SOCIAL DISTORTION

The internet feels like a safe place to be. You are in your home or a familiar environment, and physically there is nothing the internet can do to harm you (so you think.) From fake news, to cyber-security and cyber-bullying, to deep fake technology, just how safe a place is the internet these days? Can you really trust that you have not been unwittingly indoctrinated into a Q-Anon rabbit hole?  Do the people running the show still follow the same lofty altruistic goals they set out to achieve with their apps and platforms, or have they become the dark forces influencing every decision we make. The issue is that our data has become so ingrained into our identities that it can lead to disastrous results. The Internet, particularly social media, is another pit of despair. What dangers of social media do you think of first that teens tend to face? Sexting, predators, cyberbullying, emotional hardships, or worse. All are damaging, and more common than you think.  We assume that our banking site is safe, but is It? Do you shop in shady online places? Better use caution before clicking “Add to Cart,” as you might pay for a cybercriminal’s shopping spree instead.  How about your passwords? Hackers love people using simple ones or the same one for all their accounts. Easy prey for identity theft and worse! And although It might feel good to “friend” your entire hometown on Facebook, when you accept an invite request from someone you don’t know, you’re inviting malware or identity thieves into your inner circle. Nobody likes to read the fine print. That’s why when you accept a website’s Terms and Conditions without reading them, you’re unknowingly giving away your online privacy to the company and its affiliates. We’ve begun to isolate ourselves from those opposing our opinions until we’re surrounded with only people who agree with us. The theory is we become stuck in a feedback loop. Welcome to the “Confirmation-Bias” party! And speaking of parties, we must delve into the world of “influencers”, social media stars who in some cases DO LIVE THE GOOD LIFE, but in most not. Just what are they influencing, mostly a fake vision of a lifestyle that ultimately makes us feel horrible about our own.  In each episode of Social Distortion, we will take on these topics and more and try to help you navigate the currents in this digital ocean.