Relationship

Technology, social media, and your teen

My children are in a very low-tech school. There are no televisions, computers or tablets in the classroom and cell phones are prohibited during the school day. Families are encouraged to keep their children screen-free in the early years (through age six) and for grades one through seven, limited screen time is recommended only on weekends. Our family has followed these guidelines since our children started school and we have rarely deviated from them.

Now that my daughter is 13 and in high school, the struggle to limit screen time and exposure to social media is real. Most of my daughter’s classmates have Instagram accounts and many of them are smuggling phones into the classroom, despite the “no tech” rule. She says that without her own account, she often feels disconnected from her classmates because she didn’t see the latest Instagram post everyone is talking about. Are we impeding your ability to socialize and communicate with your friends? Maybe this is simply Gen Z’s (Post-Millennial) way of getting closer to each other, like we did when we were teenagers when we pulled our long phone cords across the hall to our rooms to chat with friends all night. . This leaves me questioning my decisions and hoping that my husband and I are making the right decisions for our daughter when it comes to limiting exposure to social media and screens. And I also wonder why I feel like I am one of the only parents who still put up with it.

However, after recently watching the documentary Screenagers: Growing up in the digital ageI felt better about our decisions when I saw studies on the effects of excessive screen time and how it can harm young people’s physical brain development. Studies show a connection between too much screen time and reduced attention span, as well as an adverse impact on learning. Screenagers Filmmaker and mother, Dr. Delaney Ruston, documents the real pain her daughter feels when her cell phone is taken from her and reminds parents that teens cannot self-regulate when it comes to screen time and social media. Parents and caregivers should be the ones to set limits and consider writing a contract to regulate screen use if they choose to allow it. They should also be an example to children by being good role models themselves. And that means having your own guidelines for time spent on devices.

Another encouraging moment for me came at the end of the film, when a group of teenagers talk about how happy they are that their parents set limits and rules around screen time, saying they would probably be failing school if they did not. have clear boundaries. How refreshing. I think the most important thing to remember as a parent navigating the ever-changing frontiers of technology and social media is that you are still the shaper of your children’s future. If you put expectations on the food they eat, the grades they get, and the amount of sleep they need, why wouldn’t you do the same with media and technology? Food for thought. Who supports me?

Gaming

Nostalgia in games

Nostalgia. The word brings to mind a joyful familiarity that comes from participating in something in the present that we really enjoy doing in the past. The games are no different. Everyone has games that bring back memories of what we now consider better times. Hindsight is like the snob pointing out what he could have done, hindsight tells us that our childhood may not have been as bad as we thought. As adults we know how the world works. When we were growing up, we could never control the world. Hindsight tells us that those times were better, safer, and less complicated. Games that provoke nostalgia put us back in the mind of a child. It makes us feel safe, protected and protected. Human beings have a natural tendency to desire safety and security. Especially adults, because as adults we know how quickly the world can go from being fine one day to horrible the next. As gamers, we seek safety and security in games.

I started playing when I was very young, as most players my age did. I grew up playing Super Nintendo and Nintendo 64 with my mother and sister. Super Mario, Kirby and Mario Cart were some of the titles we played. Zelda was perhaps the most important game we played. My mom has a problem with fast-moving games like Call of Duty and other very graphic games. So we played Super Nintendo and what time it was! Zelda on Super Nintendo we beat many times. I say “we”, but it was my mother who was playing, not me or my sister. Even thinking about it as I write this, it makes me nostalgic. We kept getting closer to the end and then the game erased our save so we started over like three times. They were good times. That was when he was around six, seven or eight years old. A long time ago. Nostalgia gives us hope for the future. It tells us that if good times happened in the past, more good times will happen in the future.

