"Growing up Online"

On the video text “Growing up Online” created by Frontline, the producers and directors dig deep into the affects of regular internet usage by teenagers. Many risks and advantages are discussed in this video. Frontline interviewed teenage internet users along with their parents to get both opinions; the parents, who are just being introduced to all this technology and the kids who are growing up in this internet age. In each situation, whether it’s posting provocative photos, getting tips on being skinny or just socializing with friends from school, there is almost always a contesting opinion.
Teenagers today claim that the internet and online socializing is just an extension of reality. Our generation of young people has adapted to where online publicity is relatively comfortable compared to the past when lots of information was held secret. They believe the internet is a tool of self-expression where they can be themselves without having to be judged critically. One girl changed her entire persona and name to Autumn Edows because she didn’t want to be who she was at that time. It can also be an escape from what’s going on in the real world. However, it can also be just the opposite. For a young boy being bullied at school it would give him peace of mind if his own house was a safe haven. Unfortunately, he was continued to be bullied online. It got to the point where the kid actually committed suicide. The boy’s father, John Halligan, states that, “The computer and the Internet were not the cause of my son's suicide, but I believe they helped amplify and accelerate the hurt and the pain that he was trying to deal with that started in person, in the real world." He believes that it’s not necessarily the internet’s fault and that we should teach this generation how to deal with, block, or avoid these confrontations. Students also find it a necessity to “cheat” because they don’t have enough time to do it in their busy lives. For example, in the video one student explained how he uses Sparknotes because it allows him to read an entire book in a couple of pages. He stated that he does not have time to read an entire book. Some would say this is how real life works, finding the easiest and most efficient tactics to accomplish tasks whereas others call it plain cheating.
From the parent’s view they are most concerned about the internet not being safe. They argue that the internet is not monitored and it’s a complete free-for-all. Parents are usually worried about stalkers and predators. On the other hand, studies indicate that teenagers know how to avoid predators because we grow up on it and are experienced. You simply block that person.

While I do see the risks involved with the internet I maintain that they are completely avoidable. I agree that people should be able to express whatever they want online. It’s not like you have to look at it. Self-expression is key to socializing. Most of the pictures of Autumn Edows aren’t half as bad as some of the other stuff online. It’s just a different take on it. I use the internet almost every day to continue discussions with friends from school or to arrange events. Similar to what some of the teens on Frontline described, Facebook and other social networking is just an extension of what is happening in reality. However, I do believe there is a limit. There has to be balance of online usage and reality. Finding that balance is critical to a healthy social life. As for the fact that bullying and predators are on the internet, users need to know how to protect themselves and understand that they can avoid or block these specific people. Realizing that this information is available and can be put into effect needs to be taught somewhere along the line. Just because someone could use the internet to help them commit suicide doesn’t mean the internet should be outlawed. Ropes are not outlawed, yet they also help in committing suicide. The root of the problem began somewhere else and that’s what should be focused on. The internet has many other useful purposes for which students, adults, and children can use it for. Sometimes I use the internet to print images for a project or look up forums/parts for my truck or even just products in general. The internet is an important aid in gathering information. Why spend the time to go to a library and go through the effort of hunting down a specific handbook for my truck when I can get multiple sources instantly? Online, publically sharing information can be beneficial to someone else’s life. Some say that publically sharing private information is unsafe. I completely agree that telling a stranger your address is probably not in your best interests. However, sharing your favorite color or writing about some situation will not get you killed. Us young people know how to operate the internet and other technologies much better than most adults because we have grown up with it. It has always been relevant in our lives.