Released January 08, 2009
STILLWATER, Okla. – Today’s teenagers are connected in every sense of the way – through cell phones and many Internet features. How do you know what your teen is up to with all this connectivity?
Debbie Richardson, Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service parenting assistant specialist, said social networking on Web sites have a wide range of appeal for teenagers. Many online networking sites combine Internet features into one site, including blogs, personal Web pages, instant messaging, online chats and user forums.
“The most popular of these features is the personal Web page,” Richardson said. “Personal Web pages allow users to create a page that reflects them by uploading pictures, stating their interests, preferences and other information about themselves. Commonly used networking sites among teens include MySpace and Facebook.”
“Living and Learning with New Media: Summary of Findings from the Digital Youth Project,” a report recently released by the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, suggests that today’s youth may be coming of age and be dealing with intense pressures for independence in the middle of the worlds of communication, friendship, play and self-expression.
According to the research, the digital world is creating innovative opportunities for youth to tackle social norms, discover interests, develop technical skills and experiment with new forms of self expression. Internet activities have captured teens’ attention thanks to opportunities for extending social worlds, self-directed learning and independence.
Still, many adults may worry children are wasting time online, said Richardson.
“Youth are usually associating with people they already know in their offline lives and the majority uses these Web sites to ‘hang out.’” she said. “A smaller number of youth uses the online world to discover interests and find information that goes beyond what they are offered in their school or community. These online communities allow youth to connect to peers who share their common interests.”
Richardson said while letting your teen explore their interests, parents need to be aware of the possible dangers lurking in online communities.
“Parents and caregivers should know something about the networking sites their teen is part of,” she said. “Look for the information people post, including age, interests and photos, and consider what the information conveys. Social networking sites are public, this means people of all ages, interests and backgrounds can and do access the Web sites.”
Social networking sites pose risks and unplanned consequences, about which parents and teens need to be concerned. Richardson suggests the following when discussing sites with your teen:
- Safety first. There are many cases where sexual predators were able to identify and locate teens through the personal information that was posted.
- Information thought only to be of interest to friends can get in the hands of others, often with negative results. Make sure teens limit the personal information put on their profile.
- Tell your teen it is OK to meet someone in person whom they have met online. If they are approached with this situation, they should tell you immediately.
“Be sure to support your teenager as they use online social networking to stay connected with trusted friends and family,” Richardson said. “When parents and teenagers both understand what is going on online, the result can be positive and rewarding for all involved.”
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Contact: Katie Reim, 405-744-6792, katie.reim@okstate.edu
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