Topic 1 : Explain the concept of digital “visitors” and “residents” drawing upon your reading and your own online experiences to date in support of the points that you make.
So when this question was posted to us, I set out on some research and went through the material being posted for us on the various debates and information on these concepts. In summary, there have been various researchers who have classified the world into different categories. In 2001, Prensky classified two main categories which would be natives and digital immigrants. Many argue that his theory is wrong and it does not apply to the digital world. I do believe in 2001, this concept was very applicable at the time to describe the changes to our world and to help describe what people were noticing around them.
As the advancement of technology progressed over the past 13 years, we see a leap in changes from everyday tasks to lifestyle changes. The concept of digital “visitors” and “residents” emerged to meet the changes that what I feel have shaped our world. A brief description on what this concept is trying to describe is basically if you are a “visitor”,You will go online to complete certain tasks and go offline after. So a person who applies a “visitor” concept would see the digital world as a place for them to gain certain information or as a tool for them to achieve certain objectives and complete certain tasks. A person who falls more in the category of “residents” tends to live an online life. They see the internet as part of an extension of their lives and also as a form of their identity.
When I was going through this information, What stuck me as the main difference between these two groups was the level of comfort and trust they have with the digital age. Check out this video :
This advertisement was an interesting way of showing us how much of our information can be easily viewed online, and I found that maybe the reason why people were in the “visitor” side of this equation was because they are aware of these risks and are too uncomfortable by the low level of privacy. On the other end of the table, are those who are “residents” unaware of the potential privacy loss they face or are they so comfortable with the digital world they are blindsided to the realities of it? I would love to hear your take on this!
Another short clip worth watching on Social Media
Reference List :
Anon, TALL blog » Blog Archive » Not “Natives” & “Immigrants” but “Visitors” & “Residents.” Available at: http://tallblog.conted.ox.ac.uk/index.php/2008/07/23/not-natives-immigrants-but-visitors-residents/ [Accessed November 27, 2014].
White, D.S. & Cornu, A. Le, 2011. Visitors and Residents: A new typology for online engagement. First Monday, 16(9). Available at: http://firstmonday.org/ojs/index.php/fm/article/view/3171/3049 [Accessed November 27, 2014].
The thoughts of Mr Ebra 
Hello Mr Ebra,
I like the way you bring out and talk about the reason why people could be classified under ‘Visitor’. I must agree with your findings and the video you supported. This has brought to my attention as I recall about what my mother always say “Please try not to purchase goods online because you never know when and how you will be cheated. Phishing sites may be after credit card or bank account details for immediate financial gains.” This can be further substantiated with the incident that happened in Singapore with relations to DBS (local financial instituition) ATM breach in 2012. Bank officials declared that there was a security breach causing fraudulent withdrawals. This is obviously due to technology and security management of the organisation. Even banks, supposedly a trustworthy source now creates questionable critiques and probable challenges with their bank subscribers. Therefore, with such technology risks due to advancement and improvisation, Digital ‘Visitor’ mostly the older generations such as Baby Boomers and Generation X choose to keep to their norms and traditions. They rather purchase products at a physical shop which allows them to do a proper transactions than going online even if for convenience sake.
On the other hand, to answer the second part of your discussion, I believe if we are talking about Digital ‘Residents’, most of the percentage will be covered by the millennials and Generation Z; because research has shown 75% creates a profile on a social networking site, 20% post a video of themselves online and even 80% sleeping with their cell phone next to the bed (U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, 2014). These characteristics depicts just like any Resident. Well… I believe that they are aware of the potential risks but they choose not to be bothered because the ugly truth has yet to be told especially for the late millennials and Generation Z. They are still young and naive. Just like how we all used to be rebellious and stubborn during our teen years.
Lastly, I do feel that your basis of judgement should not solely be based on because Digital ‘Residents’ mean that they spend most of their time online, thus, they are unaware or privacy risks and comfortable with the digital world. From my research and findings, Digital Resident doesn’t mean they are at the other end of the spectrum because the Digital Resident and Visitor can co-exist. They may be active online for certain context and situations but these Residents may be Visitors in other situations.
References:
Lur, X. 2012. Yahoo Newsroom. ATM Breach cause of fraudulent withdrawals: DBS. Available at:
https://sg.news.yahoo.com/posb–dbs-investigate-rash-of-fraudulent-withdrawals.html [Accessed 28 November 2014]
U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation. 2014. The Millennial Generation Research Review. Available at: http://www.uschamberfoundation.org/millennial-generation-research-review [Accessed 28 November 2014]
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Wassup Mr. Ebra! The video you posted on the advertisement is really like a nightmare come true. In the past when I was still relatively new to the digital world, I was a short-term “resident” by posting my blog posts and social media accounts online (remember Friendster?) It was fun, comfortable and you felt free to express whatever you want to say online, what are you currently doing, eating, drinking to many people. I guess it was the feeling of satisfaction that some people know you exist online. Afterwards, I faced some ‘consequences’ similar to the video you posted, though much less alarming than the clip, but it was sort of a wake-up-call to me that we indeed have to be wary with what we post online, as it might be used against us. In my views, I suppose some people are just plain unaware to what kind of threats that can be posed upon them by revealing personal information just to anyone out there (just like how I was in the past…) Sometimes we have this thought like “Nah, it won’t happen to me.” or “I say what I want, I don’t care what people think of me.” It could either be that you’re too comfortable with the digital world, or just plain ignorant to the digital threats, or worse, both. Thanks for sharing your post! Enjoyed it~
xoxo,
/ novina ✿ ladyskorpios /
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That was an engaging post Ebra! Many of us do not realize that where we perceive ourselves to be in the Visitor-Resident continuum does play a role in our vulnerabilities online. Again, there may be arguments on whether one being a “visitor” may not be as vulnerable as a “resident” as he does not reveal his identity online. It may be the otherwise where a “resident”, being more exposed to such possible occurrences is more wary of their engagement online. Therefore, it would be quite difficult to make a stand on whether one’s vulnerability is wholly dependent on their engagement online.
What would be a better measure would be their cyber security awareness! If one is aware of cyber security, he may be a “resident” and engage responsibly online. Even as a “visitor”, should you not be aware of cyber security, you would still be as vulnerable as a “resident”!
References:
Micro, T., 2012. Are you safe online? Trend Micro. Available at: http://blog.trendmicro.com/trendlabs-security-intelligence/infographic-are-you-safe-online/ [Accessed November 28, 2014].
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