Topic 1.4.3 Computers and the Internet

Online Q&A

We answer all your computer or Internet-related questions!

1. How much information about me is there online?

Probably a lot! That’s because most online apps and social media platforms are free, and if you’re not paying for a product, you are the product. A study back in 2017 found that an average app shares your data with around ten other companies, and one in five of them share with more than twenty. Things have only got worse since. Some of your online data will always be out there, but there are a few steps you can take, such as changing your social media privacy settings, clicking on ‘just essential cookies’ when asked, and using the private mode when you are browsing.

2. How can I avoid cyberbullying?

Cyberbullying is a very serious problem these days, especially with younger users, but also in the workplace. If you are being cyberbullied, first of all educate yourself on the topic to find out what help you can get. Schools and companies have very strict rules against cyberbullying, and it’s illegal in many countries. It also helps to be extra careful with your passwords and to not open messages if you don’t know who sent them. Maybe more importantly: if you see cyberbullying, don’t ignore it. You might think it’s not a big deal but for the person being bullied it is.

3. How can I identify fake news online?

Fake news is another big issue made worse by the Internet. It’s not new- the term, fake news was used back in the 19th century- but as now most people get their news from social media, it has become much easier to spread false information. To find out if a piece of news is fake, your common sense is your best weapon. Also, check who wrote it: is it a well-known media source? Search what other sources say, or type ‘fake news’ in your search engine and copy and paste the title of the article in question. And don’t share anything you’re not 100% sure of you should be a part of the solution, not of the problem.

4. Is it better to use Word or Google docs?

That’s a tricky one- they both have pros and cons. Google docs’ biggest advantage used to be that you could access documents from different devices, but Microsoft now have their OneDrive. Word still has better functions as they have been developing their word processor for over 30 years, but especially for teamwork, Google’s easily shared docs can be useful. Another useful feature they now both have is that you can access previous versions of your documents, so you don’t risk losing anything. All in all, I’d say it depends on what you’re doing- and don’t forget they’re not the only two on the market.