### Reading Responses
## Feb 09 Fri - Catfishing and Scams

1. [Reading Responses (Set 1)] Is online dating all that safe? Is the spark we have with our matches really there? Or was it one big illusion the entire time, quite literally? To answer this, perhaps sometimes we can be misled in judging the authentic identity of someone we thought we knew behind the screen through catfishing scams. While catfishing goes beyond people trying to be someone else they aren’t, it can be dangerous! Most of the time these scammers plan to financially exploit the potential victim. In 2022, with the data collected, a whopping 34% of people lost crypto currency and 27% of bank wire transfers went to scams. So, when a person offers to invest, it’s most likely going to their pockets! Who’s most likely to fall victim to cases as such? Studies show that people who are less educated, older, people who are impulsive to a situation with an external locus perspective, trustworthy, gullible, and greedy are around the ranges that are prone to getting to a situation like this. However, to avoid this there are ways to detect who is a scammer. To start off, if they contact you first, have a profile that’s too good to be true, love bomb, never call, have strange communication, or ask for money, that's when you know you are probably communicating with a catfisher! Lastly, some characteristics these particular scammers are most likely associated with are narcissism, everyday sadism, machiavellianism, and while we mainly see more cases of women catfishing, it’s more common for men to orchestrate the majority of the scam cases. The moral story of this is to be careful when online dating, especially before giving out valuable information that can be used against you!

### Reading Response Set 2 of 2
## Feb 13 Tue - Haters
Over the last few years, I personally have faced a lot of online harassment and witnessed many people have “haters.” It is not only prevalent in celebrities, but it is also common between the ordinary. The articles by Joseph Reagle and Shannon Bond provide valuable insights into the realm of toxic behavior in the digital age, especially on online platforms, such as social media. In Reagle’s “Alienated: You fal it! Your skill it not enough!,” he delves into the dynamics of online interactions and how it can lead to hostility as well as alienation. He also talks about a new concept called trolling, which is common in today’s age. It is often hurtful to people, yet many people still engage with it. Reagle argued that these users, protected by anonymity, become more bold than they would be face to face. Bond’s “Facebook is now revealing how often users see bullying or harassing posts” reveals that since this form of bullying is occurring so much, Facebook has started to take measures to prevent bullying. After providing his readers with a sufficient amount of data, Bond emphasizes the constant challenge faced by social media companies in moderating content and fostering a safer environment for its users.

These readings highlight the complex web of factors that contribute to toxicity in the age of digital communication. Because of the anonymity and lack of consequences, some people feel empowered/motivated to engage in antagonistic behavior. While Reagle explores online alienation, Bond explores bullying on Facebook and the issues that these mega social media platforms face while attempting to shield its user-based. Together, Reagle and Bond emphasize the need to continue doing research and create proactive measures to address this issue to promote healthier online interactions.