• List 3 people/organizations you follow and WHY. 
  @ Heartland because I love the show and like to see pictures and such of behind the scenes and what the actors are up to when they are not filming.
  @ BrockObama because he was the president.
  @ dhnews because I like to keep up with what is going around me in my town and the towns around me.
  I also follow friends and family to keep in touch because I don't get to see them much.
• What's the best "tweet” or status update you've seen lately? In other words, what were you tempted to "retweet” or "like”? WHY did that stand out to you?
  
  All of my social media feeds have been related to the fourth of July. I like to see picture of my friends and family and what they were up to for the holidays. I also like to see posts from the news, so I can see what is going on in the world around me. 
• Some experts talk about social media empowering people and strengthening democracy. Others aren't so sure, given a tendency to create our own "echo chambers." With your connections on Facebook, Twitter, Reddit, Instagram, Pinterest, Yahoo Fantasy Sports, Google+ or just through texting ... Do you feel social media has enhanced your ability to take action or participate in democracy, government or other activities? Discuss and give an EXAMPLE. Or spell out why you don't feel you need these social media, or even intentionally avoid them!
  
  I believe that social media has enhanced our ability to take part in democracy, government and other activities. When people are campaigning and make commercials, they put out the information they want you to see, but you can go on the internet and all the social media and see information about the person you're going to vote for. I know that there is a lot of lies and misinformation on the internet as well. Our current president on twitter posts different things and people are able to comment back to what he has to say, he can see people's thoughts and opinions on what is going on in our world. 

•  Sherry Turkle talks about us becoming more "connected" than ever before, and yet we may be setting ourselves up to become more isolated. Share your thoughts on Turkle's talk, including a few EXAMPLES. Have you, your family and others "reclaimed" areas of home, work or play for conversations -- or declared those spaces device-free zones? Have you taken steps to ensure that you are really listening to others?
  
  I agree with her when she was talking about how we want to be around people and wanting to be on our phones at the same time. She showed a picture of her daughter with her friends and they were together but all of them were on their phones and I see that around me all the time. I was at a birthday party and I took a picture and everyone was sitting around together but everyone was on their phones.
  
  I will admit I am on technology everyday, but when I invite people over, or if I go hang out with someone I give them my attention. If someone in my house starts talking to me, I put down my phone and listen to them. I will admit that I use my phone as a crutch. When I don't know anyone or I am in an uncomfortable situation I automatically go to my phone. We don't have a "phone free" zone but when we want to talk to someone who is on their phone we talk differently by making sure we get their attention first. Sometimes they will say hold on or you have to wait until I'm done doing what I am doing on my phone first. If you just start talking they will not hear you or pay attention. 

• When it comes to digital gaming ... How many games have you downloaded to your smartphone or computer? What games do you most enjoy playing (e.g. Fantasy baseball? Words with Friends? Candy Crush? League of Legends?) and WHY? 
  I have downloaded a lot of games to my phone and tablet over the years I have own them. I like to try new games so I download them, and if I do not like them, then I delete them and look for another game to play.
  
  Right now I like play sims free play and picture cross the most. I like Sims because I get to decorate different houses and put together different style of outfits and such. I like Picture cross because I like doing puzzles and figuring things out. 
  
  I also have games that my son likes to play on my phone, such as Pokemon go and red ball 4.
  
• How many hours a week do you think you spend on digital gaming and social networking? Do you feel like you are part of an online community? Discuss that "community" aspect of gaming. Or maybe you're too busy with other commitments/interests in your life ... and don't see the point of wasting so much time online or on the phone ... Say more about that ... 
  
  It depends on what is going on around me on how many hours a week I spend on my phone. When my roommate and my son are not home I spend more time on my phone then when my son is around. I also lay in bed by myself at night playing a game or on social media. I don't have a lot of people in my life so social media is one way I don't feel so alone. I would like to have more in person friends to hang out with and have fun with. My favorite part of my phone is my camera.