13 year-olds technically aren’t old enough to be on Facebook… Being a Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest, Yik Yak, SnapChat and Vine user myself, I know there are inappropriate things on social medias. From females twerking with limited clothes on and men groping themselves, to the "f-word" being used every other syllable, how can parents, guardians, and teachers be comfortable letting their teenager, or even younger child, on the internet? But how will they learn to be an online citizen? We need to teach them. Or they can learn by these inappropriate things…
So, how do we teach children to be online citizens?
The internet, social media, and technology can be very useful, when used appropriately. I remember when I was around the age of 12, my big sister was about 15. She had just gotten her first cellphone. Being so impressionable, I immediately wanted an e-mail (because I had so many important people to talk to). I asked my mom and dad if I could get an e-mail account. They told me that it was more of an "adult" thing and I didn't really need one.
But with begging and tears, I finally got my first e-mail account. I remember my mom and dad told me to be very careful; Don't talk to strangers who may have gotten my e-mail address. Don't send things I wouldn't say in person. Don't give people any identification of myself; full name, age, address, school, so I would stay safe.
I remember my first e-mail went to my cousin, Tyler. He taught me "text messaging lingo;" LOL, OMG, TTYL, G2G, BRB. Shortly after my e-mail account, I started a Messenger AOL account so I could instant message my friends right after school. Around the age of 14, I created my current Facebook page.
The internet, social media, and technology can be very useful, when used appropriately. I remember when I was around the age of 12, my big sister was about 15. She had just gotten her first cellphone. Being so impressionable, I immediately wanted an e-mail (because I had so many important people to talk to). I asked my mom and dad if I could get an e-mail account. They told me that it was more of an "adult" thing and I didn't really need one.
But with begging and tears, I finally got my first e-mail account. I remember my mom and dad told me to be very careful; Don't talk to strangers who may have gotten my e-mail address. Don't send things I wouldn't say in person. Don't give people any identification of myself; full name, age, address, school, so I would stay safe.
I remember my first e-mail went to my cousin, Tyler. He taught me "text messaging lingo;" LOL, OMG, TTYL, G2G, BRB. Shortly after my e-mail account, I started a Messenger AOL account so I could instant message my friends right after school. Around the age of 14, I created my current Facebook page.
Now, the evolution of technology integrated into our everyday lives has certainly advanced. Back home, my little neighbor kids (10, 9, and 6) have had technology in their lives as long as I can remember. I tried teaching the 6 year-old how to use a computer mouse because she was accustomed to a touch-screen. One evening, while baby-sitting these bright children, I heard uncontrollable giggling from the living room. |
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I walked in and asked what was so funny. They immediately clicked the home button on their iPad. Suspicious, I asked them kindly to open up the browser page. Unsurprisingly, the little girl had Googled the word "poop."
Now, this was quite humerus because they are the cutest kids in the world. But I remember sitting down with them, saying they need to be careful what they search on the internet, because there can be very naughty things that come up. They smiled and nodded and continued to giggle as they looked at poop.
Now, this was quite humerus because they are the cutest kids in the world. But I remember sitting down with them, saying they need to be careful what they search on the internet, because there can be very naughty things that come up. They smiled and nodded and continued to giggle as they looked at poop.
Teaching children to be online citizens can be as simple as pooping. That is, of course, if they aren't constipated. Which, in theory, can mean they have the resources available to them to be safe on the internet. Many schools have small lessons with their librarian or health teacher to talk about safe browsing. This can encompass which key words to type in, which sites are appropriate with liable resources, how to handle pop-ups or cookies. Many schools have strong fire-walls that block inappropriate material from being searched or popping-up, but when at home, it is important that the student knows how to use safe-browsing techniques.