Growing up online--problems and risks

By Dominique Serpico
College of Education
Long Island University, C. W. Post
March, 2011

Today’s class we watched a movie about technology and the involvement of parents. I really enjoyed watching this video because it shows the different complications and challenges parents have monitoring their children on the Internet or cell phones. Many of the kids in the video admitted to being different then who they actually are in person then when on the Internet. This was hard to hear because I feel pain for the people who cannot be himself or herself either because of fear, shame, or insecurity. Parents try to monitor kids on the Internet all the time, but how far is to far in this world of infinite information? For example one parent kept the computer in the kitchen to watch every website that was accessed by her kids. This same parent also sent out a chain letter to all the parents in the district about the violence that occurs in the schools. I feel this is very extreme, but somewhat necessary because there are parents who are not aware of what is going on. Unfortunately, this woman’s son was now the subject of humiliation because his mom ruined some other kids free times.

It is hard for a parent to get involved in the life of a child because there is so much secrecy the child does not want to share. However, the parent has to choose between the rock and the hard place in order to make a point to get involved. This could possibly prevent much harm, especially suicide like the middle school student in the video. Watching this specific case broke my heart because the student even confronted his parent about the fighting and the message was not translated to the parent properly. If only the parents would have not allowed the computer in this young boys room, or even spoke to the teachers or him about what was going on in school, he would still be alive. I strongly believe parents should educate their children about what is “right” and what is “wrong” in other words the appropriate use of the Internet. Schools and teachers should also focus on this as well and try and pay attention to different signs of harm or bullying. Adolescents should be proud of who they are and realize it is ok to be different then their peers. As a future educator I hope to help these adolescents accept themselves and even try to help others.