Why kids do what they do on MySpace
My response to Stephen Downes' comments in OLDaily June 8:
As a parent and technology guy, I am extremely concerned about kids (by that I will loosely say anyone under 18, certainly anyone under 16) using myspace and other social sites.
The problem I have with these sites centers around the fact that they are the online equivalent of kids attending a cocktail party and mixing with adult strangers of every shape and motivation.
The reason I think more introspection isn't happening is that far too many teachers and parents do not understand enough about the power of this technology, and the potential impact on kids. While parents might say 4 hours of video games is enough, they seem reluctant to draw boundaries around social computing/chat/IM. Parents don't use it, haven't seen the range of stuff that's on it, and so rather than err on the side of caution throw open the doors lest they be branded as uncool by their kids.
Similarly, if you look at how the majority of teachers handle internet use, I'll wager that far too often there is little understanding of the needs of young minds to be able to purposefully, effectively and safely use this medium. Many may think if they simply say "you can use the internet" for research, that they have checked the technology box - but how often do teachers ask how a student conducted her research, what role the parents played, which were primary resources, etc.? I fear that we are raising a generation that will be unable to manually sift through text to determine arguments, core points or concepts.
I think the type of pathology represented by spending untold hours online is only now beginning to be understood and studied for adults - never mind the impact on young minds.
Teachers, parents, and administrators don't/can't ask 'why do they behave this way?' because they don't understand the medium. They have no frame of reference as to what is appropriate and not, since they have not participated in the culture.
I have two comments about 'what would lead a student to think that this is appropriate':
1) If you were to ask, I bet many would say they don't really know - the reason being that they are simply exploring various forms of independence and risk taking (as teens are well known for), and things that might have ten years ago simply been said among pals in the parking lot of a 7-11 are now published on the web for all to see. Watch interviews with high school kids who act out or behave poorly socially or academically - when asked why they do it or if they have thought about the consequences, they simply say they don't know. Or they haven't thought about it. Or don't care. Unfortunately, none of those responses provide insights or avenues for modifying the behaviors.
2) Look at who is modeling online behavior in myspace - it is largely adults who post provocative photos and language. Kids see this, take it as acceptable and cool, and do it themselves. Again, typical behavior for teens.
Add a lack of modeling of positive or acceptable behavior in this venue by teachers and parents, and voila - negative models yield negative results. How much time do _you_ spend posting things on myspace? I don't. Who does? - far too often it is people with an axe to grind, show offs, exhibitionists, etc..
If you haven't read The Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell, take a look at the section on smoking and why teens take it up - I see strong parallels here. Myspace and other similar social sites are the 'behind the shed' of the millenials.
As a parent and technology guy, I am extremely concerned about kids (by that I will loosely say anyone under 18, certainly anyone under 16) using myspace and other social sites.
The problem I have with these sites centers around the fact that they are the online equivalent of kids attending a cocktail party and mixing with adult strangers of every shape and motivation.
The reason I think more introspection isn't happening is that far too many teachers and parents do not understand enough about the power of this technology, and the potential impact on kids. While parents might say 4 hours of video games is enough, they seem reluctant to draw boundaries around social computing/chat/IM. Parents don't use it, haven't seen the range of stuff that's on it, and so rather than err on the side of caution throw open the doors lest they be branded as uncool by their kids.
Similarly, if you look at how the majority of teachers handle internet use, I'll wager that far too often there is little understanding of the needs of young minds to be able to purposefully, effectively and safely use this medium. Many may think if they simply say "you can use the internet" for research, that they have checked the technology box - but how often do teachers ask how a student conducted her research, what role the parents played, which were primary resources, etc.? I fear that we are raising a generation that will be unable to manually sift through text to determine arguments, core points or concepts.
I think the type of pathology represented by spending untold hours online is only now beginning to be understood and studied for adults - never mind the impact on young minds.
Teachers, parents, and administrators don't/can't ask 'why do they behave this way?' because they don't understand the medium. They have no frame of reference as to what is appropriate and not, since they have not participated in the culture.
I have two comments about 'what would lead a student to think that this is appropriate':
1) If you were to ask, I bet many would say they don't really know - the reason being that they are simply exploring various forms of independence and risk taking (as teens are well known for), and things that might have ten years ago simply been said among pals in the parking lot of a 7-11 are now published on the web for all to see. Watch interviews with high school kids who act out or behave poorly socially or academically - when asked why they do it or if they have thought about the consequences, they simply say they don't know. Or they haven't thought about it. Or don't care. Unfortunately, none of those responses provide insights or avenues for modifying the behaviors.
2) Look at who is modeling online behavior in myspace - it is largely adults who post provocative photos and language. Kids see this, take it as acceptable and cool, and do it themselves. Again, typical behavior for teens.
Add a lack of modeling of positive or acceptable behavior in this venue by teachers and parents, and voila - negative models yield negative results. How much time do _you_ spend posting things on myspace? I don't. Who does? - far too often it is people with an axe to grind, show offs, exhibitionists, etc..
If you haven't read The Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell, take a look at the section on smoking and why teens take it up - I see strong parallels here. Myspace and other similar social sites are the 'behind the shed' of the millenials.
posted by J. R. Boyd at 9:40 PM
1 Comments:
I have to say a word about generalization before I get hit with a hailstorm from my educator colleagues.
I know I said "Many (teachers) may think if they simply say "you can use the internet" for research, that they have checked the technology box - but how often do teachers ask how a student conducted her research, what role the parents played, which were primary resources, etc.? ", and I know there is a lot more to it than that.
It all seems to come down to time - time for teachers to have professional development with real technology meat in it, time to apply what they know, time to spend with kids sitting in front of computers, time for parents to learn how this all works, and for them to join their kids in exploring the web, and on and on and on.
If ever there were a starkly evident example of the chasm between digital natives and immigrants - whether kids, parents, or teachers - this is one that will challenge us for a generation.
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