In 4 days, I will have been at my current (first real adult) job for 1 year.
And just when I was thinking that maybe my plan would be to make it the second year, then go gain some library experience, Compliance announces that they’re cutting off “access to personal web email on a Company-owned laptop or desktop device.”
Booooooooo.
Not cool, man. Also, it’s not clear if I will still be able to get to Google Calendar.
Ok, so this is just my initial reaction, and I know smart phones change a lot, and also, my reaction is totally Millenial. Which is not to say baby boomers and those in-between are not equally irritated about the change, but the extent to which I feel that this is my life being infringed upon is informed by (1) the technical environment in which I was raised and (2) the stereotypical values of my generation, including autonomy and emphasis on personal life.
Which is to say: Email is integral to my life, as I’m sure it is to most of yours. Almost all of my money is handled online, with email being a big part of that. My legal notifications are through email (taxes, dmv, etc). Heck, even my “prescription ready” notifications are emailed to me. It sounds dramatic, but there are actual ramifications to limiting and censoring internet access. And this isn’t even questionable content — it’s limiting basic communication that people are expected to have. We talk about this a lot in school — free internet, including access to email, is a huge reason that libraries are increasingly important, especially as more moves online. People need access to that method of communication to live their lives equitibly. Limiting internet access is limiting access to basic services.
So I’m irked. Because even if they mean well, for the best interests of the company, it’s censorship. And we already tolerate a fair bit of censorship for the company — social media, suggestive content, etc. Those things make some more sense, and probably are not going to impact your life to the same extent. But without email, my life — possibly my financial capability, my legal status, even my health — is actually impacted.
This is the world in which we live, and as it is a new world, we can decide what we will tolerate and where right and wrong lie.
P.S. It is also bogus that I can’t check my email, but I will still be able to write a blog. Just saying.
P.P.S. Mom, relax. I’m not making an rash decisions. I’m just evaluating my belief system as a young adult in the world.
Antelop 