Growing Up Online

     The documentary, “Growing Up Online” details the pros and cons of internet use by children. It describes the boundaries that the internet is crossing and what parents and teachers can do to help educate and protect children.

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? 

     Some of the reasons why parental support for their children’s independent internet use is decreasing is because of how it the concern about how it is negatively affecting children in their ability to function. Parents and teachers are beginning to notice that children are having more difficulty in paying attention in class. They are also recognizing the danger of online predators. Parents may also recognize that their child’s socialization is changing. Some parents describe how their children’s behavior changes when they try to talk to them. For example, one father said his son would be chatting with 25 people at a time and get agitated if he (father) asked him a question. Many parents who initially were in support of the Internet for their child may have changed their mind about this as the access to the internet has increased through additional sources of access (smartphones, iPads, etc.).


 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 do believe that educators and parents have the greatest opportunity than anyone to influence students from using material they find online as their own work. Teachers can equip students by teaching them strategies that will help them grow as writers. I liked how the teacher in the documentary would have students complete their writing work in class so they couldn’t cheat. I do believe that using someone else’s work is cheating. I feel this is a lack of character on the part of the student and that character building begins in the home.


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?

     I do think the student who used the Sparknotes should feel like he cheated because that’s exactly what he did. Again, I think this a character flaw that makes him think it is okay to be dishonest. A person’s core values are linked to their actions. I believe that students should spend more time reading than the amount of time being spent on a computer or device.


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 personally don’t believe people like Edows or others who become “famous” through their online presence should be considered “celebrities.” In the case of Edows, I felt sorry for her. It was obvious from her conversation that the pain of her childhood led her to choose this path. It furthermore only caused more pain to herself and then to her family. The ability to create an online persona and receive worldwide attention for it has affected our cultural values in that it promotes an acceptance to distorting reality to gain attention to oneself.


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). Click here to see an example of what I’m looking for: http://www.startribune.com/nation/254228371.html (Please do some research on your own and find a story other than Rebecca Sedwick's...her story is probably the most famous cyberbullying case to date.)

     The current event from the past year where a young person has been affected, in this case negatively, by being active online can be found in the following link. http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/2014/01/25/seven-grafton-teens-arrested-felony-witness-intimidation-charges-for-allegedly-cyber-bullying-the-victim-violent-crime/V7sn8b4axyorUa535jA0XK/story.html. It describes a boy that was harassed “physically and through social media.” The teens involved were arrested.


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

     This teen is describing dissociative anonymity. I think it is this disinhibition effect because the girl knows that she can avoid taking responsibility for her behavior because she is online. She is separating her actions from the real world.


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 have thought about “disconnecting” from it all, especially this past week, for two reasons. The first reason is this week’s assignment has raised my awareness in how I can help to instill good practices with my children’s internet usage. The second reason is because the week prior I had the opportunity to go to the Grand Canyon and get a taste of being “unplugged” from technology. I would enjoy saying goodbye to the distractions that my smartphone brings me. I wouldn’t feel the need to check my email, text messages or Facebook. I would miss the accessibility of looking up information during our school day or having quick access to the camera on my phone so I can take a picture I would not have normally been able to.