Later I started playing on my own. It’s hard to think about which game came next in chronological order, but they all had a theme: single-player strategy. A broad game description that can be adapted to many games. Games like Pharaoh and Cleopatra, Age of Empires II, and of course Sid Meier’s Civilization III. I was not allowed to play shooters as they had bad language and was therefore restricted to single player games. My parents were very protective and games weren’t as frequent twenty years ago as they are now. Pharaoh is a city builder who places you in ancient Egypt. The objective of the game was to build large cities using the resources at your disposal and it was quite a challenge for an eleven-year-old boy. Age of Empires II is a real-time strategy game that is completely different from Pharaoh. You have to balance resource gathering and troop production to take down the AI ​​or other players. Civ III was probably my favorite game growing up. To this day, I continue to play Pharaoh and Age of Empires II.

Think back to what nostalgia is for a second. It is a feeling that comes from a memory. A memory of “better times” that may or may not be accurate. The games we played a long time ago, that bring back those memories, may no longer be fun. Civ III I played for hundreds of hours when I was younger, it’s not that much fun now that I’m older so I don’t play it as much now. Sometimes nostalgia lies.

In conclusion, nostalgia in games is a good thing. It allows us to relive parts of our childhood that we would not otherwise have a reason to retrieve from the depths of our minds. Many people say that video games lead to antisocial behavior, violence, and a drop in school grades. Video games teach us what the world is like. When you play the multiplayer of any game, you will generally encounter people who are simply toxic. He prepares to deal with the worst that society has to throw at us. Human beings are prone to violence. The first murder occurred when Cain killed Abel in Genesis. I’m pretty sure they didn’t have video games back then. So this point will always be moot. The only point that really makes sense is the drop in school grades. It takes a lot of discipline to do school work instead of video games. Build the character of this discipline. So the next time you feel nostalgia looming, take some time to stop and smell the memories. Enjoy the thoughts of better times and the hope that good times are yet to come, no matter what the world tells you in the present. This is what nostalgia for video games teaches us.

Health Fitness

Proper nutrition for runners

Runners need a high level of nutrition. This nutrition must be able to satisfy a runner’s need for energy, body development and metabolism. What differentiates amateur runners from professionals is their nutrition and dietary intake. So if you want to compete, adapt your diet to your physical and exercise needs.

Running in training and in competitions does not have many differences, so what you need to eat for both activities is also similar. Here are some ways to manage your nutrition for each phase of your running activity:

Pre-exercise

A couple of hours before starting your exercise, consume plenty of energy in about a full plate. Good energy foods consist of complex carbohydrates, such as brown rice, corn, and potatoes. Provide additions of fiber sources such as vegetables and fruits for vitamins. Eating antioxidant-rich fruits in the morning will also refresh your body and improve your running endurance. Do not forget to hydrate yourself by consuming at least 400 ml of water after eating. You can also drink water a couple of minutes before running, but in smaller portions. Reduce your intake of protein and sugary foods before exercising as this can affect your performance, whether for training or competition. You should run for at least three hours after taking this nutrition. If you are late for your exercise, add more carbohydrates at least an hour before your run.

During exercise

For every hour of exercise, be sure to fill your body with enough energy by consuming between 30 and 50 grams of carbohydrates. Good carbohydrates come from whole foods. They are very easy to digest and will provide energy for a long period after consumption. An average person should be able to reach between five and 10 kilometers in an hour running. So if you haven’t reached that distance yet, you don’t need to rest to eat during your exercise. To rehydrate, drink a water every 15 to 20 minutes. It is advisable to drink isotonic water, which has the same composition as the body fluid. If you only drink white water, you will feel tired because you do not consume enough mineral salt for your metabolism.

After exercise

Once you’re done, eat quickly to speed up your recovery and reduce any chance of injury. Consume between 10 and 20 grams of protein along with between 20 and 50 grams of carbohydrates according to the intensity of your exercise. Always prepare your post-run food before starting your running exercise.

Legal Law

Yogi Berra Biography, Stories, and Career Highlights

Yogi Berra was not only a Hall of Fame receiver for the New York Yankees, but he was also a spirited cheerleader, to say the least. Berra is a rare social commentator who can assess a situation in a way that you will surely never forget. Yogi once said, “You can observe a lot just by looking.”

Many of Yogi’s “observations” are now used in our daily lives. Some of the yogi quotes are:

  • “A penny is no longer worth a penny”
  • “It’s not over until it’s over.”
  • “Half of the lies they tell about me are not true.”
  • “How can you think and hit at the same time?”
  • “I never said most of the things I said.”

