Week 4 New/Digital Media

Year 13: Weekly New/Digital Media homework

Netflix raises prices for first time in two years

BBC - 05/10/17

This article notes about the increased Netflix subscription prices and the reasoning behind this. Rising competitors such as Amazon, Hulu and etc have contributed to Netflix increasing their subscriptions and focusing on Netflix original programmes.  

• A standard UK plan will rise 50p to £7.99 a month. Premium subscription for four simultaneous users rises £1 to £9.99 a month.
• The standard US plan increases by $1 to $10.99 a month, with a $2 rise to $13.99 for the premium option.
• A basic subscription in the UK, which does not offer high definition viewing, remains at £5.99 a month.
• Netflix said in July it has 104 million subscribers globally, while revenues rose 32% in the second quarter to $2.8bn.
• Shares in Netflix closed 5.4% in New York, bringing the stock's gain this year to 56%.

In my opinion, I think that this increase may affect Netflix as more users are becoming familiar with streaming content online for free. In addition to this, the variety that Netflix offers on movies is not that extensive, as a result of this consumers may begin to cancel their memberships along with the increase in price. Also, as alot of Netflix users are students that do not have an income this could affect them majorly.  

ANTI-SOCIAL MEDIA - Government tells teachers to read ‘social media rights’ to teens who overshare on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook

The Sun - 29/09/17

This article explores the hazards that young people face in regards to social media and how children could be informed on this. Schools would receive a policy to educate students in regards to digital citizenship concerning some of major media companies like Instagram. Some of these social media companies have protested against what has been written in the policy as they state that they somewhat incorrect, however, they are aware that there would be some misconduct.  

• The guidelines join a set of curriculum for teaching seven to 11-year-olds better digital citizenship.
• Some of the tech companies included in the guidelines have hit back, with Instagram pointing claiming that there are a number of "inaccuracies" within the guidelines.
• Snapchat also said that while it is impossible to ensure children's' safety while using the app, they have tried to create an easy to understand Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
• Snapchat came under fire when it launched its Snap Map, which broadcasts your exact location in animated "Bitmoji" form on a publicly visible map.
• Commissioner Longfield this summer launched a "Digital Five A Day" campaign to put an end to "children using the internet and social media like they would junk food".

In my opinion, I think that social media could be a dangerous environment but it depends on the individual and how they use it. I think that it would be good for schools to educate children on not sharing too much of their personal information and private issues, however, some people are aware of these dangers but still continue to do it. In all, I think that social media is a good way to communicate and keep up with the things going on around us but overuse of this and exposure could be damaging to the individual.