The decision between Pocket and Pinterest ultimately comes down to personal preferences and the kind of information the user wants to manage. Pocket is great at arranging and storing text, it's the perfect app for people who value reading and information intake. However, Pinterest excels as a visual inspiration and discovery platform, drawing in users who are looking for original ideas and visually stimulating content. 

Our first task was to create a pocked and Pinterest account. After using the app and experimenting with all its features we were asked to compare and contrast the two online platforms. Padlet served as a base for all our gathered thoughts and information and was the main structure to the assignment where we were to upload all of our findings clearly. I uploaded screenshots of both apps under different headings. I really enjoyed using Pinterest again for this assignment. Pinterest can be a useful resource for knowledge sharing because it allows you to interact with other users by loving, commenting, and repining other articles, as well as sharing your own personal interests.

I found it really enjoyable to discover a new app that I would definitely use in the future to broaden my knowledge in areas that I would previously have lacked in as I can share relevant articles that I find interesting to my friends and to help educate them too. Pocket is great for reading articles and web content. The website was very easy to navigate around and contained loads of interesting stories and blogs. 

I used Google my Maps to create my map and found it to be quite challenging at first when reading the outline of the task but once I had read the instructions in detail everything became crystal clear. I chose to theme my map around destinations around the world that I had travelled to. I found it very useful for possible projects in the future where it could help me showcase other events in my life through a map. 

One of the final assessments we were tasked was to create a 30 second video of our choice using the software screen o matic. I found this rather difficult at first as I could understand why the website was not letting me download the software but realized it was in fact my iPad that was not compatible with the features. Once I tried on my laptop it was very simple and straightforward from there on. I thought it was cool how you could record the screen and your voice at the same time. I chose to do my video based on my mother Martina Hamilton’s jewellery website. I am very proud of all her work and thought it was interesting way to showcase her talent. I liked the music feature where you could choose to add background music within a click of a button. It made editing a lot easier. I definitely will be using this software in the future as it was so simple and effective to use. This tool will be handy to use in other projects where I want to give an online tutorial on how to use something from my point of view.

In conclusion, ‘digital citizenship refers to the appropriate behavior, attitudes, and skills required to engage responsibly and respectfully in the digital sphere’ (Abhishek, G. 2023, June 2). I can use the social media tools from this module to help me improve my knowledge and skills as a digital citizen and will stand with me in the future. 

Question 

"How can I use the social media tools used to-date on this module to support my online engagement as a digital citizen, including finding, creating and publishing, curating and managing, and sharing information?"

To effectively utilise the social media tools incorporated into this module for enhancing online engagement as a digital citizen, a multifaceted approach is essential. ‘The digital age has taken over the way we communicate, debate, interact and protest’ (Danny. (2023, March 31).

Firstly, I can use social media tools effectively as a digital citizen when finding, creating and publishing content, managing information and sharing content. 

I can utilize e social media platforms to discover relevant content, discussions and news related to my topic of interest. 

Secondly, In terms of finding information, I can utilise social media platforms search engines to discover relatable and relevant content, news and information based on my interests. I follow accounts on social media such as Instagram and TikTok that make content that I am very interested and want to see more of. This helps me keep up with the latest trends and news that’s going on around the world. I like to be informed and kept up to date with everything as I think it’s important to stay educated in today’s society and try help push to make a better future and improve the world we live in today. 

Thirdly, I am an active user on Instagram, snapchat, VSCO and TikTok where I like to share, repost, text and make my own videos. I can use many of the various content creator tools to enhance my videos and boost my audience views and utilize analytics tools provided by social media platforms to track the performance of my content, including reach, engagement, and audience demographics.

I also engage in online communities and groups related to my personal interests to stay updated and connected with like-minded individuals where digital citizens exist outside of time and place(Akwugo Emejulu & Callum McGregor 2019)

Lastly, sharing information responsibly entails verifying facts, evaluating sources and considering the impact of your shared content in a world of every increasing diverse audience. People should share informative and educational content that will help contribute positively to the world around us to help everyone stay informed to the dangers of the world we live in. This can be done by fact checking everything you read and upload on the internet. By incorporating these practices into your use of social media tools, you can effectively support your online engagement as a responsible digital citizen while maximizing your impact and influence within your online community. ‘The idea of citizenship being digital, for example, carries within it the principles of scale, immediacy and information control that are all immanent in the idea of big data and which thus exert a change in understanding’ (Pangrazio, L., & Sefton-Green, J. 2021)

Right to Remove Content:

Don't like something you posted? No worries! Photos, videos, comments. You can delete them anytime directly through the app or website. 

Right to Know Access to Your Data:

Ever wonder who sees your data and why? We use it to personalize your Instagram experience. We're upfront about this in our Privacy Policy, which is basically a rulebook explaining everything. 

Right to Safety and Support:

Feeling uncomfortable online? We've got your back. From reporting bad behavior to finding support resources, we have tools to help you navigate any issues you might face.

