Blade Runner! What is it to be human?

I participated in a Twitter chat today and was asked "A Blade Runner-type debate. What is it to be human? Believe always on connectivity is changing us & emotions"

My comment was that "Connectivity is so much part of our lives! Have we evolved?"

Let me elaborate...

When I was growing up a million years ago, I watched too much television.  I would spend around 3 hours a day in front of three terrestrial channels, as I grew up I was given an Apple II at 12, and an Atari ST when I was 15 and eventually my first PC when I was 20.  Access to the internet when I was 23 at work, AOL at home when I was 24, home broadband when I was 26 and home wireless when I was 30.

Things moved on to the point where I now have, a work laptop, my personal laptop, a Nexus 7 tablet and a HTC One M8.  The house has two computers in the kitchen (which the children use for homework and Minecraft), a tablet for each of my older two children, an iPad 2 being used by the youngest two children, and a Chromebook  and a Moto G smartphone for my wife.  I'm not even counting the PS3, Wii or DS Lites.

I think it's fair to say we have embraced technology in our household.

My children spend a similar amount of time in front of a screen as I did, but now the content is dynamic, rather than the three channels of stuff you couldn't choose.

Evolution, not wanting to get into a debate but it doesn't always mean it's for the best, but rather a change typically caused by environment.  The level of connectivity has changed our lives, whether it's gathering information, communicating, entertainment, shopping, checking the news and weather, finding a restaurant, looking for reviews, education, etc, etc.

I remember speaking to a couple a few years ago and they didn't have the internet at home.  The school told them that if they didn't get it soon, it would impact on their children's education.  You can see the schools concern when we consider what we take for granted by having the internet.

Is this what it is to be human now?  Is connectivity a human right or an essential utility?  Are we talking about First World Issues? Have we truly evolved?  Do humans dream of analogue sheep?

Children and Internet Safety... do they mix?

As an IT Security professional and a father, I'm often asked how to filter the internet for their children.  I would suggest there are three elements that need to be looked at including IT security, education and computer location.

My children use a Windows 7 computer, but in order to secure the system, I run Avira Internet Security 2012, which is a lightweight, low footprint but highly effective anti-virus software.  It offers anti-malware, a software firewall and a basic level of web filtering.  I ensure all these components are enabled, updated and running.  I have created limited access Windows user accounts for the children, where no administrative rights are available.

Everyone assumes that controlling the computer or access to the internet is the answer, but your children need to understand why they are in place.  We have spoken to the children that if they encounter anything that they did not expect, then they should make us aware of it.  We have also spoken about password security to them, to ensure that the passwords they use are not shared with anyone beyond the family.

Some people are surprised with the final piece of advice, but I suggest putting the computer, or using the laptop in a high traffic area of the house.  Some recent research has shown that paedophiles are less likely to engage in a webcam chat, if it is in a family area of the house, compared to a bedroom.  We have situated the desktop computer in the kitchen, where the children are rarely using the computer unsupervised.

Some think this attitude may be a little paranoid, but the key component is education and for your children to understand why.

Thanks to Jason Jones for pointing out this Ofsted report, which makes for some interesting further reading.