As a receiver, Berra was unmatched during his time. He could jump out of his squat like a wildcat, turning touches into double plays and twisting pop-ups into easy outs. From 1957 to 1959 he was bug-free in 148 games. During that time he handled a record 950 chances behind the plate without a single error.

As a hitter, Yogi Berra broke almost every American League catcher power record. He drove pitchers crazy with his ability to get big hits from bad pitches outside the strike zone.

The Yankees had tremendous teams from 1949 to 1955. It was Berra who led the Yankees in each of those seasons. Five times he drove in more than 100 races in a season. For 10 consecutive years, he hit 20 home runs or more. He did all of this without being a strikeout hitter. In one season (in 1950) he had 597 at-bats, but he only struck out 12 times.

Did you know

  • Yogi Berra was the second man in Major League Baseball history to handle his own son. In 1985, his son Dale Berra became a Yankee.
  • He was highly admired for his business sense. He invested in everything from bowling alleys to YooHoo during the 1950s. All of his investments made him a rich man.
  • Yogi won pennants as manager of the 1964 Yankees and the 1973 New York Mets.

Yogi Berra Timeline Biography

  • Born: May 12, 1925 in St. Louis Missouri
  • 9 years: Yogo sold 300 newspapers to help his family.
  • 15 year old Friends called him “Yogi” because he looked like a character from a movie.
  • Age 17: Signed by the New York Yankees for $ 90 a month
  • Age 21 – Joins the Yankees at the end of the 1946 season
  • 1952: Sets the American League home run mark for a catcher.
  • 1955: wins third MVP award
  • 1958: catch the entire season without mistakes
Lifestyle Fashion

Five best ways to develop your skills to cope with the death of a loved one

Does the pain you are experiencing seem to be relentless? Is there no end in sight? That feeling is not unusual for many. A common experience for bereaved is not being able to find a nurturing support system, the confidence to deal with change, and reliable information to help them deal with their loss.

There is a good reason for this. At its core, education on how to cope is almost non-existent, until a major loss occurs. Then the search begins at a time when the disorganization and stress of grief is high.

However, it is never too late to begin the task of discovering that there is a wide range of normality between grieving reactions, that there are proven ways to cope with the loss while it persists, and that despite your deep grief, you can learn. to face your emotions and find tranquility.

Where to start?

1. Begin by considering friends and family who have suffered similar losses and how they have coped. It is perfectly normal and smart to humbly seek the wisdom of others. Reach out and don’t let your pride stop you. There is a lot of experience out there. Ask specific questions, weigh the benefits and drawbacks of the answers, then decide whether you want to use what you’ve heard or let it slide as not applicable to your situation.

2. Search the bereavement literature for some of the high-quality resources available. Brochures and articles on grief abound. You will find a wide variety of materials at your library, local hospice, or on the Internet. You may not feel like reading anything at the beginning of your grief. If so, come back to this resource later. There is so much information just from reading that it can help you. Again, choose what rings true to you and discard the rest.

3. Be willing to join a grief support group. A lot of information will be presented to you. For example, many mourners do not realize that there are many secondary losses in addition to the greater loss that must be acknowledged and regretted. In addition, you can learn a lot from other mourners who are at different stages of their grief. Remember that the structure of connections you have is unique to you and no one else. You will feel who to talk to about your feelings and who to ask for advice.

4. Be aware of the harmful grief myths you believe in. Here are some of the most common: you should get over the pain in a few weeks; crying is a sign of weakness; the grievance only affects the emotions; you are supposed to release the person who died; you will be your old self again. Remember, all beliefs have a powerful effect on behavior, often without your knowing it. There is nothing wrong with discarding unviable beliefs.

5. Visit a complaint counselor. Write your list of questions before you go. Don’t just go to anyone who gives advice. Look for a professional whose primary counseling burden is with people who are grieving. Check out the Association for Death Counseling and Education (www.adec.org) to find grief counselors in your area. They can help you uncover your strengths, myths that prolong pain, and remove obstacles to reducing the intensity of your pain.

