I must admit that after viewing the Frontline documentary in full, I am very distrubed. I grew up in the 1990's, and therefore missed most of the powers of the internet. From 2001, when I was in high school, I was much more of an internet user. However, I only used xanga, but didn't blog often and certainly didn't reveal detailed information, and AOL Instant Messanger where I only spoke to my friends from school, and email for the same purpose. I never spent more than 2 hours a day online.
I didn't get a facebook account until I was a freshman in college, and at that time facebook was restricted and limited to only college students. I appreciated facebook, because it allowed me to get plugged in to my college campus quickly, and it helped me make friends. It was used as a communication tool. I had a myspace account briefly, but I was never comfortable using it as it was so much more open than facebook was.
Since I did not "grow up online" as these kids did, nor am I close to anyone who grew up online, I was not fully aware of all the freedom the internet provides adolescent teens with. It scares me to a degree. Even now, as I am an avid internet user, I would never retreat to such a world online.
In terms of socialization, I think that this internet age will have increasingly devastating effects on the youth and society. I do recognize too, that the internet is a positive place, and, when used responsibly, is a vital and helpful tool. It just seems so wrong that the internet has been described as the only place where tweens, teens, and other age groups go to feel like they can be themselves and express themselves openly and freely. Maybe I was just sheltered to the whole ordeal, but does anyone else feel a little alarmed or disturbed by this truth? Why is it that people cannot feel comfortable talking and expressing themselves to their family, but can to a bunch of strangers?
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Well said, Caroline. I think that the internet has become somewhat of an "addiction" in society today-- particularly with teenagers and pre-adolescents. I remember getting the internet when I was 8 years old. I thought it was the most fantastic contraption ever, and stayed on it for hours at a time.
ReplyDeleteIt is no wonder that our young population has such a problem with socialization and obescity. I remember the days when children arrived home from school, ate a snack, and ventured straight outside, where they proceeded to burn off any calories through their activity outside.
As far as socialization goes, teenagers are grabbing "internet lingo". I was in the store the other day and saw a t-shirt that said, "OMG LOL" on it. I mean, seriously?! The lingo that is emerging from the internet has hurt the literacy and English language of young people, and will continue to damage it into the future.
As far as strangers, many teens today make the internet their "safe haven". Internet dating is something I have seen emerge, particularly within young adults. Many sites that list personal ads just seem to frighten me...and I cannot begin to understand how an individual could use those services.
I believe the internet is evil. I use it, and I'm not proud of it... I use it for good reasons though--- I believe the internet is something that Satan has taken into his hands.... something that was once good and is now evil. I think it's nothing but a lurking site for sexual predators and nothing but a big trash can full of junk.