wk 8 cyberspace

it was a real change logging onto habbo hotel rather than my usual msn or myspace.
with msn or similar instant messaging programs you're pretty much logging on as yourself and for the average person, most of your contacts know you for being you. but logging onto habbo hotel is rather different. upon registering as a member you are able to choose your own virtual reality appearance, a character representing you, that you can essentially make look like whoever you want bringing a feel of anonymity. this i believe is an important qualitative difference as you are able to express yourself in ways you normally would not be able to.

though, when the idea of being able to become whom ever you want is abused it becomes quite worrying. i think that virtual reality programs such as habbo hotel can become quite dangerous in the hands of the wrong person. such as online predators.

as i travelled in and out of different rooms within the hotel i found the most common introduction was 'asl' age sex location. and the idea that kids (i found most users were in fact teenagers) can and do give out important information to people they really do not know. it can become quite dangerous.

though for some people harmlessly using these programs to make friends and fill time i personally would still prefer making friends in the real world as opposed to a virtual version.