i-Lights

Protecting Children from Obssesive Use of the Internet

Lately, there's been lots of talk of children spending too much time online. Contrary to previous estimates, children may be spending 20 hours or more per week on social networking sites such as MySpace, Facebook, Bebo, and YouTube.

According to the Institute for Public Policy Research, a whole generation of children are being raised online. Worse, parents usually have no clue about the type of content accessed by their children, nor the lengths children will go to circumvent protection restrictions.

All of this translates into a large cash infusion of advertising and investment dollars into certain social media sites. Advertisers want their products in front of a young demographic. But again, are parents aware of this target advertising? Parents need to become more aware of their children's online viewing habits, and in some cases, limit online time or change the way online media is viewed to protect their children.

Parking Photographs for Future Artistic Consideration

Photographs have the ability to uplift the human soul. In contrast, Eli Seigel, founder of the Aesthetic Realism philosophy, teaches a more integrated approach to art. "All beauty is a making one of opposites, and the making one of opposites is what we are going after in ourselves."

Art has functional beauty as well as aesthetic beauty. By recognizing and appreciating the two, we can have a more pleasurable experience from the art in our surroundings.

Similarly, this site provides a soothing viewing experience of various landscapes. But rather than park in front of someone else’s idea of soothing photographs, why not scour the Internet for meaningful photographs reflecting one’s own personal tastes?

Social Media Networking Solutions

Twitterlights is just one of many forms of social media. Lately, more and more people are taking advantage of social media solutions to create a unique presence both online and offline.

For example, music artists and their labels recently began investigating the use of social networks to promote and sell music. A review of the recommended five best music sharing sites specifically suited to the task can be found here.

And although their bold move may have cost them a profit, U.K. group Radiohead allowed fans to download their new album, In Rainbows, and pay what they wanted before releasing offline versions to stores.

Signs and Funny Stories of Internet Addiction

According to Dr. Jerald J. Block, the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders should include a chapter about Internet Addiction, an obsessive-compulsive disorder consisting of excessive online gaming, sexual preoccupation, texting, and/or e-mailing. Recent studies suggest highly educated, introverted males, Koreans, and middle-aged women with home computers are most at risk.

Four distinct symptoms help identify the nascent malady. Addicts suffer feelings of withdrawal when unable to access a computer, perpetual cravings for new and better equipment, negative repercussions such as social isolation and fatigue, and neglect of basic drives resulting from excessive usage.

Second Spotlight on Twitterlights Users and Fans

The first post of the week should be reserved for something special. Company news, behind the scenes information, informative interviews, user feedback, that sort of thing. Whenever possible, I will feature that type of information in the first post of the week.

Of course, The Light Stuff will still broadcast company news and other announcements as it occurs. Breaking news will not be held to the following Monday simply to satisfy a new proposed format. That would be silly.

Today, no corporate news flashes to speak of, but we are seeing an uptick in user interest for i-Lighter and Twitterlights. So, with no further ado, it's another edition of headlines gleaned from our admirers.