I was giving presentations at a school in Pennsylvania (last week) and got to the point in my presentation with parents and staff in the district about the risks and benefits associated with online social networking. When talking about the issues, I try to be reasonably impartial – simply presenting the facts as I see them. When pressed, however, I generally concede to my audiences that I believe the benefits to outweigh the risks – especially when these sites are used appropriately and responsibly. One concerned parent in the audience had trouble with this. His argument was that the risks clearly outweighed any potential benefit from sites like MySpace and Facebook and that they should therefore be avoided altogether by adolescents. Instead of arguing with him, I decided to open it up to the audience and several folks identified a number of potential benefits of social networking. So clearly there are benefits. The question remains, however, do the benefits outweigh any potential risk?
I don’t know. We are in a unique position as researchers in that we see the best and worst of online social networking. We talk to adolescents (and adults for that matter) who have been harassed through these sites. On the other hand, we also see creative writing and other expressions of adolescent identity depicted on the sites. So what do you think? Weigh in with your thoughts about whether or not we should encourage youth to participate in online social networking web sites.
I'd have to agree with you, Justin. I think the parent with whom you spoke, though clearly entitled to his opinion, probably does not have a very firm grasp of the realities of sites like MySpace and Facebook. Yes, dangers exist, as you & Pap know all too well….but there are lots of potential benefits/rewards for users, too. As an adult, I have had the pleasure of reconnecting in meaningful ways with many long-lost friends via MySpace and Facebook. While this may be less applicable in the lives of adolescents than for adults who have been out of high school for….well, for a long time, I think it would be a shame if teens and adolescents were not able to enjoy the sense of community and connectedness that online social networking sites can bring in the name of risk avoidance.
I'd have to agree with you, Justin. I think the parent with whom you spoke, though clearly entitled to his opinion, probably does not have a very firm grasp of the realities of sites like MySpace and Facebook. Yes, dangers exist, as you & Pap know all too well….but there are lots of potential benefits/rewards for users, too. As an adult, I have had the pleasure of reconnecting in meaningful ways with many long-lost friends via MySpace and Facebook. While this may be less applicable in the lives of adolescents than for adults who have been out of high school for….well, for a long time, I think it would be a shame if teens and adolescents were not able to enjoy the sense of community and connectedness that online social networking sites can bring in the name of risk avoidance.
As far as I am concerned, these sites (e.g. Facebook and Myspace), if used properly, only have an upside. That being said there is always an individual who compromises the mere integrity of new technology. This is done with any and every technology; including books and magazines (need I say Mr. Heffner for an example). Networking web sites may be compromised by some and capitalized by others. This issue should be not all that uncommon, especially to adult generations. I don’t think they have to thoroughly use, or understand the technology, nevertheless it seems reasonable for adults to understand. Education is key.
As far as I am concerned, these sites (e.g. Facebook and Myspace), if used properly, only have an upside. That being said there is always an individual who compromises the mere integrity of new technology. This is done with any and every technology; including books and magazines (need I say Mr. Heffner for an example). Networking web sites may be compromised by some and capitalized by others. This issue should be not all that uncommon, especially to adult generations. I don’t think they have to thoroughly use, or understand the technology, nevertheless it seems reasonable for adults to understand. Education is key.
While social networking sites definitely have upsides to them (reconnecting with friends, seeing friends' pictures, chatting, etc) I think they can do a definite dis-service to adolescents. Adults have already been socialized and, for the most part, know how to act in social situations, pick up on social cues, etc. However, teenagers are still learning how to be proper social beings. A lot of this socialization occurs in school, sports teams, at churches, etc. Thats where kids learn what is socially appropriate, how to talk to the opposite sex, what to do to make friends–all kinds of things. It involves physically being face to face. Online interaction may be easier for awkward and shy teens, but if it is the only/majority form of social interaction they get, its dangerous. People can say anything on the internet. There is always a computer screen between them and the other individuals they are associating with. People can be very bold and say things online that they wouldn't dare say in person. I fear that adolescents who mostly use facebook/myspace as a substitute for face-to-face social interactions will miss out on important socialization. They could be in danger of becoming socially awkward adults.
