I decided to check out a new blog. The one I had been following wasn't really doing it for me. I am one of those people who has to be interested in something in order to keep coming back to it. So I came across the blog called 21apples.org the first post caught my attention right away. It was about children using google buzz and parents getting upset about it. I read the article "Google Buzz may put children at risk, parents fear" on LA Times. What a scary thought, it talks about how many parents are letting their children use google buzz to have conversations with friends but those conversations are being seen by anyone and everyone and also how children are being followed by older pedifile people...WHOA!! After reading this I was scared for my daughter to use these kinds of things when she is old enough, then I read the blog post on 21apples. He talks about how parents should be watching and monitoring their children. DUH!! If you are that upset about your children doing this then put a stop to it immediately! He says that if your children want to have an email account they should do it through your account that way you can monitor what is being said. He says something that made me think...."would you give your kid a car as soon as they wanted one? Start them off with a tricycle in the carpeted basement and you’ll see them progress much more successfully." Great idea!
This is something that I think should be taught in school, internet saftey and should be sent home to parents! I can not tell you how many kids from the elementary school I worked at have a facebook page and not only that a facebook page that is public!! Where are these parents? Anyone can look into these kids pages and see what they are doing, where they are going, and who they hang out with...ANYONE! If parents aren't going to watch their children I feel like as a teacher I should. I would be devestated if I found out something happend to one of my students because of something so preventable as setting your page to private or better yet...not having one! What are your opinions on this topic? Am I over reacting?
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I think that children must learn to navigate the Internet safely and that we as teachers and parents must scaffold their development and monitor their use of the Internet. It is too important a tool - we must guide their safe and responsible use.
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