As you develop coping skills to deal with your loss, rest assured that specific information to help you is available. But you must act at the most difficult moment to find out. Follow your heart. We need each other; And in a time of great loss it is not a sign of weakness to seek help and, through trial and error, go through the grieving process and the growth it can surely bring.

Pets

How to get rid of pesky aquarium snails

Although snail pests in the aquarium are not one of the most serious fish problems you will face throughout your journey, they can turn into a huge headache if you don’t know how to effectively keep their numbers as low as possible. Fortunately, there is a very easy way to get rid of snails in your fish tank setup – all you will need is a piece of lettuce or zucchini!

Once you have chosen the type of vegetable you want to use to get rid of snails, you will need to blanch it. By doing this, you will accomplish one of two things: 1) the veggie chunk will be soft enough for the fish to eat it, and 2) it will sink to the bottom of your fish tank with very little effort. The easiest way to blanch a piece of lettuce or zucchini is to microwave it for several seconds. Just be sure to use a microwave safe container!

After the veggie chunk is ready to eat and sinking in, you’re ready to start getting rid of those snails! In fact, the whole process is essentially done once you’ve thrown the lettuce or zucchini into the fish tank. You should let it sit in your tank long enough for the snails to be attracted to it; this generally takes no more than a few hours.

Once you see a sufficient number of snails in the chunk of veggie you added, you can scoop it out and throw it away. Just remember not to get too excited when you go to get them out of the tank; quick movements will only shake them off and they will go back to their gravel.

While this won’t completely eliminate snails in your fish tank setup, it will barely make you even notice they are there. In fact, you may find that instead of viewing them as one of those dreaded fish problems, you actually enjoy having some of the pest snails present to act as additional cleaning equipment for your aquarium. Just remember to use this method at least once or twice a week – less than that and you won’t be able to stay ahead of your growing snail population!

Real Estate

Real estate investment, college housing properties

Are you brand new or are you just getting your feet wet with real estate investing? I am a real estate agent, my friends and I watch HGTV. Let me tell you that there are many ways to invest in real estate. I think a lot of potential real estate investors watch shows on how to move and misjudge the process. It’s more work than most investors expect. Doing your own repairs can save money, but many investors are not general contractors.

In conversation, friends and clients interested in real estate investing often ask me where to start. I ask them if they have considered college housing for rental income.

Some who would not have the necessary funds for renovations. That can be a problem, but it is not something that the average person cannot overcome. FHA loans have guidelines and restrictions for lending to investors. You can have two non-investor residential loans in Ohio. Properties must be at least 50 miles apart. There are FHA loans for investors and a slightly higher interest rate. FHA 203k loans are for distressed properties and include up to $ 35,000 for repairs.

The great thing about FHA loans is that they only require a 3.5% down payment. You should know that loans with a down payment of less than 20% require PMI or private mortgage insurance. This is a premium charged by lenders and a federal regulation that protects lenders in the event of a borrower default.

Investors should understand that when you are financing, you are not allowed to do the repairs yourself. It is prohibited and it is Federal Law. This protects markets from decline, as many buyers do not complete necessary repairs, reducing property values. It also protects lenders. If a borrower defaults, the lender would rather have a finished and updated property than a sore eye on their books.

Now you understand more about financing real estate investments in college housing. Now let me tell you why college housing is attractive to real estate investors. The rent is always going to go up. Getting a college education is expensive, not all students want to live in a fraternity. Keeping up with current rental rates, but renting rooms for a price equal to or slightly less than the current rate will ensure good occupancy.

In Cincinnati, there are numerous universities and college campuses. An investor would have no problem finding potential properties in Cincinnati for college housing.

Many students make their way through college and get jobs near their school. Some students really want to save on gas and car insurance. Finding affordable housing close to school and work is very attractive to them. Even better if they can walk, bike, or bus to their destinations.

Advertising your university housing is easy and even free. Just list your rental properties in the schools. Talk to key figures like the debate team leader, the quarterback, or the college newsletter or blog.

