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Lightweb Darkweb
Lightweb Darkweb makes the case for the critical need to reform social media, especially for young users. Its author, Raffi Cavoukian, the renowned singer, Raffi, is also a writer, systems thinker, and founder of the Centre for Child Honouring. He offers three reasons for social media reform: safety, intelligence, and sustainability. A response to the suicide of Vancouver teen Amanda Todd after years of online harassment, and dedicated to her, Lightweb Darkweb is a call for sanity in the digital age. Social media providers must make systemic changes for young users' safety, and parents need to regulate their kids' screen time and social media use. Society can optimize the benefits of the Internet only by reducing its shadow of social, ecological and health hazards. Lightweb Darkweb highlights children's developmental needs as a key missing consideration in the digital revolution. The result is a much-needed book for our times.
- GenresNonfiction
194 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 21, 2013
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87 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
April 18, 2014
Are you ever suspicious that a book which makes bold statements may be selecting only the material that fits its thesis? #lightwebdarkweb: Three Reasons to Reform Social Media Be4 It Re-Forms Us not only appears to do this, but the author specifically says that he ignored the voices of those who “tout” (his word on p. 47) the positives or were self-styled “digital utopians” (rather pejorative in the context—p.48) in favor of hearing the “voices of caution.” (p. 48) Indeed, one often read such phrases as, “WE SIMPLY DO not know—cannot know—whether the digital revolution that has overtaken our species is ultimately in our best interest.” (p. 38) Add to that the rather regular, “”We don’t have the proper science to evaluate the pros and cons that social media platforms are doing to teenagers…” (quoting the head of anti-media group, Common Sense Media—p. 20). Or even, …we may yet learn [note the subjunctive case and the non-existent evidence the author uses here] of some shiny tech health issues that make us think twice, make some of us turn away or shock us into some balance.” (p. 86)
As one favored writer, N. Taleb, writes, “Absence of evidence is not necessarily evidence of absence.” Yet, it seems to be when one only seems to believe those who are anti-Wi-Fi and sources like the afore-mentioned Common Sense Media, Red Hood Project, Citizens for Safe Technology, Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood, and the Enough Project. Even when he cites interesting research about emotional intelligence (EQ), he underestimates the value of interactivity within technology with regard to the very learning via exploration, creativity, and cooperation that he idolizes in older, more established technologies (p. 94). Another example of the skewed nature of his bias is that while he blasts the use of REEs (Rare Earth Elements) in batteries and circuitry (pp. 100-1), a consideration that is worth noting, it is fascinating that he then blames the sexual exploitation of women on the mining of those REEs (pp. 117-8). The leap is amazing. And, while he waxes enthusiastically about the idea of Biomimicry and finding analogous solutions by observing nature’s solutions, he completely ignores the reality of entropy as it exists in nature and threatens those very solutions (pp. 109-10).
In short, it was hard to find elements of credibility in this volume. #lightwebdarkweb: Three Reasons to Reform Social Media Be4 It Re-Forms Us brings up some intriguing ideas. Citing Abraham Maslow’s “Healthy individuation requires resisting unhealthy enculturation…” (p. 47) provides a springboard to asserting that social media (SM throughout the book) is the primary purveyor of said unhealthy enculturation. While that may have some truth claim to it, it ignores a whole society full of potentially unhealthy memes that don’t necessarily require SM to distribute them. I would cite the KKK meme in early 20th century U.S. history and the treatment of Jews in Iberia (1492 CE) as examples of unhealthy enculturation that were pervasive in spite of the lack of digital SM.
