Social Networking and Kids
February 16, 2009 at 3:59 pm 7 comments
While browsing through Couros’ readings and media links for our class (EC&I 831: Computers in the Classroom), I came across a couple of videos that did not sit well with my nerves. I have children that use the internet a lot. I have 10 and 11 year olds that have their own bebo and penguin accounts. I do look at their sites regularly to make sure the comments and posts are age appropriate but it is scary to think that ANYBODY can view their profiles. My children have uploaded their own pictures on bebo and its scary to know that there are people out there that would not use these pictures appropriately (see “Flickr Perversion” as well).
This video is called “Everyone Knows Your Name”:
This one is called “Think Before You Post”:
Entry filed under: Personal Reflections. Tags: .
1.
jackie | February 16, 2009 at 10:26 pm
This is one of my fears as a parent. I guess I need to teach my children and my students to be responsible and warn them of the dangers but at the same time not scare them away from using technology.
2.
billybean | February 17, 2009 at 2:39 pm
I think that there is a big need to educate young people to go online safely rather than necessarily restricting access to sites. I work in youth work and we are currently looking at how we ensure that young people are aware of what they are doing on line and where they might be unsafe. I think it’s a bit like considering what we teach young people to be safe in the ‘real’ world and try to translate it to the online world.
3.
ddmccallum | February 17, 2009 at 11:33 pm
I am constantly struggling with this very thing, but am thankful I chose to take the course EC&I 831 because it is opening my repertoire of computers and technology. I agree that we need to teach our children to be responsible about computer use as well as to be safe when putting things on the net.
4.
trevor gerwing | March 5, 2009 at 7:49 pm
Internet safety is huge. We have dealt with everything from stalkers to kids putting fights up on the youtube this school year. Questions are everywhere and answers are elusive.
5.
Leanne | March 15, 2009 at 10:58 pm
Wonderful videos – I plan on showing them to my class. I don’t think students fully understand how their postings could one day ‘haunt’ them. They don’t realize that the internet is ‘forever’!
6.
gracemcleod | March 16, 2009 at 11:21 pm
I showed these videos to my students as part of my walk through with their classroom blog. It really gives them perspective about the astonishing affect an inappropriate/ too revealing photo or comment could have on the rest of their lives. I think new curriculum should be developed on media awareness – something we do not have at all.
7.
Guy Penney | March 24, 2009 at 7:23 pm
I think I am beginning to be able to relate to your fears Grace. I too, have a little one who is seven years of age and is very eager to explore the internet. At the present time we surf together, but I am sure it won’t be too far down the road when he will want to have a facebook account, etc. I have to admit this scares me a little. I guess this is where I see the benefit of a course such as EC&I 831. This course has allowed me to take small steps with regard to my own personal technological journey and I am slowly coming to the realization that the key for me is technological education so that I can help my son make good technological decisions for himslef when he gets older.