Who+Stole+The+Cookie+From+The+Cookie+Jar?

Name:Lucy Oatley Student Number: n8285829  Tutor: Michelle Newcombe

**// Who Stole The Cookie From The Cookie Jar? //**

// ‘The Internet has changed the way students learn and communicate. With the click of a mouse, they can instant message one another, work together on projects, download all kinds of multimedia files, and post to blogs, Web sites, and RSS feeds. Access to people and information enhances instruction, but what happens when the "dark side of the Internet" sneaks around the corner and into the classroom or home? You have seen the stories on television about chat rooms, read about incidents in the newspaper where kids have been lured to meet strangers, and read the research in magazines about social networking and cyberbullying. Keeping kids safe must be an ongoing effort through awareness, education, and supervision. ‘ // Joseph, L. (2007)

media type="file" key="Jack Johnson - Cookie Jar.mp4" width="300" height="300"

**//Describe and Depict the Artifact//**

‘Cookie Jar’ by Jack Johnson is an unreleased song from his second studio album ‘On And On’. The album was released in 2003 under Moonshine Conspiracy Records. Literally, the song describes the aftermath of a school shooting and follows the stories and excuses of all those involved. Consisting of acoustic guitar, Johnson’s voice, bass guitar and basic percussion, including a drum kit, a cowbell and bongos, ‘Cookie Jar’ has been widely acclaimed for it’s metaphorical lyrics. Rather than fashioning Johnson as philosophical preacher as they did with Johnson’s counterpart, Ben Harper, music critics have attributed the song’s success to the fact that Johnson is ‘on their level [the consumers]’ (iTunes, 2004).

**//Public Health Issue//**

This song represents the negative outcomes of technological advancements and how we, the society as a collective, are to blame for these outcomes. The following essay will discuss the outcomes of cyber bullying, cyber addiction and cyber advancements within entertainment with special regard to mental health, and how human demand has allowed defective products to inflate the market. Further more, it will discuss who is responsible for the detriment that the cyber world creates.

**//Literary Review//**

Samuel Collins, a professor at the Harvard Business School, stated that, “//Technology is one part of the complex of relationships that people form with each other and the world around them; it simply cannot be understood outside of that concept//." (Harvard Business School, 2009). This statement implies that human nature has influenced the direction of technological advancements to a severe degree. With the usage of social networking sites such as Facebook and internet gaming increasing in popularity at an almost exponential rate, it seems that life itself has stepped into cyberspace. The outcome of this transition however, is not necessarily a positive one. Problems such as internet addiction, increasingly violent behaviour and cyber bullying are only some of the detrimental products of the cyber age. Considering that social interaction is a key feature of the human race, it is evident that the will to socialize, combined with a contradictory inert desire to be lazy has created a system that has the potential to accentuate the worst aspects of people.

Internet Addiction has become increasingly prevalent in the last ten years with approximately 71.8% of Australian Households connected to the internet in 2009 (Australian Bureau Of Statistics, 2009). Activities such as online gambling, shopping and gaming have been found to be incredibly addictive and impulsive, as is similar with gambling addictions and alcoholism. A study conducted in China identified the portion of the population that is currently suffering an internet addiction as between 3 and 11% of internet users (Cantelmi Et Al, 2009). Internet Related Psychopathology (IRP) has a large presence in this century, causing behavioral problems in young children and teenagers within their critical developmental period. Starcevic (2009) describes the main aspect of IRP as excessive or compulsive internet use, along with preoccupation with and loss of control over the Internet use. He also identifies various adverse consequences of spending too much time on the Internet, such as neglecting social activities, relationships, health and work or school duties, and altering sleep and eating habits in a detrimental way as part of the symptomology of IRP.

 Furthermore, IRP has been known to produce feelings of increased rage, shortened patience and other aggressive behaviour (Starcevic, 2010). This is especially prevalent in children with IRP who participate in online gaming due to the violent nature of some games. A relationship has been uncovered between online gaming and personality disorders, such as narcissistic personality disorder and lowered self control. The study examined 1471 online gamers who were asked to fill out questionnaires relating to these personality disorders (Kim Et Al, 2006). This relationship can be extremely detrimental for development of social skills and learning compliance to social norms for children and adolescents (Cantelmi Et Al, 2009). For other IRP sufferers who do not play online games, their addictions lying in social networking sites, similar changes in behaviour have been reported. Stanford University Psychiatrist, Dr. Elias Aboujaoude found that IRP heightens levels of narcissism, anger, repression and sexual urges (Aboujaoude, 2009). This intensified sense of aggression may help to explain the elevated prevalence of cyber bullying practices in high schools, consequentially associating the human created social system of the internet and gaming circles with negative aspects of society.

