By Leland Pulley/Sarah Gentili
Today almost everyone has access to the Internet, but not everyone understands what it is. Fundamentally the Internet, also referred to as the Information Highway, is all about data sharing. For example, when you go onto Google and use their search features, the Internet provides you with information that you want or are looking for. At the same time information is being gathered about you, or what you want and what you are doing. This information can be stored and sometimes sold to third parties. As a whole, like all other technology, the Internet is neither good nor bad. It depends on how it is used.
One area of the Internet that most people do not pay much attention to and do not fully understand is the Internet of Things. This is made-up of devices that are connected within your environment using Wi-Fi and 5 or 6G technologies. This can be anything from your coffee maker to your smart TV. For example, when you walk outside, your cell phone will switch automatically from your home Wi-Fi to your cell phone services 5G so you can remain connected.
There are many everyday devices that connect to the Internet of Things. Virtual assistants like Alexa and Google Assistant have become vital for the day-to-day life of many people. These virtual assistants do everything from managing appointments in a calendar, to sending emails and text messages, to keeping a grocery list. Often these virtual assistants can be connected to mobile devices like cell phones and tablets. They can also be connected to your laptop or PC (personal computer). Desktops and laptops are often used for work, school, and entertainment. They often have much faster processors and better graphics. Tablets and cell phones range from very basic to extremely powerful devices. For example, some cell phones offer better photography and video features then dedicated cameras do. Cell phones also give you the option to download specific apps. Some of these apps are used to connect to the Internet of Things. For example, as part of the Internet of Things you can download an app that controls the lights, the thermostat, and the rooms inside your house.
One convenience for parents is the share location feature offered on the I phone. For kids using the family account, you can see the location of your child while he or she is away from home. Even adults who willingly connect to each other through their phones, can track a family member travelling from out of town to visit you.
Another common household item is a gaming system. Video games have been around since the 1970s, and are not only a pastime for teenagers today, but for many adults. There are many types of video games and video game services that a person can enjoy. There are three major gaming companies that put out their own games and their own consoles. The Xbox and PlayStation often have games with high end graphics and complex storylines that can last for days. The other major gaming company is Nintendo. Nintendo games are often family friendly, kids centered, or educational. They have two different devices, the Nintendo and the Nintendo switch. The Nintendo switch is a handheld device.
Wearables are becoming very popular with people today. Wearable technology can include anything from the smart watch that connects to an app on your phone and monitors your health, to Bluetooth earphones that can connect to your cell phone, tablet, or computer. Another example of wearable technology are healthcare devices. For example, if you are a diabetic, you can use a device attached to your body that sends signals or data readings to our cell phone or to a small portable receiver carried in your pocket or purse. At home it uses the Wi-Fi in your house and outside the house it uses cell tower wireless. You also can use things like air tags that you can connect to luggage, keys, or laptops. An air tag is like a GPS tracker that allows you to find items if they are lost or misplaced, by using an app on your cell phone.
All of these things show how connected we have become to the technology devices in the world today. While technology, as I said before, is neither good nor bad, it is important to remember to have a balance while using these devices. It could become easy to get lost in these devices and lose track of the important things in life. Many people will set aside time where they disconnect from at least some of the devices they commonly use, and focus more on family, friends, or having some time to themselves.
One common scenario we should look at is how we use these devices for work. Some of us have a job where we physically go into an office location. Others have the option to do hybrid work, where some days we are working from home and some days we are in the office. Even if we go into a physical office, many of us have the habit of bringing work home with us in order to meet deadlines and get things done. It is important to understand how the devices in our home interact with the devices we use for work. As I said before, everything is connected. If you do work from home, then you need to keep in mind how to keep things secure. Often when we work from home, we use a VPN (virtual private network) to securely connect to our work server. Sometimes connecting through this VPN requires a faster speed Internet and more expensive modem. This allows us to access documents, work on team projects, have zoom calls, and do video conferencing in a secure manner.
If we are working from home, it is important to understand there is a certain amount of connectivity that happens between the devices in our home network and our work devices. This is why a VPN is important because it allows you to have that extra layer of security. This way you have the other devices in your home like your kid’s game system or the family computer not exposed to unwanted things and your work is secure.
Another common scenario we should look at is schooling. Today’s schooling is very different from what it was even 10 years ago. Now everything is available electronically. Many schools offer tablets to students, especially in the upper grades. Others will provide students with secure login and password information so that they can log in from their home devices. Everything for the student is available in electronic form. Textbooks, research, and library materials are available through a website monitored through the school. Often classrooms can have a group page on the website. On this classroom page students can see the syllabus and look at their grades and pull up assignments to study for tests. Some schools even include messaging and chat features so the students can socialize amongst themselves.
While I said before none of these technologies are inherently good or bad. The behavior of some people online and using these devices can be bad. Since there is no way to completely shelter yourself from all of these different technologies in the world today, it is important to understand that you can filter some of the negative things associated with this technology. For example, all the devices I listed above offer some form of parental controls. These controls are necessary because some people abuse this technology. With parental controls you are able to establish things like a rating system in the movies. Likewise, if your child needs access to the Internet for school and assignments, you can filter the content using content controls. These contact controls allow you to determine what kind of information and sites can be accessed. It can also inform you when your child tries to go around these controls and limits.
Understanding how all these technologies work can be daunting. However, it is important to have a fundamental knowledge of how these things operate because as society and innovation progress, you and your child are going to be exposed to more and more technology like this. It is also important to understand the dangers posed by people who use this technology to take advantage of others. One concern if you have children, is cyber bullying. This can be anything from posting embarrassing videos of your child online to spreading rumors and gossip about them. These types of events can have serious detrimental effects on your child and can often go on for weeks or months before adults find out.
Because everything is connected, these devices can be used not only to bully and harass people, but for criminal activity. Property and identity theft, as well as malware spyware and malicious viruses, are all real everyday threats.
There are many resources available for you to learn more about how these technologies work. Understand what you can do to monitor what your child is doing. Learn to protect yourself and your kids from the dark side of the Internet. I would encourage you to be proactive in this endeavor and learn more about this topic.
Key Words – internet, Internet of Things, virtual assistants, desktops and laptops, cell phones, video games, wearable technology, VPN (virtual private network), schooling, parental controls, cyber bullying, criminal activity
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