Children are taught very little with respect to their approach to the internet, which is probably the crux of another problem. One, I argue, that is more significant.
First and foremost, if they are taught anything at all, it’s a very shallow “don’t tell anyone anything personal about yourself” mentality. If this terrible message succeeds, the child will approach the internet with a perspective of anonymity. If extensive resources are spent preaching the glory of anonymity in a society, than the child will never be given an oppertunity or reason to develop accountability, responsibility, or respect. Meaningful relationships cannot be formed when two parties cannot or will not be certain of the other’s identity.
Conversely, if the child is forced to walk this line between using social networking websites (whose primary goal is to disseminate information) and the privacy-paranoid edicts of their parents, it is not unreasonable to simply lie about the scope and nature of their interactions.
If you’re alone, you are prey. If you build self-confidence and a web of trusted1 individuals, you will not succumb to predators.
I argue that the opposite needs to be taught. An aspiring entity in our global web should forge their way, and make a name for themselves. They should reach out and interact with other people, creating a web of reputation that preceeds them. They should meet and interact with these people offline, possibly in the safety of convention space.
If you’re not anonymous, respect is attainable. Children just need to be educated on the importance of some basic human essentials. Respect, confidence, a strong sense of self. Changes in technology should not mitigate these essentials under the guise of security through obscutity.
I consider http://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Don’t_be_a_dick essential reading for all folks, as a first step to protecting themselves from the inevitable backlash. Children learning their way through life stand a higher chance of being hurt by harsh critique of immature actions and unresearched publications than they do of somehow being abducted through IRC.
The internet does not expose children to any more risk than walking down the street to their friend’s house.
- that’s real trust, of the reputable sort ↩
One Comment
Very well written,thank you share.
baidu