"Growing Up Online"

“Growing Up Online”

I think most parents have no idea what teens do online. It has become a world that teens can hide from their parents watchful eyes. Teens can say just about anything without worrying about using their true identify. It has become a social network that has a dark side, such as a place where teens can trade sex for drugs, and a place where teens use anonymity to post things about themselves and others.

The first girl posted pictures of herself in her underwear and sent them to her boyfriend and of course most of the time the boyfriends sends them to everyone else.

Another young girl was known as the “goth” girl at school.  She was depressed because she felt like she didn’t fit in anyplace. She began to post pinup pictures of herself online. She instantly became popular until students at school told the principle that she was posting nude photographs of herself. Her parents were called and informed of their daughter’s online activity. They had no idea of their daughter’s secret life. She became depressed and suicidal so her parents agreed that she could keep her website but no nude photos and they could monitor the website.

 Another group of teens snuck into a concert and got drunk. They took pictures of teens vomiting, doing drugs then they posed them on the internet. One of the boy’s parents found out so she decided to call some of the parents. Instead of grateful parents they were upset because this wasn’t any of her business. Even though the ER was full of underage kids with alcohol poising and kids over dosing that night.

I was not surprised or shocked by Frontlines “growing up online”. Since I have worked at a high school for many years now I am not surprised by too many things. It is shocking sometimes because you never know who the internet will suck into its clutches even an honor roll student. Parents beware and never say never.

QUESTIONS:

1.A survey by the Pew Internet & American Life Project found that in 2004, 67 percent of parents said the Internet has been a good thing for their children. However, this number decreased to 59 percent in 2006. In 2012, 69% of parents of online teens said they were concerned about how their child’s online activity might affect their future academic or employment opportunities, with some 44% being “very” concerned. Cite some reasons why parental support for their children’s independent internet use is decreasing. Why do you think the number of parents who reported the Internet being a good thing for their children has decreased?

In 2004, 67 percent of parents said the internet has been a good thing for their children because they saw the internet as a learning tool. The internet is a great way to find research for papers and a vast source of knowledge but there is a dark side. With the use of social media, such as Fackbook, Twiter, and Yik Yak teens use anonymity to post comments without worrying about repercussions. Teens say things they normally wouldn’t say to someone’s face, nothing is private. It has become a common place for bullying, sending explicit photos of themselves or others, and a place that predators prey for new victims. Nothing or no one is safe. That is why the number has decreased to 59 percent in 2006 and 69 percent in 2012. Parents are concerned and they should be.

2. More teachers are using tools to try to detect cheating or deter students’ inclination to cheat. In the program, we see the use of plagiarism-detection tools like Turnitin.com and writing assignments completed during class time to make sure students do their own work and generate their own ideas. How can we as educators stop students from using material they found online as their own work? Should that be considered cheating, in your opinion?

More teachers are using tools like Turninin.com to detect cheating but some teachers do not use the resources they have. Our students are always one step ahead of us when it comes to cheating. I am always amazed how a student that is behind in credits can catch up quickly with online learning. As educators I am not sure if we can detect all plagiarism. We will always have students that want to cheat. I don’t think we can stop that but we can make it harder with resources like Turnitin.com. I hope students remember if they are using ideas from a source they remember to cite the source. In the long run they are only hurting themselves.

3,One student claims he "never reads books" but relies on summaries and annotated notes he finds on Web sites. He confesses that he feels guilty about this, stating, "I feel like I kind of cheated it." In your opinion, should he feel guilty? Why or why not?

I am sure there are more than one student that “never reads books” than there are students that read books. In part it comes from heavy workloads, such as honor and AP classes. Along with extra activities or responsibilities. Their time is limited so they use the resources they have like summaries and annotated notes.

 They should feel like they are cheating but I see their point.  We are in such a hurry to push students to the limits and it’s a race to the top. Who is the best? Who had the highest ACT scores? Why the hurry? Let them have time to be kids. We are creating a new generation of young people that have high levels of anxiety, panic attacks, and suffer from depression.