While social networking sites definitely have upsides to them (reconnecting with friends, seeing friends' pictures, chatting, etc) I think they can do a definite dis-service to adolescents. Adults have already been socialized and, for the most part, know how to act in social situations, pick up on social cues, etc. However, teenagers are still learning how to be proper social beings. A lot of this socialization occurs in school, sports teams, at churches, etc. Thats where kids learn what is socially appropriate, how to talk to the opposite sex, what to do to make friends–all kinds of things. It involves physically being face to face. Online interaction may be easier for awkward and shy teens, but if it is the only/majority form of social interaction they get, its dangerous. People can say anything on the internet. There is always a computer screen between them and the other individuals they are associating with. People can be very bold and say things online that they wouldn't dare say in person. I fear that adolescents who mostly use facebook/myspace as a substitute for face-to-face social interactions will miss out on important socialization. They could be in danger of becoming socially awkward adults.
I have been cyber bullied before.it is not easy to handle,my friends made fun of me because i got cyber bullied.just remember the internet is not safe,be careful of predators,prohphiles and people,u may think theyre 13 or whatever and they may be 40,be careful, i know from experiences,its a scarey world out there.
I have been cyber bullied before.it is not easy to handle,my friends made fun of me because i got cyber bullied.just remember the internet is not safe,be careful of predators,prohphiles and people,u may think theyre 13 or whatever and they may be 40,be careful, i know from experiences,its a scarey world out there.
It is really a moot question; Pandora’s Box is already opened. Even if we decide, the benefits do not outweigh the risks, then what? It is now a thread woven into the social fabric of our children’s behavior and lifestyle.
It is not much different than asking the same question regarding the benefits of the media: Internet, television, magazines, books, etc. are outweighed by the risks. There exist polar opposites for each which, fortunately the majority considers unacceptable and the extreme.
We just had a discussion today regarding “monitoring” your child’s online activity. The benefits (good parenting in the 21st Century) opposed to the perceived risks (spying on your child).
Like the Internet, online social networking anomalies, are no longer considered technology tools, these are elements of your child’s everyday life as much as going to school, dating, and learning to drive. Technologies will continue to influence the behavior of future generations and most likely, each will provide a benefit (most likely the catalyst that spreads it viral) and a risk; those who invariably find a misuse to cause harm to others.
However, the question should be directed to the Internet… Do the benefits outweigh the risks? After all, social networking is a byproduct of the Internet. The answer to this question is; it depends.
As for my partner and me, the internet and social networking offer more benefits than risk and we intend to do everything within our powers to make sure our children and as many of the new Net-Generation are empowered with the skills to understand the difference.
Parenting and behavioral change (teaching our children proper online etiquette) are the keys to locking out many of the risks and therefore encouraging the benefits to surface by being civil to one another.
It is really a moot question; Pandora’s Box is already opened. Even if we decide, the benefits do not outweigh the risks, then what? It is now a thread woven into the social fabric of our children’s behavior and lifestyle.
It is not much different than asking the same question regarding the benefits of the media: Internet, television, magazines, books, etc. are outweighed by the risks. There exist polar opposites for each which, fortunately the majority considers unacceptable and the extreme.
We just had a discussion today regarding “monitoring” your child’s online activity. The benefits (good parenting in the 21st Century) opposed to the perceived risks (spying on your child).
Like the Internet, online social networking anomalies, are no longer considered technology tools, these are elements of your child’s everyday life as much as going to school, dating, and learning to drive. Technologies will continue to influence the behavior of future generations and most likely, each will provide a benefit (most likely the catalyst that spreads it viral) and a risk; those who invariably find a misuse to cause harm to others.
However, the question should be directed to the Internet… Do the benefits outweigh the risks? After all, social networking is a byproduct of the Internet. The answer to this question is; it depends.
As for my partner and me, the internet and social networking offer more benefits than risk and we intend to do everything within our powers to make sure our children and as many of the new Net-Generation are empowered with the skills to understand the difference.
Parenting and behavioral change (teaching our children proper online etiquette) are the keys to locking out many of the risks and therefore encouraging the benefits to surface by being civil to one another.
As the parent of a teenaged daughter who has been cyberbullied on Facebook through the use of the "compare people" and subsquent "Gossip about this person" feature, I would have to say that this particular application is very bad. Nothing good comes from allowing teenagers to post comments about each other anonymously for everyone in the network to see. I was shocked and deeply saddened to see the comments that were being posted about my daughter and other students. I have never seen such hateful, derogatory, vile messages in my life.
I contacted Facebook about this and they replied that they are not responsible for this feature as it was developed by a third party & that I should disable it from the settings. Very disappointing response. No accountability or responsibility for creating an opportunity for teenagers to verbally abuse each other.
