Tweens, Teens, and Computers in Social Networking
I always love when I get a chance to talk about social media and education because those topics are so important to me. A few weeks back when I was presenting a social media camp at ITEC Chicago I got a chance to meet Leslie Minkus. Leslie is the CEO and founder of Kid Dads Moms a company that specializes in providing parents, students and teachers with tools designed to help kids learn by emphasizing their natural strengths or what KDM calls “Edudevelopment factors”. Naturally this intrigued me since it’s exactly what I teach in my Creative and Visual Thinking classes.
Yesterday, I got a chance to sit down with Les and Donna Bast, author of the book “Teens and Computers - What’s A Parent To Do?” to discuss computer and social network usage among teens and tweens.
Some key take-aways from our conversation:
- Despite what we are told, kids aren’t computer geniuses - They are simply adopt technology faster than previous generations. However, this fast adoption doesn’t mean they don’t want things to work the right way and be simple to use
- Parents have to be actively involved - This doesn’t start the day your child decides to join MySpace. If you don’t talk with them outside the virtual world, don’t expect to have much influence with their online behavior.
- Let your kids take baby steps - It’s OK for kids to use online resources, it’s a part of life now. Parents should however monitor from an early age to make sure that the content is age appropriate.
- Educators need to get involved - There is a whole new world of opportunity in education supported by social media. Educators and parents just need to jump in and make sure they understand what is going on.
As usual these conversations about social media and computing always come back to two thingz - honesty and open communication, not the tools. If you really want to educate teens about computing, social media and online etiquette - start offline.
Note: Audio comments are enabled if you want to live a social media snack for us 
On November 13, 2007 @ 10:51 am Chris Risen said
Great points all around. It is vital for parents to stop separating the virtual world from the real world mainly because the virtual one ultimately spills over into the real one. We see the negative side of this happening more so than the positive side by just turning on the news occasionally. Like Kelsey points out this starts OFFLINE first. Parents and educators must engage their kids in a more holistic way not just a segmented one with which some parents are most comfortable. I’ve heard it said that for kids, Rules - Relationship = Rebellion. I think the same pattern holds true for computing, social media, etc., Tools [social media] - Teaching [parental/educational] = Treacherous[just as many online dangers as there are wonders]. So, before anyone goes and calls me Chicken Little, allow me to say that I couldn’t function without the Internet or the tools that have been developed because of it. Like any good parent should, we better learn about what’s “teaching” our kids so that we are able to guide them as we should. Just my $.02.
On November 13, 2007 @ 11:08 am Kelsey Ruger said
Chris I really like your equations. I’m using those.
On November 13, 2007 @ 2:23 pm Mabelin said
I agree 100%, it is ok to allow your children to use online tools. The key is to carefully monitor their usage. Online tools are great assets both in classrooms and homes. Used correctly, technology can expose children to distant worlds, and new concepts and ideas.