Twitter has announced through it’s blog that it could “reactively withhold content from users in a specific country”. Basically, Twitter is saying it has the right to remove content if it is against the laws of a particular country or if needed by special request…

So the question is…
Is upholding Freedom of Speech important enough to break local laws?

The impact of social media on actual live social interaction really cuts both ways. Yes it does open a venue in which people can hide behind computer, interact through online personalities, and perhaps under-develop their social abilities. It’s so much easier to comment or like someone’s post or post up updates about your own life. But in the same time, it does open a venue in which friends can interact more often which in itself can lead them to hang out more in the real world and keep up with one another when you probably wouldn’t have done so in the real world to begin with.

Where do you stand?

“…virtually all of the practices that nearly wrecked the global economy back in 2008 were legal—all of which goes to prove that just because something is legal doesn’t make it ethical or right… So the question isn’t “why?” but “why not?” If the only thing standing between you and millions, even billions, is other people’s disapproval, why not do what you want to do?”

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In early August, Pretzel Crisp launched an an ad campaign in New York City with several slogans including “You can never be too thin”… it immediate brought anger throughout the blogsophere as a thinspiration slogan promoting unhealthy weight loss…

Prepare for an overload of Teenager Texting Statistics:

Half of teens send 50 or more text messages a day, or 1,500 texts a month. One in three send more than 100 texts a day (or more than 3,000 texts a month.)

15% of teen texters send more than 200 texts a day, or more than 6,000 texts a month.

See More Interesting Statistics:

Sexualization of Girls Report by the APA
American Psychological Association came out with a report that shows girl as young as 4 and 5 years old are wearing new clothing styles such as push-up bras, thongs, mini skirts and other adult type outfits. Following the onslaught of media images they see on TV, there is a changing standard born out of the pressure these images give to children to “get with it” or “fit in”. This report brings up the decrease in self-esteem, the increase in depressions and eating disorders linked to the increasing sexualization by the media. It also emphasizes the increasing underage sex rate.

Nominees for the 2010 Nobel Peace Prize includes a Russian human rights group, a Chinese dissident and of course the Internet.

Say what?

The Internet to Win the Nobel Peace Prize?

Yes, the Internet was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize. This is the year after Obama won the Nobel Peace Prize for doing nothing at the time he won.

Does the Internet really warrant consideration?

Have you ever heard of a viral video that no one has seen? Focus on the Family has shot a pro-life spot featuring the college superstar and former Heisman Winner Tim Tebow. The spot will star Tim Tebow and his mother who will discuss how she went against the doctor’s advice to abort her son due to a life threatening infection. After contracting a dangerous infection during a mission trip to the Philippines, doctors recommended she terminate her pregnancy, fearing she might die during childbirth. They named their son “Timmy” who later was known to the world as Tim Tebow, the University of Florida’s Quarterback who led his team to national championships in 2006 and 2008.

“Several risks to pediatric health are literally staring children in the face. It’s time to call the doctor.”

Want to share this old, but great article from the Harvard Medical Alumni Bulletin. Very interesting points about how media cuts into many issues such as obesity, eating disorders, attention disorders, violence, sex, and drug use and how Medical Professionals need to deeply consider how much media has an influence on the development of these.

“The sex-ed lobby has always claimed it was all about health—teaching kids how to stay safe. But in reality, their goal was not preventing disease, pregnancy, and emotional distress. It’s about indoctrinating them into a radical ideology—sexual freedom….

What’s the result of this teaching? One in four American girls now has a sexually transmitted disease.” – Breakpoint

– Are sex educators not providing the latest medical facts?
– What are the latest findings on the effects of living with sexual freedom?
– What are those scientific facts! Am I in danger?!

AMP UP / Pepsi Iphone App “Before You Score” Gone too Far?
Amp, a Pepsi owned energy drink company, released an Iphone App called “Before You Score” that categories women and helps you score and brag about your conquests. This app created a lot of controversy because of the way it objectified women.

However more than the backlash, what is more surprising were the responses from the general public in defense of AMP…

Is Truth Relative? Do we have a “right” to do as we please?

Is abortion wrong because the child is a human being and no one has the right to kill a child? Or should abortion be considered a valid option because it is in the right of the mother to determine whether they can or want the child? How about the right of a person to kill oneself? Do old sickly people have the right to end their own lives? Can other people assist them? Stop them? The debates continue but underlying these discussions is a much deeper battle: the battle in the validity of the sanctity of life.