While teens, parents, and schools embrace technology for all of its benefits to kids, there needs to be awareness about its inherent risks, as well.
Kids are learning how to master technology at younger and younger ages. While the internet and cell phones provide many benefits that previous generations couldn’t have even imagined, they can also be used in unhealthy and even dangerous ways, too.
Texting Teen Drivers
Texting has become one of the preferred methods of communication among teens. Because they are so adept at texting, and can do it so quickly, its not uncommon for teens to multitask; texting while eating, doing homework, watching TV, and even, more dangerously, walking or driving. Any activity that compromises a driver’s attention can increase the likelihood of an accident. Teen drivers, who have logged less hours behind the wheel and often lack the judgment that more experienced drivers have, may underestimate their ability to operate the car safely while texting. Since automobile accidents are a major cause of death among teens, and distractions are a contributing factor to most accidents, the explosion of texting among teens is likely to have an impact on teen driving fatalities.
Social Networking Sites
These days, it seems everyone has a Facebook or myspace page. Since its so quick and easy to post pictures, videos, thoughts, and conversations, this may mean that impulsive teens don’t filter what they post as well as they probably should. Add to this the fact that these postings are often not as private as they may seem, and several potential problems resent themselves.
First, kids may post personal or identifying information about them in ways that open them up to identification or attention from people with questionable intentions. In addition, the material they choose to post about themselves now may come back to haunt them later. Potential employers, prospective colleges, and others who look for a professional portrayal may not appreciate those pictures of raucous partying or the comments about sexual experiences.
Camera Phones Photos
Today’s camera phones are small and sneaky. This makes it possible for kids to carry a camera nearly everywhere, and to (often without the person’s knowledge) take pictures or videos in bathrooms, locker rooms, and other places where there is an expectation of privacy. Kids have taken pictures of other kids in compromising, embarrassing, or sexual situations. And then, to add insult to injury, these pictures are often forwarded to numerous other kids or posted online for others to view.
Teen Cyberbullying
The internet has quickly become a preferred method for kids to verbally harass and harm one another. The speed at which kids can exchange information, coupled with the perceived anonymity of internet communication, make it easier for kids to say and do things to each other that they often would think twice about in a face to face situation.
Unfortunately, kids are very adept at using this technology, and their emotional and social development is often lagging behind their technological savvy. For this reason, bullying on the internet has become a real problem. Kids often either don’t understand the impact of their actions, or they don’t consider the consequences before they send a mean comment or forward a threatening message.
Interacting With Internet Predators
Internet predators hang out in teen chat rooms looking for kids they can take advantage of. They recognize that many kids are lonely, feel misunderstood, and are starving for attention. They convince kids that they can fill these needs, and build a relationship over time while encouraging the teen to keep it a secret from others who “wouldn’t understand” their special relationship. In this way, the predator “grooms” the child for the ultimate goal; a face to face meeting where he can use the trust he has gained to initiate sexual activity.
Parents, teachers and youth workers need to be aware of how teens are using technology, both in ways that benefit them and in ways that could be harmful. Awareness, education, open discussion, and supervision will help reduce the chances that kids are involved in these behaviors.
Susan Carney - I have been working as a middle school counselor with 6th and 7th grade students for the past thirteen years. I received a BA in ...
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