This intimidating (and also creepy) phrase is printed on a sheet of paper on the billboard in Life Science Room 117. What exactly does that mean to you? If someone were watching your every move, or at least, every thing you did on the Internet would that change what you were doing? And if you had the chance, would you take up the opportunity to be the one watching?
Our local newspaper's editorial section was fruitless, at best, so I went for something a bit more national, The New York Times. I ran a search for something relevant to me, which, let me tell you, was actually pretty difficult. I searched for articles related to "teenagers" and found one in particular that blew my mind. Titled, "The Undercover Parent," this article encouraged parents of teenagers to install spyware on their computers to allow parents to monitor everything their children did on the World Wide Web.
Conjecture: Surely, a problem exists; teenagers are constantly finding trouble on the internet, whether via chatrooms, facebook, or instant messaging with internet predators, sneaking around and deceiving their parents, or visiting inappropriate pornographic websites.
Definition: "If you put spyware on your computer, you have the ability to log every keystroke your child makes and thus a good portion of his or her private world."
Quality: The author of this piece feels that it is morally right - nay, it is necessary - to place spyware on your computer to monitor every click your teenager makes.
Policy: Inform all parents of adolescents of the options available with spyware and strongly encourage them to use this within their own homes.
This does not rest at stasis whatsoever. I am completely opposed to this spyware phenomenon; nowhere in the entire article does it mention talking to your children or possibly employing some better parenting strategies so you don't have to go all CIA on your teenagers and drive them further into rebellion. Perhaps this is just my biased, teenager perspective, but I think that this is not only a bad idea, but also rests on a very shaky moral ground. If your teenager can't learn some independence at this critical moment in their life, how can they possibly grow up to be fully-functioning adults? The following is an excerpt from the article:
"Today's overprotective parents fight their kids' battles on the playground, berate coaches about playing time and fill out college applications -- yet when it comes to chatting with pedophiles or watching beheadings or gambling away their entire life savings, then...then their children deserve independence?"
Seriously, people? Talk to your kids. Playing Big Brother isn't going to get you anywhere except in conflict with your children. Being overprotective can only lead to two things: severe rebellion and lack of trust, both of which seem to be the root of all these internet problems.
http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9403EFDD1431F935A25750C0A96E9C8B63&sec=&spon=&pagewanted=1
I totally agree. Never in my life have I ever been irresponsible with the internet because I knew I was smarter than that, but also my parents talked to me. They didn't talk to me in an "if you do this then I'm going to kick your ass" kind of way. They told me the truth, they were sentimental, and they were realistic in an optimistic way. They were understanding instead of defensive. Understanding can keep a teen away from the rebellion.
ReplyDeleteTeenagers are often on the search to be found, to feel good enough and to feel appreciated. That's why high school is so tough. So they go on Myspace and Facebook and add random people who think that they're profile pictures are sexy. They want to be accepted. Then they put themselves in danger
It's important that the parents make teens feel completely accepted, especially when they don't accept themselves. Maybe then teenagers won't be on the internet in search for approval.
Oh! I like this discussion! I didn't grow up with the Internet, so I never went through it as a child, but I do worry about my neices and nephew -- and the ways this tech-savvy world could hurt them.
ReplyDeleteI also love that you started with that creepy sign in LS 116, Ruth! Remind me next week -- let's take it down -- and replace it with one that says "NO -- we're watching YOU!"
--DR. SOUDER
I agree with the assertion that the internet can be dangerous for teenagers. I also believe that unless one is a parent they cannot fully understand the compelling responsibility a mother or father feels with regard to protecting their children from life's dangers, including those arising from the internet. Different parents choose different ways of dealing with this situation, Some strive for open communication, some censor their children all they can. The weak point in this article's outlook on parenting I believe is that it asserts that every child will respond positively and be more safe if parents monitor all of their endeavors on the internet, instead of working to reach out and teach their child about the dangers of the world on a more personal level in which the child can begin relate to on an ideological level.
ReplyDeleteI am a parent, and not to long ago I was a teenager as well. I remember this thing I used to have, like nothing and no one could touch me. Nothing bad was ever going to happen, and often times teenagers are really naive, I look back at some of the situations I put myself in and they weren't the best decisions. I am going to be a creepy parent and I'm proud of it. I plan on having a very open and honest relationship with my children, however I believe a little spying goes a long way. Let's be honest, teenagers aren't going to tell their parents everything. With technology the way it is, you can find out a lot about your children through the internet. I think a mixture of playing Big Brother and giving them a little mental back full of my wisdom ;) is the best approach. This was an awesome topic!
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