Despite the lack of actual face-to-face interaction, Cyber bullying continues to be one of the most frightening forefronts for adolescents. Shockingly, studies conducted in Canadian high schools uncovered that nearly half of the cohort examined (49%) reported either being the victim of cyber bullying or have themselves participated in bullying other students online (Cook, M F, et al, 2010). The percentage of teens in this age bracket that reported ‘standard’ bullying practices (Hitting, pushing, stealing etc) being used against them was approximately 11% (//Family First Aid//, n.d) creating a stark contrast between the two. Similar statistics have been found in American, Australian and Japanese high schools. Bullying online is viewed as a more attractive option for potential bullies due to its anonymity and disregard for physical strength (Dooley, J Et Al, 2009). The absence of consequence enables bullying practices to continue for extended periods of time, which can cause suicidal thoughts and a feeling of hopelessness in the victims, often leading to the acts of self harm or suicide. One of the more sinister aspects of online bullying is that the victim is less likely to talk to someone about their ordeal due to fear that the technology that is readily available to them, and also to bullies, will be taken away (Campbell, 2009). Thus, it is evident that the technology we have developed to ease social interaction has indeed matched every aspect of human nature, bullying included.

<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">After examining the various problems associated with technology it is easy to conclude that the social nature of human beings are the sole creator of the problems this system creates. Services that new technology and the internet provide are initially introduced to make something easier, to fix an existing problem or to avoid one all together. The issue with this is that the problems that come out of these new developments often outweigh the benefits. Internet addiction, elevated levels of violent and aggressive behavior and cyber bullying are only some of the negative aspects of the technological age. Thus, technology used for means that can otherwise be performed without the aid of new gadgets, the internet or a videogame, is proving to be extremely damaging to the nature of society.

<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">**//Cultural and Social Analysis//**

<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">The society we have developed that depends so heavily upon technology is comprised of many groups and social trends that use, and alter, the internet and other technologies in varying ways. Technology advances has allowed for instant gratification in almost any media, from information to music, movies, photos, games and pornography. Dr William Bainbridge of the National Science Foundation (2004) even commented that Sociology’s natural domain would soon become the internet because that is where people are most social. The fact that the majority of the population possess a Facebook, MySpace account and have regular access to the internet is what Emile Durkheim called a social fact, or a way of acting like everyone else (Orcutt, 2008). Rather than creating an individualistic society as Social Networking was designed to do, the introduction of this new technology formed a uniform society defined by social facts. Durkeheim named this an 'organic society (Bolender Initiatives, 2008). However, the positive aspects of the movement must also be noted; medicine, research and organisation of people has been greatly benefitted. However, the main collective that is affected by this phenomenon, with a certain emphasis on social media and entertainment, are the youth (Joseph, 2008).

<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">Children now grow up in a world where information and entertainment are instantly accessible (Joseph, 2008). This instantaneous gratification may have negative effects on behavior of this societal group and should therefore be monitored extremely closely. As well as behavioral problems, children are faced with the obesity crisis. With the obesity level for children at nearly 20%, the younger generation is the fattest yet (Swift, 2009). Rather than going to the park or playing sport, children are communicating online via their household, and living a sedentary lifestyle. Eating habits are disturbed profoundly in children with an internet addiction (Neimen, 2010). Constant snaking at irregular times and increased consumption of alcohol and tobacco in teens are main causes for obesity in young people with internet addictions. The same can be said of children who exceed the recommended viewing time of television (Neimen, 2010).

<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">The issue of the expanding online network should be focused on to ensure that the detriment of the internet is controlled and monitored. Awareness, especially from parental or authority figures such as teachers, is crucial to prevent problems such as cyber bullying and to identify warning signs of IRP before personality disorders, such as narcissistic personality disorder, take hold. Discussion between parents, teachers and children are essential for raising awareness and to eventually solve the problem before it reaches astronomical heights through continued moderisation and globalization. Public Health Officers should examine what children and teens are participating in online by collaborating with school communities and families. Through information gathering on what young people do on the internet, it may be possible to develop strategies to deliver this need without having to be online for the bulk of the day.

