Teens and Internet Safety Essay Example
Teens and Internet Safety
The teens and children of today are influenced by technology and networking. People now communicate not only face-to-face or by telephone, but also via text and the Internet. Currently, the most popular way of communicating with friends is through social networks. These networks include Facebook, MySpace, and Twitter. Social networking is a great tool for chatting with friends and sharing thoughts any time without having to call friends on the phone. It is also used for catching up with old friends or meeting new people. Since our current generation is quickly adapting to new technology and evolving social networking, spending some time with friends online is important. Many teens use Facebook, MySpace, and Twitter because it’s their chance to be social with other people. However Internet and social network usage carries special dangers for young people. To prevent these dangers, parents should control their children’s use of social networking, carefully monitor and teach responsible Internet use, and increase independent use over time as the child matures.
There are many dangers of being online. From cyber-bullies to sex offenders, the Internet and social networks are not always safe. The average age of children and teens beginning to use social networks is 12 years old. A good situation to keep children safe is to monitor their actions on the Internet until they are mature enough to handle the risks of social networking.
Although the main purpose of a social network is to connect with friends, some people see it as a way to “attack”, or cyber-bully, other people. Cyber-bullying is one of the most dreaded dangers of being online. It can begin as simple comments or posts insulting the recipient, but cyber-bullying can get worse, escalating to sending flame mail. Flame mail is an “email blast designed to agitate or embarrass the recipient. ‘Flaming’ typically involves copying the flame mail to as many people as possible” (Arterburn 64).
The teens and children of today are influenced by technology and networking. People now communicate not only face-to-face or by telephone, but also via text and the Internet. Currently, the most popular way of communicating with friends is through social networks. These networks include Facebook, MySpace, and Twitter. Social networking is a great tool for chatting with friends and sharing thoughts any time without having to call friends on the phone. It is also used for catching up with old friends or meeting new people. Since our current generation is quickly adapting to new technology and evolving social networking, spending some time with friends online is important. Many teens use Facebook, MySpace, and Twitter because it’s their chance to be social with other people. However Internet and social network usage carries special dangers for young people. To prevent these dangers, parents should control their children’s use of social networking, carefully monitor and teach responsible Internet use, and increase independent use over time as the child matures.
There are many dangers of being online. From cyber-bullies to sex offenders, the Internet and social networks are not always safe. The average age of children and teens beginning to use social networks is 12 years old. A good situation to keep children safe is to monitor their actions on the Internet until they are mature enough to handle the risks of social networking.
Although the main purpose of a social network is to connect with friends, some people see it as a way to “attack”, or cyber-bully, other people. Cyber-bullying is one of the most dreaded dangers of being online. It can begin as simple comments or posts insulting the recipient, but cyber-bullying can get worse, escalating to sending flame mail. Flame mail is an “email blast designed to agitate or embarrass the recipient. ‘Flaming’ typically involves copying the flame mail to as many people as possible” (Arterburn 64).