I like helping new real estate investors, I have no problem with small private investors acquiring property to use as college housing for rental income. What I don’t like is the big capitalized real estate investment firms that rush in, buy all the properties they can at a discount, and charge a premium to students.

There is an interesting debate on this. I found an article “The Dorm Debate” in the New Jersey Monmouth University student-run online newspaper “The Outlook.” In this article, college students pose the question; Should Universities Provide Affordable College Housing?

Shopping Product Reviews

The easiest way to measure a fireplace grate

Making sure you have the correct measurements is a vital process when purchasing a new fireplace grate. We will go through the process to get the correct measurements for a new fireplace grate.

You will need a few things to help you:

Tape measure for the correct measurements, paper to write down those measurements, and a pen or pencil to write on, and depending on the light levels in your room, a flashlight can help. We also recommend that you wear some clothes that you don’t mind getting dirty, because chances are high that you will get dirty and sometimes it is difficult to remove soot from clothes.

Step 1: measure the width:

Measure the width of your fireplace opening at the back of your fireplace and record this measurement. Make sure you go back as far as possible to get the most accurate dimensions, this is where the flashlight can come in handy.

Measure the width of your fireplace opening at the front of your fireplace and record this measurement.

Now that you have both the width of the back and the width of the front, subtract 6 inches from each dimension. If, for example, your front width is 42 inches, then you would subtract 6 inches, giving you a final width of 36 inches. If the rear width is 38 3/4, I would round to the next whole number and then subtract 6 inches for the final 32 inches.

You will need the back width to make sure you are buying the correct rack size as they can be found in various backrest widths. Some chimneys have a radical cone and some chimneys have no cone.

NOTE: The most common mistake when ordering a fireplace grate is looking only at the front width and ignoring the rear width on a tapered fireplace. This usually ends in a costly return after you pay for shipping. Make sure to confirm all measurements before ordering.

Keep in mind that fireplace grates are classified by their front width, you may need to search several sizes before finding one that will fit your fireplace.

Step 2: measure the depth:

Measure the depth of your fireplace from the fireplace door, or from the beginning of the fireplace opening, and record this measurement.

Now that you have your depth dimension, subtract 6 inches from this measurement.

Ideally, you want to have approximately 3 “on all sides of the louver to ensure proper feature and airflow.

Step 3 – Find your grid:

With these dimensions, you now have a guide to get started looking for a new fireplace grate! We hope this short article has been valuable to you.

Tours Travel

Sun Country Vacations overview of destination options, airline, resorts and more

Sun Country Airlines has been offering excellent vacation packages for the past few years. The plane has come a long way since its humble maiden voyage in 1983 between Sioux Falls and Las Vegas. It currently offers flights to nearly 40 destinations in North America and the Caribbean, with many convenient nonstop flights. If you’re looking for a cheap but fun travel package, consider a Sun Country vacation.

Here is an overview of some of the vacation deals that you will find with this company:

• Combined offers from Mexico and the Caribbean

• Holidays in Mexico

• Vacation in the Caribbean

• Holidays in the USA.

• Holidays in Costa Rica

There are also UFly rewards that are available to members who earn points. You may want to consider becoming a UFly member if you plan to travel a lot.

You can also book a car rental with the purchase of a flight and / or hotel package to cities in the 50 US states.For large groups (10 or more), trust the company’s Groups Department, as Let the experts help you organize a personalized travel experience. Rent a vehicle from Enterprise, National or Alamo.

Sun Country vacations include some pretty nice resorts like Melia Hotels International, RIU, and Royal Hideaway Luxury Hotels & Resorts. Some hotels are family-friendly and others are for adults only. There are a variety of options for you to choose from, no matter what destination you choose.

For America vacations, Sun Country just added two new destinations to its growing list: New Orleans and Santa Barbara. Other destination options include Orlando, Las Vegas, Fort Meyers, New York City, and Hawaii. Flight schedules are usually available 6 months in advance. You can sign up to receive an email each time there are new vacations available. Economy class passengers receive complimentary beverages and first class passengers get a wide variety of complimentary snacks, meals and beverages.

