Frontline video - Kids Online

If I had not learned as much as I have during the past couple months about SNS and web 2.0, I might have reacted to the Frontline video like an emotional parent. I'd be worried about my two teenage daughters online 'life' and possibly doing my best to invade their privacy. But, two things stand out in my mind that prevent this.

First of all, this video, while factual, seems to focus on the negatives without ever providing facts as to what percentage of teens fall into these negative traps. The video only once, and very briefly, mentioned that a study was done by the Dept of Justice, confirming that kids usually know what to watch out for.

The second thing that sticks in my mind is that the horrific examples used in the video all seemed to include a degree of distrust/disconnect with their parents. When the PTO mom reacted to the pics and videos of her son and other students who attended a concert, she managed to push her son even farther away. To me, this is the real challenge. Whether it be via technology or around the dinner table, as parents and as teachers we need to make sure that kids know that can come to us - whether for help or just to vent - and that we will do our best to protect them. They need to know that we care about the person they are, not just about the person we want them to be.