Growing Up Online

• This documentary examines the ways in which today's generation makes use of the Internet. It covers creating profiles on MySpace, uploading videos on YouTube and playing online games and etc. The documentary shows the different issues parents and teenagers have with understanding this new craze. It includes the ups of using the internet as well as the downside meaning cyber bullying; "Internet fame"; and sexual predators. This private world kids have created online private worlds that kids are creating online, raising important questions about how the Internet is transforming the experience of adolescence:
  
  
  

  1. A survey by the Pew Internet & American Life Project found that in 2004, 67 percent of parents said the Internet has been a good thing for their children. However, this number decreased to 59 percent in 2006. In 2012, 69% of parents of online teens said they were concerned about how their child’s online activity might affect their future academic or employment opportunities, with some 44% being “very” concerned. Cite some reasons why parental support for their children’s independent internet use is decreasing. Why do you think the number of parents who reported the Internet being a good thing for their children has decreased?

  I think it has decreased due to the recent awareness and information being made available on the dangers and impact the internet may have on our children. These dangers include but are not limited to sexual predators, cyber bullying, sexting, peer influence, lack of social abilities, and some even argue mental illnesses.
  
  
  2. More teachers are using tools to try to detect cheating or deter students’ inclination to cheat. In the program, we see the use of plagiarism-detection tools like Turnitin.com and writing assignments completed during class time to make sure students do their own work and generate their own ideas.How can we as educators stop students from using material they found online as their own work? Should that be considered cheating, in your opinion?
  
  I honestly don't think it is cheating per se because many things can be found online that have already be discussed and others share their opinion and this opinion may be the exact feelings you have towards an issue. However I do think that copying a persons idea is wrong but molding it to fit your own ideas is fine and should be accepted.

  3. One student claims he "never reads books" but relies on summaries and annotated notes he finds on Web sites. He confesses that he feels guilty about this, stating, "I feel like I kind of cheated it."

  In your opinion, should he feel guilty? Why or why not?
  
  No I don't think so necessarily because online is a greater search tool and it gives you many more possibilities than sitting down and having to read multiple books to gather the information you need on a subject. I think more things should be accessible online and going paperless is one way to help save the future. Unfortunately many websites we get our information from are not considered accredited sites.
  

  
  

  4. Before the Internet, in order to be seen by the world, you had to be portrayed in some form of mass media, and you had to be famous in some respect -- in the news, in politics or as a celebrity. Now anyone can be seen online by anyone else in the world. Some people have become famous for videos or photos they’ve posted (such as Autumn Edows).

  In your opinion, should people like Edows, or others who become “ famous” through their online presence, be considered “celebrities?”
  

  Has the ability to create an online persona, and receive worldwide attention for it, affected our cultural values?
  I think we are living in the age of reality t.v. I think true talent isn't what it used to be considered and doesn't have to live up to the same criteria. I don't necessarily feel these changes are bad, I think they actually give common people a shot at having 60 seconds of fame. The only issue I have is the border or what's appropriate and inappropriate is easily crossed online because a person only has to go through themselves to upload a video and share it with the world. Whereas with real movies they go through many levels of examination before being determined ok to show to the world or not. And videos online do not have viewers discretion. I personally feel like youtube needs to be censored better because many times I see "related" videos pop up when my child is watching her lullabye playlist, and these popups aren't age appropriate. Or you will see ads that aren't appropriate on any channel or website. Many times they have nothing to do with the product being viewed, but are instead put there because of the high traffic the product is pulling.

  
  

  5. Shows like "To Catch a Predator" on Dateline NBC (http://www.nbcnews.com/id/10912603/) contribute to parental anxiety about online media. It is obvious that certain elements of programs like “To Catch a Predator,” and even this documentary, will likely increase parents’ fears.

  Cite one current event from the past year where a young person has been affected (positively or negatively) by being active online. (find a link to a news story, describe it in your answer to this question, and provide the link as well).
  
  Teen girl belived to be kidnapped found dead after meeting up with a facebook friend for the first time. Below is the story of Nichole Cable a victim to an online friendship gone bad.
  

  http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2328396/Nichole-Cable-Maine-police-body-belonging-missing-girl-15-disappeared-meeting-man-Facebook.html

  
  

  6. Teasing, lying, gossiping, threatening, spreading rumors or harassing online (and offline)can severely affect people’s self-concept and self-esteem and have an impact on their emotional state. In the program, we see one girl who describes flirting with boys and then revealing she was just kidding. She explains: "You wouldn’t do that to someone’s face, but online is completely different. ... No one can do anything. You’re at your house, they’r e at their house."

  In her quote, this teen is describing Suler’s disinhibition effects. Which one do you think it is, and why?
  

  
  

  This is an example of Suler's dissociative anonymity. A person feels like the person doesn't know them so they can treat them in a way they most likely wouldnt do in real life online. 

  7. At the end of the program, Greg decides it’s time for him to "disconnect" by going to the Coast Guard Academy, where he will spend seven weeks without cell phones or the Internet.

  
  

  Have you ever thought about "disconnecting" from it all?

  Do you think it would be easy or difficult for you personally?

  What would you enjoy or dislike about disconnecting?
  
  I wouldn't be able to disconnect because my life is to wrapped around the internet. From many online support groups I have joined and blogs I host I do not see myself being able to disconnect. The reason being is because I am so disconnected in real life being as though I moved to another state to be with my husband and left all of my family and friends behind and now since me and him are separated I don't have the same social life I used to have and the same real life interactions and connections I am used to having. Therefore I rely on the online community to feel socially aware and connected. Facebook is the number 1 way I talk with all friends and family.