<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">**//Artifact Analysis/Learning Reflection//**

<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">My Artifact tells a story of the ‘blame game’ of youth violence. It approaches the ‘who stole the cookie from the cookie jar’ mocktone with a sinister twist, winding through all the influences in a boy’s life that could have led him to shooting his school class. The people who state ‘you can’t blame me’ always give the excuse of technology as a reason as to why the boy may have committed the atrocity. The conclusion of the song explains that everyone had a role to play in shaping the boy’s desire to kill. Perhaps the most literal line of the song illuminates that we created this system; ‘We only receive what we demand, and if we want hell then hell’s what we’ll have’ (Johnson, 2002).

<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">Through analysis and reviewing literature on the topic, I have come to the conclusion that the rapid moderisation of society through the internet is mostly a negative change that needs to be down sized before our whole life is entered into a computer and we spend more time with a monitor and box than we do our family and friends. Personally, I believe that the best method to have fun and socialize is to go to the beach with friends, rather than talking to them on Facebook. I have learned that this issue is a lot bigger than I first imagined.

<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">I would turn on the TV <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">But it’s so embarrassing <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">To see all the other people <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">Don’t even know what they mean

<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">It was magic at first <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">The way we spoke without sound <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">But now this world’s gotta hurt <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">You better turn that thing down

<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">Well it wasn’t me said the boy with the gun <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">Sure I pulled the trigger but it needed to be done <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">Because life’s been killing me ever since it begun <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">You can’t blame me ‘cause I’m too young.

<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">You can’t blame me yeah the killer was my son <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">But I didn’t teach him to pull the trigger of the gun <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">It’s the images on his TV screen <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">You can’t blame, it’s those images he sees.

<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">You can’t blame me said the media man <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">I wasn’t the one who came up with the plan <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">I just point my camera at what the people wanna see <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">Man it’s a two-way mirror you can’t blame me.

<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">Well it wasn’t me said the singer of the song <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">And the maker of the movie which he bases life on <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">It’s only entertainment, as anyone can see <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">It’s smoke machines and makeup and you can’t fool me.

<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">It was you it was me it was every man, <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">We’ve all got the blood on our hands <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">We only receive what we demand <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">And if we want hell, then hell’s what we’ll have.

<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">I would turn on the TV <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">But it’s so embarrassing <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">To see all the other people <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">Don’t even know what they mean

<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">It was magic at first <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">That let everyone down <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">But now this world’s gotta hurt <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">You better turn it around

<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">Turn it around

<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">**//Bibliography And Reference List.//**

<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">Australian Bureau Of Statistics. (2009). Australian Social Trends. Retreived From: [|http://www.abs.gov.au/AUSSTATS/abs@.nsf/mf/4102.0?opendocument#from-banner=LN] 24th October 2011.

<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">Family First Aid. (n.d). School Bullying and Teen Bullying Statistics. Retreived from: [] on 24th October 2011.

<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">Dooley, J. Pyzalski, J. Cross, D. (2009). Cyberbullying Versus Face-To-Face Bullying: A Theoretical and Conceptual Review. //Journal Of Psychology, 217//, 182-188.

<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">Mishna, F. Cook, C. Gadalla, T. Daciuk, J. Solomon, S. (2010). Cyber Bullying Behaviours Among Middle and High School Stdents. //Am J Orthopsychiatry, 80:3//, 362-370.

<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">Starcevic, V. (2010). Problematic Internet Use: A Distinct Disorder or a Troublesome Behaviour? //Journal of The World Pschiatric Association, 9(2//): 92-97.

<span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">Campbell, Marilyn A (2005) Cyber bullying: An old problem in a new guise?. //Australian Journal of Guidance and Counselling// 15(1):68-76.

<span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">Swift, T. (2011). Let’s Talk About Me: Psychiatrist Worried About How Online Life Affects Us Offline. Retreived From <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">[]

<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;"> Kim EJ, Namkoong K , Ku T , Kim SJ. (2010). The Relationship Between Online Game Addiction And Agression, Self Control And Narcissistic Personality Traits. //Euro Psychology, 12(3//). 312-318

<span style="color: #262626; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">Joseph, L. (2007). Keeping Safe in Cyberspace. //Multimedia & internet@schools//, //14// (1), p. 17.

<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">Bainbridge, W. (2004). Cyberspace: Sociology's Natural Domain. //Contemporary Sociology//, 28, 6 , 664-667

<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">Neimen, P. (2010). //Health Implicatons Of Eating Irregularities Due To Internet Addiction//. Retreived from []

<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">Orcutt, J. (n.d). //The Anomie Tradition; Explaining Rates of Behaviour//. Retrieved From []

<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">Bolender Iitiatives. (2008). //Emile Durkheim//. Retrieved From http://www.bolenderinitiatives.com/sociology/emile-durkheim-1858-1917