Looking back at 2015, it was a busy year for Social Media. Though we had lots of competitors vying to be the new ‘it’ network, the top 7 are still the most popular: Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Instagram, YouTube and Google+. Some apps, like Snapchat and Vine, have gained popularity with the younger generations, but do not have the mass
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If I had asked you to connect to the ‘internet’ a few years ago, you would have opened a browser window on your computer or handheld device. Today we can connect to the internet using any number of devices from wearables (e.g. FitBits) to thermostats to kitchen refrigerators. Collectively all these devices and connections are known as the Internet of
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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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Every time you go online you add to your digital footprint, or binary tattoo. The information collected is made up of what you enter online (likes, comments, posts), your behaviour (what sites you visit, how you interact with them) and what inferences companies can make based on the first two pieces of data. This data is used to target ads and make marketing decisions.
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Earlier this year I had the privilege of visiting Disney World in Orlando with my family – or maybe the word ‘privilege’ depends on how much I like to stand in long lines. Either way, we booked our hotel and plane tickets two months in advance. For other trips, we’d probably be done until departure, but not Disney. Shortly after booking I
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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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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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If you are like me, you have more online accounts and passwords than you can possibly remember. Every website seems to require a login. When you find yourself needing to sign up for the 59th time, it can be quite exhilarating to be offered the ability to sign on using Facebook, LinkedIn or another network you already have. This seems perfect!
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