Monitoring our Teens Online Behavior: Protecting their "digital tattoos"

When internet access was still fairly new and online access was limited (remember when dial-up was practically your only option?), police agencies and parent groups campaigned for families to monitor and restrict their children's access. Families were warned to keep the family computer out in a public area, know their children's passwords, and check in on their activity often. Community meetings were held, educating families on the dangers and how to protect our children.

Fast forward to today, where our preteens and teens have smart phones, gaming devices with internet access, laptops, and even school devices that give them the means to peruse the internet and social media unmonitored. Even when schools try to block access or parents put restriction codes on devices, our clever children find ways to get around these roadblocks. Parents express that they do not feel they have the understanding, or even more alarming, the "right" to control their children's access.

Then we have social media. Social media gives our children a platform to share, share, and share some more. When they have good news, they share. When they are bored, they share. When they are having fun and want to show how awesome they are, they share...even if it involves illegal activities.

I just perused through some Vine videos. I have heard people talking about it, and it sounded like fun. One parent even told me about her daughter's humorous posts. Some really were humorous and innocent. However, some posts I stumbled upon (no account necessary to see anyone and everyone's videos as this is a Twitter app) were like "really?!?" as they show off their cussing skills, or were reputation-damaging videos that ranged from highly suspicious (looked drunk, had alcohol or drug paraphernalia in background...to out-right-future-damaging evidence of demonstrating their ability to roll a joint, take shots straight out of the bottle, etc.

Side note: Vine is a Twitter app that is supposed to only be downloaded by 17+ as it has no rules against porn, illegal activities, etc.

Not all were that bad...but there were still concerning videos. One video had a teen recording himself talking to the camera (while driving) and then video taping something being held up in front of....wait for it....a don't text and drive air freshener. Hmm....message not received by what is otherwise a really great kid, and he wasn't the only one taping himself while driving.

What all this leads to is this: WE HAVE TO DO BETTER FOR OUR YOUTH!

Parents - MONITOR YOUR CHILDREN'S ONLINE ACTIVITY!! Adults, if you see something that would concern you as a parent, do something about it. Friends with their parents? Say something as simple as "Hey, did you see that video/post/picture? I was concerned for so-and-so's safety and thought you might want to know." Friends with the kid? Offer sound friendly advice or heads up that that video/post/pic can be seen by more than just their friends and can have ugly consequences. If it contains illegal activities, and especially if you work for schools, we have a professional duty to report what we see. Why? First, we are supposed to be looking out for the best interest of the child. Second, if that child ever does have something happen due to their online behavior/sharing, and it is found that we knew about it and didn't report it, we can lose our jobs.

Adults need to STOP turning a blind eye to this damaging behavior. We need to step up and educate our youth on how to behave socially responsible online. Even better, we need to DEMONSTRATE responsible behavior online.

What can I do? First, I have already starting talking with my 6 year old about what is appropriate and what isn't. How some things are private and shouldn't be shared with the world. Second, I need to step up my game at school, educating both staff and students how to be responsible for their "digital tattoo".

Resources:
http://www.netsmartz.org/
http://www.commonsensemedia.org/
http://ciese.org/internetsafety.html

Book Review: Wishing for Someday Soon by Tiffany King

Wishing For Someday Soon by Tiffany King
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Where do I begin? I now realize I have been reading way too many drama-filled, waiting-for-the-stuff-to-hit-the-fan books. Every time I turned the page, I waited for the bottom to fall out (which literally happened in their mother's car).

While the story lacked major drama on every page, what I did find was a heart-wrenching, anger-inducing story of a young girl doing everything she can to take care of her little brother, surviving her mother's wrath just to get them to their "someday soon" fantasy. How any parent can treat their children like personal slaves, beating them when the mood hits is beyond me, but I know this is the reality for some children and quite possibly some students in my own school.

Katelyn has mastered the art of laying low, keeping the "system" at bay for fear of being separated from her little brother. Having attended more schools than actual years going to school, this hasn't been hard. When she hits the tiny town of Four Corners, she finds she can no longer hide in a school that hasn't seen a new student in six years AND only has one small class per grade level.

Why 5 stars? I have a feeling this is going to be one of those stories that sticks with me. I also think this is a story my teens will love. Katelyn's perseverance and self sacrifice along with Max's determination to love and protect her combine with the majority of the characters refusing to let stereotypes define. I believe this will win over many readers wanting to see the good in this world. But....don't be fooled...things aren't all sunshine and lollipops.

Personal Connection: I had a student my very first year of teaching that started late, clearly tested well behind second grade peers (easily understood after seeing the number of schools already attended), and left after only a few weeks. Ten years later I became a librarian at a high school in a different town. I kid you not, I recognized the student the moment I saw her. I hadn't and still do not have any suspicions of abuse like Katelyn experiences in the story, but I wonder how many schools she has been to and whether she has discovered her "someday soon".

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