Online Media Regulation

Problems with Regulation - Case Study 

• Blocking access to mainstream sites could lead to users trying to access sketicher sites 
• Mainstream sites are worried that they'd implement the age verification whilst smaller sites get away with not implementing it due to poor enforcement of the regulation
• It costs around 20p per user to verify their age which could have a negative effect on smaller sites
• Many users don't want to have their personal details shared to the website they're trying to access upon doing the age verification
• The regulation could promote the use of VPNs to bypass the UK verification system with ease

"The internet is largely regulated in a “patchwork of regulation and voluntary initiatives”. This means that, in the UK, the internet is regulated in radically different ways depending on the site, but ultimately, it is up to the distributor of content to voluntarily regulate themselves. Therefore the internet is largely self-regulated. There are a number of reasons for this approach, including the rapid advancement of technology, and the simple fact that much of the internet is hosted in completely different countries with completely different laws and restrictions. You must communicate in the exam about the potential harms and problems the internet may present its users.

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Potential Harms to users of online media:

• Cyberbullying/trolling on many different platforms from other users as there is no real consequence for them as a result of this 
• Could be exposed to harmful material being posted on social media or on gore websites 
• Scam and viruses being located on fake download links and pop up ads attempting to install some sort of malware onto your system 
• DDos and IP tracking from potential hackers especially on dodgy sites 
• Having your personal details on public display affecting the users personal security and privacy 

The Zoella Site potential harms:

• The terms and conditions states that the information they publish on the site isn't mean to be "relied on" and instead there just for "general information". However, this isn't stated on any of the articles meaning some users could end up being misinformed 
• The terms and conditions also include a statement about how they may but are not obligated to removing potential harmful content meaning the audience could be potentially left vulnerable to material which may offend them
• There's a few articles mentioning things such as "audio porn you should listen to" and "getting in touch with your erotic self" which could potentially lead to audiences coming across offensive material whilst reading or doing more research upon the topic 

Zoella Controversies:

• Old tweets were found of Zoella using offensive language including the use of words such as skank, fat chav and tramp. She has been accused of making homophobic comments as well as fat shaming
• Zoella was under fire for an advent calendar she released which only had 12 doors yet still costed £50 (which was later reduced to £25 by Boots). People complained that she overpriced the calendar which was of poor quality due to only containing "packet of confetti, seven stickers and cookies" and was exploiting her fan base which consisted of kids in order for them to beg their parents to get it for them 
• Zoella has also been in trouble with Instagram for not disclosing a promotion she did for a dress she posted on her story. This resulted in her getting a warning from UK ad regulators for not making it clear that her story was promotional material 
• Zoella has also been caught "driving and volgging" on camera where it's shown that she takes both hands of the steering wheel at one point. A police spokesman says "she could've killed someone" 
• Her book "Girl Online" has been said to be ghost written which Zoella has received massive backlash over when it first came out 
• Due to Zoella advertising sex toys for her mature audience, she was taken off the AQA GCSE Media curriculum as her content was seen as too inappropriate to teach to GCSE students 

Hyper-real - is more real than the thing its representing