91�ȱ�

People using social media often post messages that include images they have found on the internet. Discuss the implications of such posts.

The following example has been taken from an AQA past paper. It reflects the type of question that may appear in an exam paper.

How to tackle the question

The question can be broken down into four key points:

1. Identify the stakeholders
2. Identify any technology involved
3. Identify any potential issues associated with the topic, such as social, cultural, legal and environmental concerns
4. Describe the effects of those issues on the stakeholders

Identify the stakeholders

In the context of this question, the stakeholders could be:

• the owner of the images
• users who post those images
• users who view the posts that contain these images
• social media companies

Identify the technology involved

In the context of this question, the technology could be:

• the internet
• smartphones
• 4G phone network coverage and wireless networks

Identify the issues associated with the topic

In the context of this question, the issues could be:

• legal - some images are copyrighted
• legal - permission may be required to distribute copyrighted images
• legal - certain images are only available on a fee-paying basis
• social - images may be of an unsuitable or offensive nature
• social - images may be of a bullying nature
• cultural - The technology involved means fast and widespread sharing of images

Describe how the issues may affect the stakeholders

In the context of this question, the implications could be:

• The user is breaking the law under the Copyright Designs and Patents Act if the images are copyrighted and the user does not have permission from the copyright holder to distribute them. This could lead to a fine or a prosecution for the user.
• If the images are part of an image library, or have a fee for usage, the creator of the images may suffer from a loss of revenue.
• If the images are of an unsuitable nature, they may offend or upset anyone who sees the post. This, in turn, may lead to the poster receiving offensive messages, or being in trouble with the police.
• The images may be used to cyberbully a person. They may also invade a person's privacy. This could have a distressing impact on the person being bullied.
• The post containing the images may spread across the internet very rapidly. 4G coverage and wireless networks allow people to upload posts, view them and share them, and a post can 'go viral' very quickly. This can increase the severity of the effects on stakeholders.
• Technology companies who own the various social media may be criticised for allowing the rapid and widespread sharing of such images. This, in turn, might affect their reputation and may hurt their business.

It is important to state the issues clearly and to comprehensively explain the effects they may have on stakeholders. Your answers should show a good level of written English. Where possible, include relevant technical terms like the names of relevant laws, for example, the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act.