Privacy, Ethics, and Security in Digital Spaces
As the online platforms increase in size and numbers, they have become our primary way to build connections with one another. However, it’s important to recognize that every post, messages, and comments we share leaves behind a trace of us visible to the world. This is why it’s essential that we actively manage our online identity, and what information about ourselves that we manage to circulate.
How I protect my information online:
| My Information | Protection |
| Account Access | use randomly generated password 2 FA |
| Third Party Apps | only grant permissions to necessary requirements. Check privacy settings |
| Web Browsing | Https only enabled |
| Account Visibility | Only to those I know in person. Keep it hidden or privated |
| IDs and Usernames | Use different usernames |
| Emails | Use multiple different email accounts |
2FA: Two Factor Authentication
- 2FA, is a log in methods that use two separate steps to verify your account identity.
- 2023 study of Microsoft Azure users found that over 99.99% of accounts using MFA remained uncompromised
Ethics
In class, we learned that ethics online can be followed by:
- respecting others
- avoiding harmful or false content
- crediting work of others
The thing that I found most important is “respecting others”. As cliché as it sounds, common courtesy and kindness seem to be lacking in online spaces. I wrote about being baffled at how people are using online spaces to attack others or casually spread hate in my earlier blog post. Respect shouldn’t disappear just because the setting is digital. Maintaining ethical behavior starts with each and every one of us choosing to treat others with the same respect we expect in return.
Challenges and Importance of Diversity in Digital Learning
Diversity of opinions is vital in creating an excellent Personalized Learning Network. Online platforms often show contents that align with your existing beliefs, or contents that you feel compelled to engage with, either due to anger or other emotions. This creates an echo chamber effect, limiting your exposure to new ideas, and chances to engage with those with different perspectives.
Creating Inclusive Digital Learning Spaces
- In this video, Natalie Dunbar, who is a Senior Manager of UX Content Strategy at Walmart talks about inclusiveness in UX (User Experience.
- Her focus is on removing barriers that exists for variety of users, with the goal of creating an accessible, equitable space.
Steps I Take to Promote Digital Inclusivity/Diversity
While I am sometimes guilty of putting myself into echo chamber, there are few things that I do to garner a rounded view. One key thing being using multiple news websites. Rather than using BBC as the main source of information, I use other sources such as AP news, Reuters, or even Japanese sources to compare how the same events are reported. Subtle differences in tone and framing are common, but the difference is particularly large when reading from entirely different language or cultural contexts. This practice helps me recognize bias that may exist, and reminds me to seek diverse sets of opinions.
When I took a course on Human Computer Interaction last semster, accessibility and inclusion were recurring themes. We studied importance of features like alt text and text to speech. Tools that make digital content usable for more people, but likely never seen by most users. That experience changed how I think about design. Now, when I try to create something, I focus on usability above all else. I imagine multiple scenarios: someone with no technical background, someone who is not a native English speaker, someone who is color blind. I try to consider many scenarios to improve usability, in order to create an experience that is intuitive and barrier-free for all.
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