The New Information Technologies (NIT) and the Risks for the Coming Generation

1. Alexander Dimchev, Sofia University, Bulgariadimchev@sclg.uni-sofia.bgPlamen MiltenoffSt. Cloud State University, Minnesotapmiltenoff@stcloudstate.edu The New Information Technologies (NIT) and the Risks for the Coming Generation

2. The New Information Technologies (NIT) and the Risks for the Coming Generation Plan • The history and lessons of human communications • The humanity in the era of the Internet • Conditions in Bulgaria • Repercussions of the conditions on the coming generation • Steps to alleviate existing problems

3. The history and lessons of human communications • The history of human civilization provides examples about the influence of different communication channels and media over the individual and the entire society. • Books / Libraries • Radio / TV non-codified, not-suitably-delivered-for-their-age information; information that can harm their regular development and socialization.

4. the new information technologies (NIT) • Profound changes in the society • Access to information paramount • Standard of living dependant on NIT • Information on the Internet • Media Production • Games • CD and DVD production

5. the new information technologies (NIT) (continue) • The digital divide • the global aspect • Affluent countries are 15% of the countries in the world • They preside over 85% of NIT • 60-86% of rich countries citizenry with PCs • The rest in the rich countries, access through libraries, schools, etc.

6. Conditions in Bulgaria • Bulgariahas a population 8.5 million (census, 2002) and a territory of 110,993.6 sq. km. (44,365 sq. mi.). • In Bulgaria, 17.3%, which translates to only 1.61 million people have access to the Internet; compared to the NSI data of March, 2004, when only 11% had access.

8. Conditions in Bulgaria • According to the NSI data from the beginning of 2004, only 17.5% of the population uses computers. Of the population with access to PC and the Internet only 37% do it at home. • Every second person of those having access to computer technologies uses PC at work. 39% of the population in this category uses also the Internet. The rest from that category uses the technologies at school and/or at the university: 14% use PC and 10% use the Internet. • 23% of the population in Bulgaria that uses PC and 35% of the Internet users are completing the task at cyber cafes/computer halls. • 23% of the urban population uses computers versus 5% of the country population. 14% of the urban population has access to the Internet, versus 2% of the country population.

9. Impact on the coming generation • The inappropriate use, application and dissemination of information technologies pose a greater risk among young people. • International organizations, government institutions, none-governmental establishments, psychologists, sociologists, police institutions, etc., are working actively to overcome these threats to young people. • What are the dangers and what can be done to protect young people?

10. Impact on the coming generation • Dissemination of information endorsing violence, infringing citizens’ rights and breaking the low. • Verbal harassment. • Hacking and cracking of information sources and computer systems. • Propaganda of various religions and sects. • Dissemination of ideas related to racism and xenophobia. • Make public personal information, which can put in danger the person. • Dissemination of pornographic information and the danger of children involvement. • Financial scams. • Illegal traffic of kidnapped children. • De-socialization of grown-ups as a result of constant presence in the “virtual space” • Confusion among grown-ups about real issues and values in the society, etc.

11. Impact on the coming generation • the trends above are a reflection of the maturity and commitment of the society and the government toward its future generation and are discussed further as follows • the advent of the new information technologies can bring the long desired prosperity to the region, where Bulgaria also belongs to. • considering that NIT is embraced mostly by young and vulnerable people, the chaotic advent of NIT causes certain harm to the coming generation of young people. • In this field resides a great responsibility of the library and information specialists to guide, mentor and educate users of the new information technologies.

12. Steps to curb the risks for young people in the virtual space • prevention, not restriction • the government institutions and local authorities are in dept to the young generation • specialists from related fields, such as psychology, ethics, sociology, semiotic, psycholinguistic, etc., need to understand the importance and start researching the new information technologies and their impact on the society

13. Conclusions and discussion • The “flat” world and the digital divide • Cooperation on a larger scale? • Exchange of experiences and tactics • Questions and discussion

14. Questions / Discussion Paper available at: http://web.stcloudstate.edu/pmiltenoff/ioc_2006/balance_nit.doc Alexander Dimchev, Sofia University, Bulgariadimchev@sclg.uni-sofia.bgPlamen MiltenoffSt. Cloud State University, Minnesotapmiltenoff@stcloudstate.edu