I’ve just completed watching the Frontline documentary, “Growing Up Online”. I found the documentary to be very interesting and informative. It gave a well-rounded, thoughtful and insightful view of cyber-lifefor the average American teenager. Included were the comments and opinions of teenagers, teachers, parents, and professionals. The contents covered were: 1) Living Their Lives Essentially Online; 2) A Revolution in Classrooms and Social Life; 3) Self Expression, Trying On New Identities; 4) The Child Predator Fear; 5) Private Worlds Outside Parents’ Reach; 6) Cyberbullying; and 7) Updates. Each topic was covered in an interesting way with compelling life stories and examples. Below, I will answer the 7 questions pertaining to this assignment.
1. I think that parental support for children’s independent use of the Internet is decreasing primarily because of the fear of someone dark and menacing molesting their child, as most parents think about their child potentially being lured into a dangerous situation by a sexual predator. However, according to the documentary, this fear may be over-exaggerated because most children know how to avoid predators online. They simply block someone who might ask them for their address or other personal information that they do not feel comfortable sharing. But, of recent note, cyberbullying and poor behavior that might affect future college acceptance or employment has become major concerns as well.
2. I’m not sure if educators can stop students from utilizing online resources for completing assignments. A major complaint is that students have less time for homework; so, if they can getthe answer or tools to complete an assignment online, why not? Now, is getting the answer online ideal, I don’t think so. Children, as well as adults, struggle to focus mentally and there is an epidemic of information overload and overexposure. It was sad how the young man in the documentary said that he could not remember the last time that he had read a book – it is quickly becoming a lost art. The honest and straight-forward me wants to say, unequivocally, that finding the answers online is cheating; however, the truth be told, I’m a little conflicted. Theharsh reality is that the information is out there – in cyberspace – for just about any question a person could conceive. Should a computer-savvy student be penalized for finding a quicker way to the end result? I’m still not so sure about this one. I tend to agree with the educator who said that we have to meet the student half-way and accept that they are going to use Spark Notes and other sites like this one. But the real question is, “How do we make learning meaningful knowing that these shortcuts are being taken?” And, I have to wonder, in the end, as long as the student is learning, does it really matter?
3. Back to the kid who “doesn’t read books”. Well, I think a little guilt may be good for him – at leasthe knows what a book is! But, the sad reality is that our world has not become less stressful dueto technology. In fact, it has become more stressful and people have less time for family, philanthropy or recreation. So, yes, he should feel guilty; but I’m willing to bet that, even though he may feel guilty, it is a guilt that will continue to be easily dismissed because the payoff is a good grade without consequences, as long as he’s not brought to task on it. Perhaps since the documentary has aired… I realize this is an older documentary :-)
4. I think that the “Autumn Edows” of the world are semi-celebrities in their own right. She has done what managers and publicists have done for entertainers years before – created a carefully crafted image for the viewing public. I’m not knocking her for that. I believe that social media has in many ways leveled the playing field for individuals who want to rise to stardom. One can start a video website or You Tube page with just a computer and webcam and potentially gain “overnight” popularity. Our cultural values have been affected. We definitely live in a more forgiving society than we did in the 1950s or 1960s. The public is much more forgiving of their celebrities’ shortcomings, and much more permissive regarding ethics and moral values. I almost feel sorry for television actors and actresses because the competition is stiff for airtime with reality television “stars”.
5. There was an article published by Ars Technica, a technology news and information website created by Ken Fisher and Jon Stokes in 1998 that featured an article about a 12 year old girl in middle school who was abducted by 32 year old Victor Yanez Arroyo – a convicted felon from Mexico. The girl’s name was dubbed “Jane Doe” due to the nature of the crime committed against her. Arroyo contacted the girl through her Apple device, ICloud, Xbox Live gamer tag, and an application called Kik. Arroyo apparently picked the young girl up right at her doorstep inOctober of 2014. Unfortunately, authorities discovered that Arroyo was not the only predator that the girl had been in contact with. The article also included a chart that showed the increase in arrests for tech-facilitated sex exploitation crimes between the years 2000–2009. The link to this article is: http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2014/11/12-year-olds-online-life-brings-an-abductor-to-her-doorstep/.
6. The Suler’s affect that I think is being demonstrated here is invisibility – “You can’t see me.” Sulermentions that invisibility gives people the courage the say things that they otherwise would not. This is exactly what the young lady in the documentary stated. I thought that it was interesting the way she said that she would have an online exchange of some sort, and then see the person in school the next day, and it would be as if nothing had occurred. Now, there was the incident mentioned where the girls started fighting because of online bullying; however, there was also this obscure world that cyberspace allows which emboldens people to engage in behavior that they otherwise would not do face-to-face.
7. I have thought about disconnecting from it all. In fact, I think that it would be a wonderful experience. However, I am 50 years old! I can remember the joys of reading a book and using my imagination to create images of the characters and locations that I am reading about. It would be easy for me to do this – in fact, I have done it before. I managed to read an entire novelwhile vacationing with my children in Florida one year. It was absolutely heavenly! I enjoyed seeing nature while disconnecting by primarily reading my book outside on an enclosed patio. I enjoy peace and serenity, and would much rather work outside in a garden thaan inside on a computer, iPad, or iPhone. I’m an Apple person, can you tell?
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