4.Before the Internet, in order to be seen by the world, you had to be portrayed in some form of mass media, and you had to be famous in some respect -- in the news, in politics or as a celebrity. Now anyone can be seen online by anyone else in the world. Some people have become famous for videos or photos they’ve posted (such as Autumn Edows). In your opinion, should people like Edows, or others who become “famous” through their online presence, be considered “celebrities?” Has the ability to create an online persona, and receive worldwide attention for it, affected our cultural values?

That’s true before the internet you had to be portrayed in some form of media like television or the tabloids and you had to be famous. Today with reality shows you don’t even need to have talent to be seen. You just need some type of drama in your life. People seem to crave that so with the internet you don’t need to be famous. You just need to be willing to tell it all or show it all to have followers.

I don’t feel that people who become famous by their online presence should be considered famous. Let’s look at a family who became “famous” because of a sex tape that went public. Really, why are we fascinated by all of the drama?   This family has their own show and are making millions because we want to see all of the drama in their life. They have no talent. I guess they are smart because they are getting rich and we still tune in every week to watch the drama. I am not  sure why we think it is okay for people on TV not to have any values. It has a trickle down affect because we start to dress like them and behave like them. Have you seen how high school girls dress now a days?

5. Shows like "To Catch a Predator" on Dateline NBC (http://www.nbcnews.com/id/10912603/) contribute to parental anxiety about online media. It is obvious that certain elements of programs like “To Catch a Predator,” and even this documentary, will likely increase parents’ fears.Cite one current event from the past year where a young person has been affected (positively or negatively) by being active online. (find a link to a news story, describe it in your answer to this question, and provide the link as well).

It is our responsibility to inform the public about how some people use the internet for evil, for example; cyber-bullying, predators, sexing, and social networking. Maybe it is the only way to inform parents of what their children are doing behind closed doors when parents assume they are doing homework. So if news shows like "To Catch a Predator" contributes to parental anxiety it should. Parents should be alarmed about cyber-bullying. Some parents have no clue what their child is saying on the internet. Children that are being bullied never get away from the bully. The internet allows for anonymity therefore people say things they would never say in person. Here is a link to an additional six stories like the Rebecca Sedwick story: http://nobullying.com/six-unforgettable-cyber-bullying-cases/. All six end up committing suicide because of cyber-bullying. Unfortunately, there are many more stories like that, they go unreported.

6.Teasing, lying, gossiping, threatening, spreading rumors or harassing online (and offline)can severely affect people’s self-concept and self-esteem and have an impact on their emotional state. In the     program, we see one girl who describes flirting with boys and then revealing she was just kidding. She explains: "You wouldn’t do that to someone’s face, but online is completely different. ... No one can do anything. You’re at your house, they’r e at their house." In her quote, this teen is describing Suler’s disinhibition effects. Which one do you think it is, and why?

Actually, there are a few of Suler’s disinhibition effects that apply to cyber-bullying, such as DISSOCIATION ANONYMITY and INVISIBILITY.  As people chat on the internet you may see a username or address but you don’t see the identity of the user. They can remain anonymous. They can say anything and not be held accountable for what they say, therefore; they become monsters.  Once you think you have things under control a new app is developed and the cycle begins again. Invisibility gives people courage so when they are in chat room they can become someone other than themselves. In emails or text messaging no one can see how you look and you can’t see disapproval. The teenage years are hard enough without cyber-bullying.

7.At the end of the program, Greg decides it’s time for him to "disconnect" by going to the Coast Guard Academy, where he will spend seven weeks without cell phones or the Internet. Have you ever thought about "disconnecting" from it all? Do you think it would be easy or difficult for you personally? What would you enjoy or dislike about disconnecting?

I like how Greg realized that he was struggling with the fact that he had to “disconnect” when he entered the Academy. I think everyone should be able to disconnect. Our brains need a break. Sometimes I forget my phone and I feel guilty that no one can get in touch with me. My family goes nuts and I hear I tried to call you but you forgot your phone. I think I forget my phone intentionally because it gives me freedom not to be connected.  I personally don’t need to be connected 24/7 but I am not a teen. I know life will continue without the internet. Last year we rented a condo on the beach for vacation and we had no internet. Everyone was upset at first but we spent more time together playing board games and just talking and laughing. I enjoyed the peace and quiet plus my brain needed the break. After a week I felt energized; everyone should try it!