Overall, social networking in theory is good but I see absolutely no benefit in this particular "Gossip" feature. Sure I can remove it from the site but the damage has already been done & what about all of the other parents who don't even know what's going on with their kids? I take the time to monitor and check but honestly most parents don't.
As the parent of a teenaged daughter who has been cyberbullied on Facebook through the use of the "compare people" and subsquent "Gossip about this person" feature, I would have to say that this particular application is very bad. Nothing good comes from allowing teenagers to post comments about each other anonymously for everyone in the network to see. I was shocked and deeply saddened to see the comments that were being posted about my daughter and other students. I have never seen such hateful, derogatory, vile messages in my life.
I contacted Facebook about this and they replied that they are not responsible for this feature as it was developed by a third party & that I should disable it from the settings. Very disappointing response. No accountability or responsibility for creating an opportunity for teenagers to verbally abuse each other.
Overall, social networking in theory is good but I see absolutely no benefit in this particular "Gossip" feature. Sure I can remove it from the site but the damage has already been done & what about all of the other parents who don't even know what's going on with their kids? I take the time to monitor and check but honestly most parents don't.
WILL MY OPINON IS THE FACT OF THIS BEING I REALLY AND TRULY DON'T HAVE A PROBLEM WITH YOUNG CHILDREN USING THE INTERNET TO GET ON CERTAN THINGS LIKE SAY FOR INCEST IF YOU WERE THE CHILD AND YOU HAD A MYSPACE OR OF FACEBOOK YOU would not WANT YOUR MOTHER OR FATHER CHEACKING UP ON YOU EVERY TIME NOW WOULD YOU WHAT IAM TRYING TO GET TO YOU IS THAT YOU SHOULD LET YOUR YOUNG ONE HAVE A MYSPACE OR A URBANCHAT or maybe even a bebo IF THEy DO THE RIGHT THINg but you know its all ways up to you i mean its you children!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
WILL MY OPINON IS THE FACT OF THIS BEING I REALLY AND TRULY DON'T HAVE A PROBLEM WITH YOUNG CHILDREN USING THE INTERNET TO GET ON CERTAN THINGS LIKE SAY FOR INCEST IF YOU WERE THE CHILD AND YOU HAD A MYSPACE OR OF FACEBOOK YOU would not WANT YOUR MOTHER OR FATHER CHEACKING UP ON YOU EVERY TIME NOW WOULD YOU WHAT IAM TRYING TO GET TO YOU IS THAT YOU SHOULD LET YOUR YOUNG ONE HAVE A MYSPACE OR A URBANCHAT or maybe even a bebo IF THEy DO THE RIGHT THINg but you know its all ways up to you i mean its you children!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
honestlly i think it's okay for kids to be on myspaece or facebook as long as they know what they are doing. but if children are putting revealing pics and such it's the parents fault. parents should see what they're children are putting up on the internet and what they are saying.
I'm doing a writing and speaking competition on this topic, and I think the dangers to outweigh the benefits, I'm just trying to find every detail I can about it, but I liked your entry! 🙂
I'm doing a writing and speaking competition on this topic, and I think the dangers to outweigh the benefits, I'm just trying to find every detail I can about it, but I liked your entry! 🙂
I'm a 32 year old computer tech and NO social networking is NOT safe but like most things people will realize this later. It's like smoking. It's the "in" thing right now and everyone is saying it's so great. However, we will all see just how much the neg. consequences outweigh the pos. It's unfortunate. But give time to time and the responsible parents that kept their children off of social networking sites will be happy they did.
what is the difference between cyberbullying and face-to-face bullying? I think this is a parent/child issue! if parents are not watching what their children are doing on the internet, they will be just oblivious to what their children are doing period. i am making an argument that social networking websites are beneficial and good for our society. You get to connect w/long lost friends and relatives, and you can also explore all sorts of network sites that provide the same interest as you. We just all need to be a little bit more responsible and use these social websites maturally! just as you responsibly look after ur child and monitor everything they do. whether cyberbullying or face-to-face, the effects of that is still the same! if you are concerned with ur child's safety while in school, u should also be concerned w/their daily activities online. period.
what is the difference between cyberbullying and face-to-face bullying? I think this is a parent/child issue! if parents are not watching what their children are doing on the internet, they will be just oblivious to what their children are doing period. i am making an argument that social networking websites are beneficial and good for our society. You get to connect w/long lost friends and relatives, and you can also explore all sorts of network sites that provide the same interest as you. We just all need to be a little bit more responsible and use these social websites maturally! just as you responsibly look after ur child and monitor everything they do. whether cyberbullying or face-to-face, the effects of that is still the same! if you are concerned with ur child's safety while in school, u should also be concerned w/their daily activities online. period.
the best qualities of social networking is the ability to find people all over the world with same interest as yourself.im a true believer in that statement, because I have military friends that I can keep up with because of the power of those social networks. But I know there are negative aspects of social network such of the ability of predators to being able to find potential victims on these networks.
the best qualities of social networking is the ability to find people all over the world with same interest as yourself.im a true believer in that statement, because I have military friends that I can keep up with because of the power of those social networks. But I know there are negative aspects of social network such of the ability of predators to being able to find potential victims on these networks.