Sun Country Vacations Modifications

The number of nights you can stay varies by package, hotel, and flight schedule. The average number of nights booked through Sun Country vacations is eight. While it’s always ideal to book well in advance, these vacation packages are available to book up to 72 hours before departure time.

If you don’t want to rent a car, some of the packages include round-trip transfers between the hotel and the airport. There is the option to add a travel protection plan that covers lost / damaged luggage, 24-hour medical assistance (worldwide), price protection, etc.

One of the main reasons people choose Sun Country vacations is because of the affordability. These are some of the least expensive travel packages available, and you can expect to have a great time!

The best partners for Sun Country Airlines are travel websites. It’s the place to go whenever you need to book a vacation to any destination. With online coupon codes, you can get an even better deal on your trip. You won’t find better discounts on Sun Country vacations anywhere else.

Technology

Blogging: are you exposing yourself to legal liability?

In November 2006, Blogging Asia: A Windows Live Report published by Microsoft’s MSN and Windows Live Online Services Business revealed that 46% or almost half of the online population has a blog. [Blogging Phenomenon Sweeps Asia available at PRNewswire.com].

Blogging Asia: An online Windows Live report was made on the MSN portal in 7 Asian countries, namely Hong Kong, India, Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan, and Thailand. Interestingly, the report found that 56% of Malaysians blogged to express their views, while 49% blogged to keep friends and family updated.

However, this article focuses on Malaysian law, as the Internet transcends borders and jurisdictions, so the laws of many countries may apply. In Malaysia, bloggers face legal risks that carry civil or criminal liability such as;
(a) copyright;
(b) trademark;
(c) defamation; Y
(d) sedition.

Aside from the above, a blogger must consider other legal risks such as fraud, breach of confidentiality, and misrepresentation, which will not be addressed in this article.

Copyright protects the way in which artists or authors express their idea or fact in a work, but not the underlying idea or fact itself. Copyright protects the originality of the work and prohibits unauthorized copying. Copyright protection is eligible for the following works; Please refer to Section 7 (1) of the Copyright Act 1987: –
(a) literary works, such as written works, novels, source codes in computer programs and web pages, and content in multimedia productions;
(b) musical and dramatic works, such as musical scores, plays, and television scripts;
(c) artistic works, such as drawings, sculptures, and photographs; Y
(d) sound recordings and films, such as films (traditional celluloid and various video formats), music, theater or conference records, tapes and CDs.

Unfortunately, much of the copyright infringement that occurs on the Internet goes unnoticed. New blogs sometimes use existing blogs for their content and this is done by copying or linking. Other than that, posting copyrighted photos, designs, product photos, or product packaging from another website is also illegal.

There are “rules of thumb” to follow when creating or posting content, such as: – (a) create your own original image, graphic, code, and words; (b) use licensed works within the scope of permitted use established by the owner; and (c) use free images from the Internet as long as the image creator’s terms are followed.

The same “general rules” apply when publishing programming scripts, as it is usually a copyright law violation to appropriate third-party programming scripts. With respect to one’s blog posts by third parties, the blog owner may receive an implied license for posts made by third parties. When offering podcast, that is, downloadable recorded audio files for download from blogs, it is best that the podcast does not contain any copyrighted music that belongs to others, thus protecting yourself from any lawsuits for copyright infringement.

If copyright protects the way ideas or facts are expressed, the trademark, on the other hand, protects the words, designs, phrases, numbers, drawings or images associated with products and services.

The owner of a trademark enjoys the exclusive right to use his trademark in connection with his products and services. See Section 35 (1) of the Trademark Act 1976. Trademark protection gives the trademark owner the right to prevent others from using an identical trademark with identical or similar products. products that may cause confusion to the public, see Section 19 (1) and 19 (2) of the Trademark Act 1976.

How does a blogger infringe the trademark that belongs to another? An example is when a blogger posts links on logos that belong to a trademark owner. When a visitor clicks on the trademark, it will take them directly to the blogger’s blog instead of directing the visitor to the website of the trademark owner.

Such a link may cause confusion or deception as it poses a serious risk that the blog is in any way connected or related to the products and services of the trademark owner.