Right to Informed and Conscious Use:

We want Instagram to be a positive space, but social media can be a double-edged sword. We offer resources and tips to help you use Instagram responsibly and avoid things like overuse or negativity. 

Right to Digital Literacy:

Mastering Instagram takes some know-how. That's why we provide educational materials and tutorials to help you navigate the platform like a pro. The more you understand, the better your experience will be!

Remember, using Instagram means agreeing to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. These documents outline your rights and responsibilities. Got questions? Our Privacy Team is always happy to help. Thanks for being part of the Instagram community!

"​How can I apply my learning on this module to create a Personal Digital Strategy which supports my control of my digital presence? "

Studying the DigiLife module has been an eye-opening experience. It's helped me understand social media better and how it affects my online presence and its role on shaping our digital presence. This module made me aware of my digital footprint and allowed me to create a plan that helps me control my digital footprint. By exploring different social media apps, improving how I find and share information, and thinking about the social and ethical sides of using social media, I hope to shape an online image that feels true to who I am.

First off, I've learned about lots of social media apps. There are hundreds of online apps in the world today, it’s hard to try them all. By reading about them in books like "Social Media: A Reference Handbook," I now know which ones might work best for me. Whether it be networking on LinkedIn, sharing insights on Twitter, or showcasing my creativity on Instagram, each platform serves as a unique canvas for self-expression and engagement. Being able to use new tools like can a can help me support my control of my digital presence

Next, I've gotten better at using social media to find and share information. Before studying this module, I really only used social media to present a prefect image of myself online, posting weekly photos of my most recent adventures, I would never use it as an information source. Reading texts like “digital detectives: solving information dilemmas in an online world” by Crystal Fulton and Claire McGuinness has shown me how powerful social media can be for sharing knowledge. I want to use this power to become someone people trust for good information online as I have learned that there is a lot of disinformation spread across the internet where you can’t tell from right and wrong. Forbes “top social media statistics and trends” show that in 2023, an estimated 4.9 billion people use social media across the world. Which is expected top jump tp 5.58 billion in 2027. After learning statistics

I've also learned how to decide which social media apps are right for me. Books like "The Social Media Bible" have shown me the tricks to make the most of these apps. I'll think carefully about how to use them to show off my skills, connect with others, and support causes I care about. Understanding the social and ethical sides of social media has been important too. Reading articles from places like The Guardian and The New York Times has made me think about things like privacy and honesty online and how it can harm teenagers' mental health. I'll be mindful of these things as I use social media in the future. A recent article by The New York Times has shows a study called Project Awesome by the University of Amsterdam and Erasmus University in Rotterdam looked at how social media affects 1,000 teenagers. It found that what matters more than how much time teens spend on social media is how they feel while using it. Lastly, I'm excited about what's next in social media. Books like "The Social Media Revolution" have shown me how fast things are changing. I want to stay open-minded and ready for new ways to use social media to achieve my goals.

In conclusion, the DigiLife module has given me a roadmap for building a personal, unique digital strategy that empowers me to be more aware of my digital footprint. By picking the right social media apps, sharing truthful information, being mindful of ethics, and staying open to new ideas, I'm ready to shape a digital presence that reflects who I am, what I care about and my core values in life.

References:

1.          Everyone Says Social Media Is Bad for Teens. Proving It Is Another Thing.

Miller, C. C. (2023, June 17). Everyone says social media is bad for teens. proving it is another thing. The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/06/17/upshot/social-media-teen-mental-health.html 

2.          Digital detectives: solving information dilemmas in an online world

Fulton, C., & McGuinness, C. M. (2016). Digital detectives: Solving information dilemmas in an online world (1st ed.). Chandos Publishing is an imprint of Elsevier. https://doi.org/10.1016/C2014-0-02094-1

3.          Forbes: Top Social Media Statistics and Trends

Wong, B. (2024, February 6). Top social media statistics and trends. Forbes. https://www.forbes.com/advisor/in/business/social-media-statistics/ 

4.          Digital Presence and Online Identity among Digital Scholars: A Thematic Analysis.

PAYNE, D. (2015). The BMJ online: Lessons from a 20‐year digital presence. Learned Publishing, 28(4), 304-308. https://doi.org/10.1087/20150410

5.          Navigating the Digital Age: Unraveling the Impact of Social Media on Society and Mental Health

Shah, K. (2023, October 16). Navigating the digital age: Unraveling the impact of social media on society and mental health. Medium. https://medium.com/@mrkamilshah195/navigating-the-digital-age-unraveling-the-impact-of-social-media-on-society-and-mental-health-c32366634463 

6.          A new perspective on education in the digital age: teaching, media and bildung

Taekke, J., & Paulsen, M. (2021;2022;). A new perspective on education in the digital age: Teaching, media and bildung (First;1; ed.). Bloomsbury Academic. https://doi.org/10.5040/9781350175426