In quoting like-minded authors, I was intrigued by Nicholas Carr’s assertion on p. 48 that, “The strip mining of ‘relevant content’ replaces the slow excavation of meaning.” So, the ability to “Google” a subject to begin my research doesn’t allow me to cogitate on the meaning of the material because I didn’t have to physically handle a Readers Guide to Periodical Literature that would, at best, catalog published listings from one quarter before? Does that mean that those students who learned to “cipher” like Jethro Bodine on The Beverly Hillbillies (“1+1 = 2, 1+2 = 3, 2+2 = 4…”) learn better than those of us who had to solve problems to get our basic mathematical skills? Slow doesn’t necessarily mean best or worst. Meaning depends on who is working with the data.
This book features the kind of reasoning that I complain about when my students evince such sloppiness.
As one favored writer, N. Taleb, writes, “Absence of evidence is not necessarily evidence of absence.” Yet, it seems to be when one only seems to believe those who are anti-Wi-Fi and sources like the afore-mentioned Common Sense Media, Red Hood Project, Citizens for Safe Technology, Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood, and the Enough Project. Even when he cites interesting research about emotional intelligence (EQ), he underestimates the value of interactivity within technology with regard to the very learning via exploration, creativity, and cooperation that he idolizes in older, more established technologies (p. 94). Another example of the skewed nature of his bias is that while he blasts the use of REEs (Rare Earth Elements) in batteries and circuitry (pp. 100-1), a consideration that is worth noting, it is fascinating that he then blames the sexual exploitation of women on the mining of those REEs (pp. 117-8). The leap is amazing. And, while he waxes enthusiastically about the idea of Biomimicry and finding analogous solutions by observing nature’s solutions, he completely ignores the reality of entropy as it exists in nature and threatens those very solutions (pp. 109-10).
In short, it was hard to find elements of credibility in this volume. #lightwebdarkweb: Three Reasons to Reform Social Media Be4 It Re-Forms Us brings up some intriguing ideas. Citing Abraham Maslow’s “Healthy individuation requires resisting unhealthy enculturation…” (p. 47) provides a springboard to asserting that social media (SM throughout the book) is the primary purveyor of said unhealthy enculturation. While that may have some truth claim to it, it ignores a whole society full of potentially unhealthy memes that don’t necessarily require SM to distribute them. I would cite the KKK meme in early 20th century U.S. history and the treatment of Jews in Iberia (1492 CE) as examples of unhealthy enculturation that were pervasive in spite of the lack of digital SM.
In quoting like-minded authors, I was intrigued by Nicholas Carr’s assertion on p. 48 that, “The strip mining of ‘relevant content’ replaces the slow excavation of meaning.” So, the ability to “Google” a subject to begin my research doesn’t allow me to cogitate on the meaning of the material because I didn’t have to physically handle a Readers Guide to Periodical Literature that would, at best, catalog published listings from one quarter before? Does that mean that those students who learned to “cipher” like Jethro Bodine on The Beverly Hillbillies (“1+1 = 2, 1+2 = 3, 2+2 = 4…”) learn better than those of us who had to solve problems to get our basic mathematical skills? Slow doesn’t necessarily mean best or worst. Meaning depends on who is working with the data.
This book features the kind of reasoning that I complain about when my students evince such sloppiness.
March 23, 2016
An important book that should be a must-read especially for parents of small children. Well-researched and thought-provoking.
June 21, 2018
Maybe 2.5?
Generally, I agree with many of Cavoukian's points ~ there needs to be easily understandable privacy controls, no hidden tracking, encryption of documents stored online / cloud servers, increased social interaction offline, increased consumer demand for sustainable practices, and increased regulation forcing corporate stewardship.
However, I disagree with the 'packaging' of these premises ~ cloaking it around children's issues only, while largely ignoring the serious impacts it has on adults. Essentially, the book comes across as "sure, it'd be nice for everyone if we make these changes ~ BUT IT'S REALLY FOR THE CHILDREN". I also found it off-putting how the author fails to hold to the commonly accepted terminology of what constitutes the Dark Web, and expanding it to include objectionable content of a violent or sexual nature, while not even mentioning the ways that TOR browsing and connectivity through the so-called Dark Web fostered movements such as the Arab Spring and allows dissenters to add a layer of anonymity from intrusive government and corporate tracking.
