Social Networking

Is it good, bad?  All we know for sure is it’s not going away.  Twitter, Facebook, myspace, etc. is all social networking tools that will continue to grow and develop with the rest of technology.  I think one of the best things adults can do is to be knowledgeable about the online sites young people are using.  If we are aware of what is going on, we have a better knowledge base to relate to students. 

Young people need to become aware of the potential issues with myspace, facebook and similar sights.  Pictures, comments and anything else put on the internet may be “private” according to the account settings, but there are many ways for people to get access to a profile.  Future employers, teachers, coaches, parents, and universities will use the internet as a way to learn more about anyone. 

I know it is easy to put pictures on the internet so that you can share them with friends; I participate in these social networking sites as well.  Teens need to learn to use discretion.  Choosing which sites to use, what opinions to write and pictures to post could positively or negatively impact their future. 

One way that adults can teach kids to use the sites in positive ways is to model those behaviors and habits.  We also need to be reminding high schoolers that younger students look up to them and will follow their example. 

http://www.cnn.com/2009/TECH/11/02/kids.social.networks/index.html