Generally, the term defamation refers to a false statement about someone or an organization that damages their reputation. The person posting the statement must have known or should have known that the statement was false. While the Internet provides the setting where defamation statements can be made or published, there is no specific legislation dealing with defamation on the Internet in Malaysia.

In Malaysia, the Defamation Act 1957 applies to publications in printed matter and broadcast on radio or television. Since the law applies to published or disseminated materials, in principle it applies to materials such as blogs and websites published on the Internet.

As defamation law is complex, it is necessary to distinguish whether a defamatory statement is libel (written form) or libel (spoken words). In a defamation case, if the statement is found to be defamatory, there are presumptions against the author or publisher. In the case of defamation, there is often a requirement to prove actual damages or special damages suffered due to the defamatory statement. Therefore, the slander law does not apply to blogs, since it does not fall within the scope of the dissemination of slander on radio or television.

Due to the rapid changes on the Internet and the convergence of technologies, one will wonder if the courts will apply the defamation law or the defamation law when blogs converted from text to speech format are broadcast on the Internet. However, this all depends on proving defamation and finding the blogger’s identity, which can be a daunting task due to the anonymity of the internet and its global reach.

Another legal risk is when blogs are used to spread false, incomplete or misleading information about race riots or content that causes hatred or contempt towards the government or the ruler. In Malaysia, various offenses are provided for in the Sedition Act of 1948, such as it is an offense for any person to print, publish or distribute any seditious publication; see Section 4 of the Sedition Act of 1948 for other offenses. It has not been judicially determined whether the provisions of the law apply to Internet publications.

In Singapore, the sedition law was enforced in 2005, where the Singapore court jailed two users for posting seditious comments on the Internet. Two jailed for “sedition” on the Internet, South China Morning Post, Saturday 8 October 2005. The South China Morning Post that the case is considered a landmark case that underscores the government’s attempts to regulate expression online and crack down against racial intolerance. The two cases represent the first time Singaporeans have been prosecuted and convicted for racist expression under the Sedition Act.

Based on the case of racist bloggers, on November 8, 2006, the Government of Singapore proposed changes to its Penal Code, taking into account the impact of technology such as the Internet and mobile phones; See Singapore Home Office Consultation Document on Proposed Penal Code Amendments on page 2. The amendments cover offenses committed by electronic means such as Section 298 (speaking words etc. with the deliberate intention of hurting religious feelings of any person) to also cover the hurts of racial sentiments, Section 499 (defamation) and Section 505 (statements leading to public harm) to expand and include those “published in written, electronic or other media”, see Singapore Penal Code Bill (Amendment) at pages 8-20. These amendments, once passed, empower police and state prosecutors to prosecute those with offensive blogs Cf.Sections 298, 499 and 505 of the Malaysian Penal Code (revised in 1997).

There are reasons why authorities take blogging seriously, as half of the people who participated in Blogging Asia: a Windows Live Report survey believes that blogging content is as trustworthy as traditional media, and a quarter Some of the respondents believe that blogs are the fastest. way of knowing news and current affairs.

With such reliance on blogs, content that contains false, incomplete, or misleading information posted on blogs can not only cause panic, anger, contempt, or political scandals; it can also cause political and economic instability.

The Internet presents challenges to existing laws that are slow to provide adequate protection to a party regarding the use and content of blogging. Currently, codes of practice for Internet users, including bloggers, have not been proposed as part of the Internet regulatory regime currently operating in Malaysia.

Instead, bloggers should practice self-regulation and understand the legal implications of blogging to make sure their blogs are written responsibly and legally. To protect themselves, bloggers may provide appropriate terms of use and disclaimer to offer some degree of convenience and protection from third-party posts on their blogs.

For those bloggers who are not aware of the legal risks, efforts should be made to educate and raise awareness among those bloggers. Perhaps the social responsibility lies with internet service providers and website service providers to create a blogging code of ethics to educate their bloggers to be ethical with their readers, the people they write about, and the legal ramifications. of their actions.

First published in Current Law Journal, part 2 April [2007] 2 CLJ i