Social media robs a generation of childhood innocence
In 1983 Department of Defense transitions ARPANET to transmission control protocol and internet protocol. These protocols standardize communication between different computer networks creating ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œnetwork of networks.ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ This begins internet as we know it.
In 1990, World Wide Web emerges with hypertext transfer protocol. Email and instant messaging as well as discussion groups and blogs enables near-real-time communication in 1995. 1990s internet promotes interconnectivity.
Six Degrees constitutes first recognizable social media site in 1997. MySpace appears in 2003. By 2007, social media mushrooms with advent of AppleÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s iPhone. Unlike early internet days focusing on connectivity, social media begins fueling individual performance platforms. Viral posts and content control with algorithms take root.
According to recent Pew report, childhood smart phone usage continues to grow with nearly half of U.S. teens constantly online. Giving youngsters smart phones preempts normal childhood development. Dangers are well documented. Yet, social media companies persistently pedal their product at youthÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s expense.
Provide kids flip phones without internet connectivity. Go beyond congressional banning of harmful TikTok application. For anyone under legal voting age outlaw all social media usage.
As computer scientist Edward Tufte observes, ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œThere are only two industries that call their customers ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥˜usersÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™: illegal drugs and software.ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ TufteÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s perspective reflects overall negative impact of social media on our civic mental health. WeÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™d all benefit by unplugging from social media barrage.
Roger Combs
Ona
January gives reasons to smile
When the calendar showed Jan. 1, 2025, there were a couple of future events coming up that might be of interest to some people. First, the coming inauguration of President Trump that hopefully results in the end of Mr. BidenÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s socialist pressure on American lives. Secondly, according to my wife, in 95 days it will be time to start cutting grass again! Come on, smile!
Dorsey ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œDanÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ Boyd
Chesapeake, Ohio
How will Trump respond
to domestic terrorism?
On New YearÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s Day 2025, a horrific massacre in New Orleans was caused by a vehicle plowing through Bourbon and Canal streets, killing 14 and injuring some 35 revelers. A similar scenario in Magdeburg, Germany, on Dec. 20, killing five and injuring 235 at a Christmas market. Both are terrorist acts, politically motivated, aimed at innocent bystanders; the intention to create fear. The families of the dead and the survivors, their lives will forever be changed.
How do our leaders respond, and forget the empty words, ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œour prayers and thoughtsÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ after every mass killing. Meaningless without action. To quote a rabbi (Chanina) from the Talmud, ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œAnyone whose deeds are greater than his wisdom, his wisdom will endure; and anyone with wisdom greater than his deeds, his wisdom will not endure.ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ Action, not hollow words.
Our presidentÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s response to the New Orleans tragedy, with his condolences, asked the public to be patient to await the investigations to be completed. The president-elect, Trump, took the occasion to blame migrants, open borders, for the massacre. All because the assassin was not called ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œJohn SmithÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥? The perpetrator happened to be a U.S. citizen, a veteran, ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œborn and bredÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ in Texas!
Terrorism in the USA comes from different sectors, mostly domestic, extreme right-wing groups (recall Oklahoma City in 1995), but also from American followers of overseas ideologies, as was the case in New Orleans. And directly, of course, from foreign adversaries. Our security services, underfunded, need to address all the threats to keep us safe. A tall order.
My concerns are the ignorance and impulsiveness of our next U.S. president, you know, with the index finger on the nuclear button. And with his cabinet picks, sycophants, most inexperienced, and some with nihilistic ideologies.
ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œKeep calm and carry on,ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ as a 1939 British government poster (Ministry of Information) urged before World War II.
Nicholas Freidin
Huntington
