Growing Up Online is a documentary that explores the lives of teenagers who have been impacted by the internet in some way. It also shares viewpoints from their families and friends. It's broadcasts how growing up in an age of the internet brings on challenges for parents and teachers alike.
1. A survey by the Pew Internet & American Life Project found that in 2004, 67 percent of parents said the Internet has been a good thing for their children. However, this number decreased to 59 percent in 2006. In 2012, 69% of parents of online teens said they were concerned about how their child’s online activity might affect their future academic or employment opportunities, with some 44% being “very” concerned. Cite some reasons why parental support for their children’s independent internet use is decreasing. Why do you think the number of parents who reported the Internet being a good thing for their children has decreased?
Some reasons why there is a decline for parent support for their children's internet usage are: It's addictive, they don't know what their children are doing and have trouble monitoring it, cyber bullying, pornography, and etc. I believe the biggest reason why parents have started to shift their perspective is because they know more about what happens on the internet now than before it became a huge craze.
2. More teachers are using tools to try to detect cheating or deter students’ inclination to cheat. In the program, we see the use of plagiarism-detection tools like Turnitin.com and writing assignments completed during class time to make sure students do their own work and generate their own ideas.How can we as educators stop students from using material they found online as their own work? Should that be considered cheating, in your opinion?
Turnitin.com is a great internet tool that teachers can use. I like how one of the teachers stated that we can look at it as students stealing or look at it as a benefit of them using it as a skill. I don't think there is a lot we can do to stop students from using materials they have found online, it's a reality. We can continue to educate about plagiarism and reprimand those who don't follow the rules.
3. One student claims he "never reads books" but relies on summaries and annotated notes he finds on Web sites. He confesses that he feels guilty about this, stating, "I feel like I kind of cheated it."In your opinion, should he feel guilty? Why or why not?
I have to admit that I've used spark notes as a undergrad before. There's a fine line between catching up for class and literally going to spark notes every time you have to write a book report. I think it's all about personal responsibility and time management, but on the other hand spark notes is there for a reason. I don't believe he should feel entirely guilty as much as I believe he should put in more effort.
4. Before the Internet, in order to be seen by the world, you had to be portrayed in some form of mass media, and you had to be famous in some respect -- in the news, in politics or as a celebrity. Now anyone can be seen online by anyone else in the world. Some people have become famous for videos or photos they’ve posted (such as Autumn Edows).
In your opinion, should people like Edows, or others who become “ famous” through their online presence, be considered “celebrities?”
Absolutely not, but society has changed it's view of what a celebrity should consist of.
Has the ability to create an online persona, and receive worldwide attention for it, affected our cultural values?
Definitely. There are numerous people who have become famous via the internet or social media sites. Some of this is positive, in regards to people who are making social changes for society. I feel like a lot of people have lost touch with who they are due to social media. They try to fit into a persona or whatever's trendy and that definitely affects cultural values.
5. Shows like "To Catch a Predator" on Dateline NBC (http://www.nbcnews.com/id/10912603/) contribute to parental anxiety about online media. It is obvious that certain elements of programs like “To Catch a Predator,” and even this documentary, will likely increase parents’ fears.Cite one current event from the past year where a young person has been affected (positively or negatively) by being active online.
This didn't happen in the last year but this is a recent article about Caine's Arcade, a young boy who made a arcade out of boxes at his father's auto shop. It turned into a documentary that went viral and raised over 239,000 to date for Caine's scholarship fund. People, including celebrities, travel all over the world to visit Caine's Arcade.
6. Teasing, lying, gossiping, threatening, spreading rumors or harassing online (and offline)can severely affect people’s self-concept and self-esteem and have an impact on their emotional state. In the program, we see one girl who describes flirting with boys and then revealing she was just kidding. She explains: "You wouldn’t do that to someone’s face, but online is completely different. ... No one can do anything. You’re at your house, they’r e at their house."
In her quote, this teen is describing Suler’s disinhibition effects. Which one do you think it is, and why?
Dissociative Imagination, because she feels that her actions hold no responsibility or ties to her since it's all online.
7. At the end of the program, Greg decides it’s time for him to "disconnect" by going to the Coast Guard Academy, where he will spend seven weeks without cell phones or the Internet.
Have you ever thought about "disconnecting" from it all?
Yes.
Do you think it would be easy or difficult for you personally?
For a few days or a weekend I would be fine without a cellphone or the Internet.
What would you enjoy or dislike about disconnecting?
I would enjoy not having to feel obligated to connect with others via technology. I would dislike not being able to instantly communicate with family since they don't live locally.
