Week 8

Distracted driving is not a new phenomena. There have been cases of people putting on make-up while they drive, people eating while they drive and many other silly things. Cell phones have increased distracted driving and the results are chilling. There have been so many accidents because of people using their cell phones while driving. In one of the examples in our module, Courtney Sanford wanted to post to Facebook that a song made her happy. She decided that this was a great thing to post while she was driving. That decision cost her her life. A 32 year old woman died because she was trying to post to Facebook. It is just not worth it. My cell phone company has an app called Drive Mode. I have to turn it on, but if I do, my phone will sense when I'm driving and if someone calls or texts me while I'm driving, my phone will answer them with either a voice saying I'm driving and I'll call them back when I'm parked if they've called or a text saying the same thing if they have texted me. I used to have it turned on and it helped me to get out of the habit of looking at my phone while driving. Now, if it rings or I get any kind of notification, I just ignore it until I've parked. Nothing is so important that I need to look at it while I'm trying to drive my car.
Something else that I thought was interesting in this module was the information about screen time and kids. My husband are in a constant battle with our thirteen year old about screen time. I loved the suggestions as part of the AAP Media Plan. I do think it is good to model good behavior. My husband and I do not use screens during dinner and we do not allow any devices at the table. I think this helps to show our son what is expected.

Week Seven

It is awesome to see examples of the positive aspects of social media. When I think how much our world has changed since social media became popular, it really amazes me. I don't even think about it much any more but my local school announces school closings through Facebook and Twitter, I see breaking news on Facebook and use it to find out about new businesses. It just seems normal, it is an every day part of my life. I've witnessed and participated in GoFundMe campaigns. I used Yahoo Personals to meet my husband. Yahoo Personals doesn't exist anymore (we've been married for ten years) but many other such sites have been the beginning of great relationships. It is also great to see Crowdsourcing. When a group of people can get together from anywhere in the world and solve crimes or participate in research, it is truly amazing. I have also seen evidence of slacktivism. One of my personal pet peeves is the Facebook "game" where some well-meaning woman sends a Facebook message encouraging the participation in the "game". You are supposed to post some provocative message on Facebook and somehow this helps breast cancer research. The message says to keep the reason for the Facebook post secret. How then is it supposed to help anything? I've never really understood this. The message claims this whole thing got national media attention.
Below is the message that was sent to me. You can also see my response. This is slactivism at it's worst:

Hi beautiful ladies so here it is the time of year again when we try to raise awareness of breast cancer through a game. Its very easy and i would like all of you to participate. Last year we had to write the colour of our bra's on our status. Men wondered for days what was going on with random colors on status's. This year we make reference to our love life status as a flavor. Do not answer to this message just post corresponding word on your status and send this message privately to all the girls on your friends list. Blueberry - single Pineapple - its complicated Raspberry - I dont want to commit Apple - engaged Cherry - in a relationship Banana - married Avacado - I'm the better half Strawberry - can't find Mr. Right Lemon -I want to be single Raisin - I want to get married to my partner. Last time the bra game was mentioned on t.v let's see if we can get there with this one. Please resend this to all your girly friends then update your status with your answer ONLY! DONT TELL ANY GUYS!

Heather

This does nothing for breast cancer awareness.

Nothing