Year 13: Weekly New/Digital Media homework

Are mobiles changing how we shop? - Telegraph

This article discusses how new industry data suggests that, for the first time, the majority of online shopping sales in the UK are now conducted through smartphones and tablets. This could be a seen as a milestone in our ever changing buying habits. A reason for this surge in shopping on-the-go could be because of the combination of the arrival of bigger screens on smartphones and improvements by retailers themselves in making their online shopping sites easier to use. Also, the fact that we are using smartphones for managing so much more with everyday life makes it understandable that the rate of completing purchases on retail sites would increase over the years. Despite the majority of customers being more likely to visit shops through their mobile phone than any other type of device, they are still more likely to make purchases on tablets.

• 51% of online sales between November and January in the UK involved hand-held devices rather than traditional computers or laptops - IMRG (Interactive Media in Retail Group), the trade body for internet retailers,
• 66% of visits to retail websites between November and January came through mobile devices - IMRG
• 49% of online sales came through traditional computers, whether desktops or laptops, with 51% on hand-held devices. That breaks down as 33% through tablet computers and 18% on smartphones.

Personally, I am not surprised at the fact that more people are completing purchases online through mobiles and tablets as I also do this myself. With our generation being raised in the digital age technology is quickly improving making it easier to buy things without the hassle, especially with mobile phones which have recently become "smart" making them a useful tool to have. Mobile phones and tablets are almost always with the person, so with it being easier to access and with there being improvements on mobile sites it is not surprising that many people are preferring mobile phones and tablets over computers. 

Culture secretary will raise issue of hate crime with newspaper editors - The Guardian

This article discusses how culture secretary, Karen Bradley, has said she will talk to newspaper editors about how they can tackle a rise in hate crime and improve social unit. The role the press have in creating a charged atmosphere that could contribute to hate crimes is discussed by the Labour MP Paul Blomfield during the parliamentary questions, and continues by saying “The media plays a big part in shaping public attitudes. They have a particular responsibility to reflect on the consequences of headlines and stories in provoking fear and anger between different groups". I agree with his statement as the majority of today's society read news articles and at some point do come across negative articles, and this will inevitably provoke hate and fear, which lowers the chance of social cohesion.

• 49% rise in incidents to 1,863 in the last week in July when compared with the previous year - National Police Chiefs’ Council
• Large sections of the press, led by the Daily Mail and Daily Express, had since the 2010 general election regularly lead with negative stories about refugees and asylum seekers - Research published earlier this month by the former Sunday Times journalist Liz Gerard 

I understand why there has been an increase in hate crimes as I have come across several articles that portray refugees for example in a very negative matter, and I believe that this contributes to the other factors that do fuel hate crimes. I also agree with the statements that Labour MP Paul Blomfield has made as the media does indeed play a major role in shaping public attitudes.