Growing Up Online
I happened to catch a PBS Frontline special called, “Growing Up Online” the other evening. I wanted to share the following as I found it so profound to what we are all try to grasp in the course. Here are a few quotes that caught my attention:
“1 in 7 teens are approached by online predators”
“Kids aren’t victims – but participants” (They further explained that often kids will agree to meet up with unknown “friends” from the internet knowing full well that it is dangerous). This is a potential great debate . . .any takers????
“The internet is always a willing listener.” Perhaps the most obvious, yet profound quote.
“The internet has created the greatest generation gap since rock n’ roll.”
I would love to have further discussion on any or all of these quotes. Please comment. If you are interested to watching the full program I believe you can access it at PBS.org – Impact of Internet on Adolescence.
Laurie replied:
You have brought up an important issue for educators to consider. A big part of me is the technology advocate. However, I do have reservations about the web 2.0 tools and you mentioned a couple. I don’t have any answers. However, as a parent of recent teenage boys who have just created Facebook accounts, I am worried about them…not that they are not using the technology appropriately but that they might not recognize an online predator. I try to discuss responsible use with them, but often wonder if I have done enough. I feel like right now I am mainly trusting that they have good morals and good common sense. It does leave a parent feeling a little helpless.
January 24, 2008 at 5:35 am. Permalink.
brbrl replied:
1 in 7? I doubt that, I am in the thinking it would probably be about… 1 in 15 possibly?
Rare is it that I would ever meet somebody in person that I met over the interweb
January 24, 2008 at 5:57 am. Permalink.
Rosanne replied:
I agree Laurie. I have also spoken to my teenager regarding online predators and other dangers. I monitor what my eldest son has online and I also trust that he has made good decisions regarding information to share. I have gone into his account (with him present) and have asked him to delete information I thought should not be included. It’s difficult to keep up with all that they have access to. I guess the only thing we can do is continue to speak and guide our children and hope that they are able to recognize a dangerous situation. Communication with our youth is extremely important in this day and age.
January 24, 2008 at 3:21 pm. Permalink.
Growing up Online - what are our youth facing? « Connie Cossar’s Tech”no” Blog replied:
[...] Angie Balkwill’s blog about the episode, she included some key quotes that rang out for her. The one that I am quickly [...]
January 24, 2008 at 10:49 pm. Permalink.