Reaction Blog: "Growing Up Online"

I found this documentary to me interesting, however it did not bring-up topics that haven’t already been said when it comes to the “dark side” of the Internet. These issues of privacy, strangers, bullying, and so forth have always been and always will be associated with computers and the Internet. Of course they should be addressed and users (especially kids) should be fully aware of these dangers. I am in full ag reement that parents should be involved in their children’s online activities, however, just like with any deviant action there are going to be loopholes and ways around them. For parents to fully keep track of their children’s activities (computer or elsewhere) is simply unrealistic. If they are banned from the Internet at home, they are surely going to be able to find another way (library).

Parents are only capable of teaching their children about the dangers of the Internet and the rest is up to them. At times I felt the documentary was suggesting that young adults are being “destroyed” by the Internet and it’s the almighty downfall of our existence. I totally agree that with this generation there is a sense of distance because of technology and its rapid development. Without a doubt it has infiltrated people’s lives more than ever. However, I don’t think kids are always to blame. Society has now put pressures, especially in the workforce, for young adults to be technologically savvy in order to survive in a chosen career. Our culture is rapidly changing and my generation is caught-up in the whirlwind.

Underage drinking, drugs, and other inappropriate behavior is definitely nothing new when it comes to high school and college life. Older generations have been though this themselves. However, today there is the capability of these actions to be broadcasted for everyone to see. This can be a very useful tool because parents can step in and help their children. However, like the mom who was repeatedly shown throughout the film, parents need to realize that the Internet should not always be used as a scapegoat.