News Words: Information society <><><><><><><><><> The BBC's Clare Arthurs looks at some of the words and phrases

often used in the news and their meanings in various contexts. -----------1) information technology (IT) the study of and use of computers and related systems for storing and using electronic information Example: Young people say computer use is one of their favourite activities "School u se of information technology can be very scheduled - it's often structured aroun d particular lessons, " he says ... (BBC News) -----------2) the information superhighway the internet and connected computer networks Example: A multi-million pound technology initiative places rural Wales firmly in the fast lane of the information superhighway ... (BBC News) -----------3) information overload a situation when you get so much information you are not able to think about it all clearly and it makes you tired and or confused Example: Phew, information overload. There's so much information about allergies it c an all be a bit overwhelming. (BBC Switch) -----------4) infotainment a style of television programme which is a combination of information and en tertainment Example: Strange that the Royal Family would not want folks to see this remarkable pi ece of infotainment ... (BBC News) ============ A challenge for you. Some people are worried these days that the information society makes it more di fficult for us to protect our privacy. Do you think that your data is safe online or are you concerned about this too? Send us your short 'news story' on this topic and don't forget to use the phrase 'information society'. We'll publish our favourites on this page. This topic has now closed. Thanks for all your comments. --Eliza, China I'll only talk about my own experience: I had used my real name on the internet, and my age, city and other information on my profiles were true. I also had use only one username on different sites. Once a contact on my msn searched my user name on Google, then he knew my real name, address, phone number, posts on forum s, blogs and other things. He told me about it, and warned me. It was when I rea lized that how unsafe and scary to put your real information on the internet. No w I've canceled all of my accounts, and deleted all of my information only to pr otect my privacy. I think people may not open their profiles unless they're cele brities, or who wants to be famous. Sheyla, Germany The information society has the problem to protect privacy on the one hand and t o give freedom on the other hand. It is, in my opinion, better to be concerned a

bout the data especially the issue of online banking. It would be a bad surprise to realize that somebody unauthorized has got this sensitive data of yours! But the possibility of, for example, online banking is so worthy that it would be u neffective for the information society to let it be. Security and protection is the most important thing in the www. Every user should insist on a safe usage wi th his data. This will be a signal that can't be unheard. Then the freedom of th e users will become real. Tatuli, Georgia Look around. Do you see how many cameras watching you? They are in every corner. What for they are needed? To keep you from doing something wrong from one side and to protect you from another. It is the same with Internet. Information techn ology must have something to keep some people from wrongdoing in Internet and th erefore to protect the rest of them. But the best way to protect yourself is to remember that Internet is a public place and not you closet Erzsike, Hungary I consider the information society a double-edged weapon which has its advantage s and drawbacks as well. On the one hand it is useful, because more and more peo ple can share information, which makes developing of the human race faster and f aster. Firstly, being a private teacher, I also benefit from the advantages of t he Internet access. I've got my own homepage, where I can advertise my service i n a very effective way, more effectively than just placing an advertisement in a paper. I did that before, it doesn't work any more. People have to realise that in our age living without Internet access means backwardness that is failure to seize the opportunity given by the World Wide Web. Secondly, information societ y is a fast and cheap way of keeping touch with friends, families. Not only with distant people but also with close ones. There are several social networks such as Facebook and we've got Iwiw and Myvip, the two biggest ones here in Hungary. Thirdly, I couldn't imagine my work and my studies without the internet. Now, I 'm sitting here in front of the computer, writing this "short" comment on this i ssue while practicing my writing skills. I always force my students to use BBC L earning English, for I find this site the most prepared, competent, and of good quality. There are, however, a number of other good sites as well.On the other h and, information society has also its own dangers. As for privacy, you can not h ide if you are on the web. On the contrary, anybody, who has bad intention, can reach you. Let's think of e-banking, e-administration, e-mails, and social netwo rks where we have to use passwords. A hacker might steal necessary information f rom our computer with viruses to reach our bank account, after that the only thi ng we can do is to say sensitive farewell to our money. Many people's personal d ata are impudently open for public scrutiny, which may make them careless victim s of swindlers, hackers and other criminals. For this reason, I would never use my real identity on the internet. I want to enjoy its benefits maximally, but I protect - or at least I keep trying - myself from unknown and unnecessary evil.A ll things considered, information society is a very useful development of our mo dern world which has its own disadvantages. In the end, to answer your question: Nothing is safe online, and yes, I am concerned. Very, very concerned.