"Growing Up Online" Summary - Darci Peterson

The PBS documentary, "Growing Up Online" discussed the internet being a part of life today. One could look at it as a pros and cons of the world wide web and modern technology, however it was more of a film of the ways the internet is affecting people, mainly focussing on teenagers, and how it can be accepted into society in a safe way. Clearly, it is not going to be going away, and it does not need to if people grow up with it and learn how to use it in a safe way and learn "Cyber manners". It is clear that the internet affects lives outside of the web so it is imporant to use the internet in a pro-active way.

There are no rules in the virtual society. Everything one could want to look for is there, it is just a matter of finding it. It has become so that the children once viewed as victums of cyper bullying and preditors have become participants. The internet is what you make it. For instance, f you are exposing yourself to strangers, you may find creeps. If teenagers are safe online they generally will not be bothered by unwanted people. Children are being taught at a young age that if they encounter something or someone on the internet they do not feel is safe or right, they can stop, block, and tell. Young kids are using the internet on social websites too, not just teenagers and adults. If they are not on myspace or facebok they are on Club Penguin. This means it is important for children to learn young how to react on the computer. A lot of parents are keeping their computer in a central area so it can be monitored. This is something I, as a parent, plan to do. I am still young, I see what people are doing and I know that it is something parents need to be involved with to a degree. It doesn't need to be on a personal level, just in general.

Teens seem to be the main users of internet because the internet is a great listener and it does not judge. One could be without their make up, in their pajamas or be up in the middle of the night and there is a whole social network that they can talk to. They can be who they want to be and even create new idenities. Teenagers find it comforting to talk to people without taling face to face, they say and talk to people they normally would not. They step outside their comfort zone in a way that makes them more comfortable. What teens do on the internet, the things they enjoy can be enjoyed if they learn ho to make their experience a positive one. Parents need to stay invold. Rather than having passwords they could have their own facebook account. They need to know what is out there to properly guide their children. It is what users make of it, which is evident could go either way. Teenagers believe that they are good at spotting red flags however there is room for improvement. Parents need to keep teaching children to stay away from certain dangers of the internet so ignorance does not get them in trouble as once was a big problem.