With her friendly and welcoming demeanour she led us on a little tour through the shelter.

The house is very neat, especially if you consider that there are over 30 children staying here, and there are photos and quotes from the Bible everywhere you look. The house is as colourful, bright and happy as the children’s personalities and the various age groups share a room. The older girls’ room is adorned with Bratz and flowers, while the older boys’ room is blue. The group of adorable 1 – 2 year olds were already dressed in their pyjamas and running around in the living room. Finally we were taken to the babies’ room. There are currently 15 babies up to the age of 12months. During the course of last week Môrester also welcomed a new baby boy who was brought to the shelter when he was only 4 hours old.

After we had signed the registry we were getting ready to head back home, but not before our camera worked its way through the little hands that were so eager to take photos. The results may have been a bit blurry, but the excitement was enduring. Saying goodbye was tough though, but upon leaving the Môrester Shelter you realise that these children who were once abandoned are now blessed with more than just a shelter, but that they have been given a second chance at life in this loving home.