Growing Up Online

In Rachel Dretzin and John Maggio's video text, "Growing Up Online," many different point of views on the new and upcoming fad of the internet and digital media were featured through both the young and old. Many worrisome parents showed their concern and disagreement with digital media. They believe that although the internet can be used for good uses, their children just cannot be trusted. This is because in the past, many teenagers have gotten themselves into trouble and have had even fatal results because of the internet and it's many openings to different sites and experiences. One mom in particular hated the fact that her child was using the internet so much because she believed that no matter how great the internet security could be, people can still find you and your information. There is no safe place. While online stockers and perverts are a huge threat to internet users, the facts are according to one adult teacher, that most children only use the internet to check up on their friends and barely ever give away any important information or talk to people who are threatening on the internet. People have just as much of a chance of being stocked outside of the internet as when they are using the digital media.

In my experience with digital media, I have never come across anyone trying to stock or invade my privacy. My belief is that the internet is just like the world in that you always have to be very careful where you explore and what you do. You can't just put out all of your private information for the world to see. People are always watching to catch you by surprise and you could very well get hurt. I have a facebook account and love talking to my friends and looking at all of their information, pictures and such. I truly believe that it's not a crime to be using the internet or facebook for that matter, as long as you treat yourself , others and the internet with respect you shouldn't really get into any trouble. Don't say or do anything that isn't your personality or that you wouldn't be proud to do in public. It's only commen sense, but the sad part is that many people, teenagers especially, abuse the privalege of having the internet at their fingertips. They end up saying and doing things that they shouldn't or wouldn't normally do, which gets them into trouble and creates this bad reputation of the digital media, even though the digital media isn't the one who has done anything wrong, the responsiblity lies within the user. The internet is such a useful tool and it's actually benficial to our society in my opinion. Although the world may be so focused on digital media, maybe even a little too much, I would rather have people know how to actually use the internet and electronics like that, than not have any clue how anything like that works. I personally am not very good with using electronics like computers or even the internet at times, and so I know how it feels to be out of the loop sometimes with all of the new devices and ways of communicating. But I honestly wish I knew how everything worked better because it does make life even just a little bit easier. Before the digital media is to be judged so harshly by the world, we should all be looking at both the pros and cons of the issue, because in the end, the impact that digital media has on us, is in our hands to begin with, it just depends on if we use these resources for the good or if we abuse them.