At this point, it's a solid 5-years on from publication, and it largely seems as though most calls for action remain unheeded. Countless privacy invasions and stealth changes to TOS by Facebook and others have yet to result in a watershed moment of individuals making a meaningful call for regulation and reform. Maybe next year...
Generally, I agree with many of Cavoukian's points ~ there needs to be easily understandable privacy controls, no hidden tracking, encryption of documents stored online / cloud servers, increased social interaction offline, increased consumer demand for sustainable practices, and increased regulation forcing corporate stewardship.
However, I disagree with the 'packaging' of these premises ~ cloaking it around children's issues only, while largely ignoring the serious impacts it has on adults. Essentially, the book comes across as "sure, it'd be nice for everyone if we make these changes ~ BUT IT'S REALLY FOR THE CHILDREN". I also found it off-putting how the author fails to hold to the commonly accepted terminology of what constitutes the Dark Web, and expanding it to include objectionable content of a violent or sexual nature, while not even mentioning the ways that TOR browsing and connectivity through the so-called Dark Web fostered movements such as the Arab Spring and allows dissenters to add a layer of anonymity from intrusive government and corporate tracking.
At this point, it's a solid 5-years on from publication, and it largely seems as though most calls for action remain unheeded. Countless privacy invasions and stealth changes to TOS by Facebook and others have yet to result in a watershed moment of individuals making a meaningful call for regulation and reform. Maybe next year...
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August 12, 2015http://rabble.ca/books/reviews/2013/0...
Review by Cathi Bond
Raffi Cavoukian is the world’s best known children’s troubadour. He is a staple of modern childhood. Both the Washington Post and the Toronto Star call him "the most popular children’s entertainer in the western world."
While I was aware of his enormous popularity, I was unaware that Cavoukian is also a writer and lecturer with most of his books, understandably, concerned with children. Cavoukian’s most recent work is called #lightwebdarkweb: Three Reasons to Reform Social Media B4 it Re-forms Us and offers an analysis of the many riches the "light" web has brought to our lives, but the book primarily addresses the terrifying darkness the web brings as well.
While #lightwebdarkweb is a warning call to already formed adult brains, the book’s primary focus is on the startling effects the Internet is having on the world’s children and in particular the effect of cell phones.
What are the health implication of cellular technology, the addictive nature of social media (SM) and what exactly do these smart phones cost the earth itself?
Read more here: http://rabble.ca/books/reviews/2013/0...
Review by Cathi Bond
Raffi Cavoukian is the world’s best known children’s troubadour. He is a staple of modern childhood. Both the Washington Post and the Toronto Star call him "the most popular children’s entertainer in the western world."
While I was aware of his enormous popularity, I was unaware that Cavoukian is also a writer and lecturer with most of his books, understandably, concerned with children. Cavoukian’s most recent work is called #lightwebdarkweb: Three Reasons to Reform Social Media B4 it Re-forms Us and offers an analysis of the many riches the "light" web has brought to our lives, but the book primarily addresses the terrifying darkness the web brings as well.
While #lightwebdarkweb is a warning call to already formed adult brains, the book’s primary focus is on the startling effects the Internet is having on the world’s children and in particular the effect of cell phones.
What are the health implication of cellular technology, the addictive nature of social media (SM) and what exactly do these smart phones cost the earth itself?
Read more here: http://rabble.ca/books/reviews/2013/0...
January 14, 2014
Raffi has always advocated for children - but this latest book really shows the depth of his knowledge and commitment. Every parent should have their eyes opened to the research Raffi has compiled. He makes a clear call for action. We need to get educated as parents to the potential gains AND dark side of "shiny tech". We need to put pressure on for the policy reforms Raffi suggests. READ THIS BOOK!
January 15, 2014
Another must-read for parents.
Want to read
February 13, 2016amazing
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews