Short Takes
Online Population Explosion
A recent Pew Internet study estimated 137 million Internet users in China. The country is second in number only to the United States, where current Internet population estimates range from 165 million to 210 million. China is projected to overtake the U.S. in the total number of users within a few years. The report comments that the Internet will offer a greater number of Chinese a more sophisticated communications world than the one they currently inhabit. With China's single written language, the report notes this could have a unifying effect on the country's citizenry.
One in Three Kids Victim of Cyberbullying
According to a recent nationwide survey released in June, the number of kids who report being victimized by online attacks has grown to one in three. Described as the Internet's version of a schoolyard taunt, cyberbullying is of increasing concern to teens, parents and educators. The survey of more than 900 teens ages 12 to 17, also found that the more time that kids spend online, the more likely they are to experience cyberbullying.
Source: Pew Research Foundation's Internet Project
1 in 5 People Risk Their Life to Text While Driving
Many people can't ignore their Blackberry's while driving, even though they know it's dangerous. A recent survey by Nationwide Insurance found that one in five people text while driving. The numbers jump to one in three among 18-34 year olds. Insurers predict this trend will only increase as more and more people acquire access to mobile devices with messaging technologies. Such statistics have prompted USTelematics, Inc. (www.ustelematics.com) to develop Vivee (short for Voice Interactive Voice Enhanced Email), a new service that reads incoming email or text out loud, allowing hands to stay on the wheel and eyes on the road.
Federal Court Rules on Stored Email
The Federal appeals court recently ruled on searches of stored email. As part of a fraud investigation, government had contended that the emails stored with service providers could be seized without warrants. The court ruled this unconstitutional and like email in-transit, stored email is protected under the constitution. The court likened stored emails at the service provider to a sealed letter and as such the sender should be able to maintain an expectation of privacy. This privacy interest requires law enforcement officials to obtain a warrant proving probable cause prior to seizing stored emails in the future.
Virtual Bar
A new online gathering site is callin itself the first online pub. According to its founders CherryTAP has all the nuances of a pub where users can buy each other virtual drinks and mingle with bar patrons from all over the world. Users can sponsor an hour long "Happy Hour" (where their profile and personal message are posted at the top of the site page), ask the "bartender" for advice, or go to the lounge to request music from the DJ or to chat. The online pub "bouncers" moderate content and user behavior.