Facebook is a social networking site that is used for a wide variety of reasons. Whatever the reason for use, users continue to participate in actively using the website because they are gaining from it. Their individual gains are specific to their own personal use, but one thing they all gain is quick communication to their network of friends. In the past few weeks there has been continuous media coverage of the civil uprising in Egypt. I was recently watching an interview with Wael Ghonim, who has become well known for “his role in organizing the Egyptian uprising on Facebook” (finance.yahoo.com). In his interview he placed major emphasis on the fact that social networking sites, but specifically Facebook, have enabled this revolution to happen. The youths of the country used Facebook and Twiter to communicate with each other in an effort to (as he says) “get back [their] country” (www.cnn.com). In the many interviews of local Egyptians that I have seen, it is clear that they are thanking Facebook for their freedom. In an interview on CNN, Ghonim made the statement “if you want to liberate a society, just give them the Internet” (finance.yahoo.com). This statement is extremely powerful but true. My point being that although social networking sites (more specifically Facebook) have received plenty of negative coverage, they are being used in a positive way. As we have seen, if it were not for the internet, Egypt would not have gained their freedom.
Facebook has become a primary means of communication between friends, family, colleagues, and even professors. It helps to reconnect old friends, and keep new friends in contact. I was recently watching the news and came across a really interesting story. These two friends who went to college together recently reconnected through facebook. They caught up on each other’s lives and eventually arranged to meet up. One thing led to another and they started dating. Some time went by and they decided to get married. As they were planning their wedding and brainstorming ideas, they realized they would never have reconnected with each other if it weren’t for facebook. They decided to carry a facebook theme throughout their wedding, calling it The Facebook Wedding, and even including a facebook guest book for users to electronically “sign”. Although the idea of a facebook wedding is a bit extreme in my opinion, it really shows how the site helps to connect people. It’s sad that so much of the media coverage of social networking sites is negative, constantly showing the flaws rather than focusing on the positive aspects. I think if more people were to use these sites in a positive way it would help lead to a major decrease in cyberbullying since these type of websites occupy a large part of what is contributing to cyberbullying.
Facebook has become a primary means of communication between friends, family, colleagues, and even professors. It helps to reconnect old friends, and keep new friends in contact. I was recently watching the news and came across a really interesting story. These two friends who went to college together recently reconnected through facebook. They caught up on each other’s lives and eventually arranged to meet up. One thing led to another and they started dating. Some time went by and they decided to get married. As they were planning their wedding and brainstorming ideas, they realized they would never have reconnected with each other if it weren’t for facebook. They decided to carry a facebook theme throughout their wedding, calling it The Facebook Wedding, and even including a facebook guest book for users to electronically “sign”. Although the idea of a facebook wedding is a bit extreme in my opinion, it really shows how the site helps to connect people. It’s sad that so much of the media coverage of social networking sites is negative, constantly showing the flaws rather than focusing on the positive aspects. I think if more people were to use these sites in a positive way it would help lead to a major decrease in cyberbullying since these type of websites occupy a large part of what is contributing to cyberbullying.
How should one respond to cyberbullying? Being that I was cyberbullied because of a guy I was dating I can give insight on how I dealt with cyberbullying. I simply ignored it. I did not give these girls a reason to continue to harass me or call me names. Although you try to ignore what someone might write about you, the words hurt. However, despite what was said and how many times they wrote these hurtful and demeaning things to me I did not let it control my life. Social media sites like facebook have privacy settings that allows you to block individuals and even set your profile to private whereas people that are not your friend are unable to send you a message. I personally think of the bullying gets to a point where you feel threaten then one should notify the police. But every situation is different and when I was bullied I choose to not respond and ignore/block these ladies from contacting me.
Hi
Hi
Are the potential benefits worth the possible risks?
NO.
Are the potential benefits worth the possible risks?
NO.