What applications appeal to you? Now that you know more about Twitter and Facebook, pay attention to where you hear references to them in the every day world. How do you think you might use these tools?
Why do you think MySpace and other social networking sites are so popular with kids today? What safety tips would you share with your students who are talking about using social networks?
I have been a long-time user of Facebook and have thoroughly enjoyed it. It has allowed me to stay in touch with family and reconnect with old friends. I do not have a Twitter account, but have been aware of Twitter for quite some time. I know that my school district uses Twitter to update community members on school information and events. I have thought about joining Twitter, but have not done so because Facebook already takes up a lot of my time. I just didn't feel like I could keep up with Twitter. It is quite amazing to see Facebook and Twitter logos on almost every commercial, advertisement, and product. It is hard to remember a time when these tools did not exist.
I think that social networking sites are popular with kids because it gives them the chance to connect with a greater number of their peers and gives them immediate gratification. Modern kids do not remember a world where people had to wait to talk to a friend or family member in person or on the phone. They are used to interacting on an immediate basis at any time. As my own daughter approaches the teen years, I know that she will become a member of this social networking world. It is a powerful, and scary, truth that she will have access to so many people and so much information. On the flip side of this, all of these people will also have access to her. I have already begun to emphasize with her the importance of not sharing her personal information with anyone. I'm also beginning to have conversations with her about how information, especially pictures, that are put on the internet are a permanent record that can't be controlled.
We're going to learn that this is something we have to start teaching them about at a young age, just as we do with substance abuse, fire prevention, and other safety issues. It's going to be too late to wait until fourth, fifth, sixth grades when they're showing an interest, to start talking to them about these issues. It's good that you've experienced the power and time needed to be involved online. I hope you find lots of opportunities to keep slipping your concerns and jewels of wisdom into the conversation with your daughter. They are hearing more than we think they are.
ReplyDeleteSeeing these all used at different levels is one thing; thinking about using all of them is another altogether. I agree that we see all of these being suggested on every show: vote on this service or call us on this one. Keeping track of all the passwords alone is enough to make your head spin!
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