The article Teens' Bold Blogs Alarm Schools is a very interesting topic that all schools need to address immediately. The article discusses' how some blog sites such as face book.com, my space.com, and xanga.com have given students the opportunity to share pictures, thoughts, and even up to the minute locations. What the article highlights is that schools are now viewing these blogs and are concerned for their students safety, as well as academic and professional careers. Because most parents were not born during the digital era, the majority are unaware that their children are sharing information about themselves everyday. I completely agree with the article and are concerned for how some of these blog sites can affect a persons professional career. An inappropriate picture, or comment can now cost you a job or even admittance into a college or university. Students need to be educated on both the positive as well as the negative aspects of blogging. I'm sure most younger bloggers don't even think about the impact a post can have on their future. By offering even a short thirty minute course to students identifying scenarios that have impacted peoples lives from blogging can give them the knowledge to think before they post.
As for the safety of the students, this is beginning to become an area I am very concerned about. Friends of mine have begun using a feature on facebook that allows them to check in at a particular location when they are there. I don't understand why people do that, and feel like it practically places a target on you. I'm sure students use this feature as well, and agree that this really is a feature that students parents need to be aware of. It is one thing for a grown adult to post where they are at a particular time of the day, but children are unable to protect themselves if they should be targeted by bullies, sexual predators, or others who can harm them.
I think that the digital era is a very delicate situation. Indeed I agree that students should be using social technologies to engage in conversation and learn from others, but students and parents must then be educated on potential risks when using these social network technologies. Due to these risks I believe that students in the state should be required to take part in at least a 30 minute demonstration that examines the potential health risks of sharing particular information about themselves. I also believe that it is necessary to host classes and seminars for parents at night so that they can be educated on this important topic, and can begin to monitor what type of information is being shared.
Great thoughts and ideas. We should be teaching this to our students and helping them to be more responsible on the web. Additionally, your comment about "checking in" is also an interesting one. Yelp offers the same feature and many people who use twitter are always giving out their location... sounds like great tips for criminals... you are telling them that you are not home... not smart.
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with your review on the article. I read it and was thinking along the same lines. I think the "checking in" is really unsafe for students and adults. There are so many child predators, criminals and potential serial killers out there and you should never give out information like that. Many of my friends use Foursquare.com and that is also another "checking in" site that reveals where you are. Blogs also can be used as a "bully situation" where people can bully others by writing derogatory comments about each other without actually conversing with them in person. I think parents definitely need to be aware with what their children are doing or there should be parental control on their home computers where their children can't access certain websites. I know this may be harder for older students but they should be aware of what their children are doing. I agree that there should be more of an awareness of social network sites for both students and parents. Maybe schools can have an assembly about it to show the negative and positives about social networking. Personally I don't think children should have Facebook it was originally made for College students and I think it should not have been accessible for high schoolers or children younger because they are not mature enough to realize their actions will affect their future.
ReplyDeleteLOL..... It’s true not to0000 smart to tell the criminals where you are at all times.
ReplyDeleteThis is a touchy subject; working in a middle school I see the good and bad effects of technology. The good would be, the way technology allows us to engage our students and help them think outside of the box. The bad is how 80 percent of the fights and bullying stem from arguments and harassment on face book, MySpace, twitter and aim.
I think educating our student about the dangers that are out there is crucial when discussing the use of technology to our students. In addition we must also show them the consequences of using technology in the wrong way and how this cant hurt others and themselves.
It is a difficult issue because of the disparity between parents and administrators, and children who have grown up in the technology era. We must take immidiate action to educate our youth on the implications teachnology will or could have in their personal, and professional lives.
ReplyDeleteI think that cyber-bulling can affect anyone who is connected to the Internet and regularly uses e-mail, instant messaging, or any other part of the World Wide Web. Knowing what is, how to prevent it, and what to do if you or someone you know is a victim of cyber-bullying are of utmost importance. Educators, administrators, and parents should know the characteristics of this phenomenon and how to help their children overcome this emerging type of techno-threat.
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like an interesting article and I can't help but be reminded when I was in high school and live journal was the biggest craze. When administration got a hold of students profiles, they were kicked off teams and parents were called because kids were holding drinks in pictures. Although it seemed so horrific at the time, that administration was invading our privacy, it really is for our students safety and well being. We need to take action to protect our students
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with you! We share the same ideas exactly concerning students and blogging sites. Although it might be the "in" thing to do/have, blogging sites can cause future problems in terms of careers, not to mention safety concerns. Younger bloggers especially NEED to be monitored. I remember my mother was very concerned about such sites when I was younger, which is probably why I feel the way I do about them today. I am glad she kept a close eye on me, because it helped me to mature and put things into perspective.
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ReplyDeleteI agree with Joe that there is a large disparity between what the average student knows in terms of tech vs the average adult. I believe parental education on the benefits and dangers of internet use and social networking sites should be mandated.
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