Comments on: What’s the Monster Under Your Bed?

By: Lisa Dungate

Lisa Dungate — Fri, 08 Apr 2011 10:56:00 +0000

Thanks Anonymous very much for voicing some of the common fears that parents of the IT generation are talking about.In my son's middle school, for example, the computer lab teacher presented a unit on media literacy, cyber-bullying, and the risks associated long-term with some of the choices they are now faced with making as young people (e.g. what to share/not share on facebook especially when future employers could access their posts).I was grateful to know such topics are now actively discussed in many schools.Most important, is having these types of discussions and innoculating our children at home.What I mean is, become familiar with the technology in their lives, discuss what you are learning too, teach them to exercise their social and intellectual courage muscles by being thoughtful about how they use technology–and to not allow it to use them!Modeling the kind of emotional and social courage that it takes to stand up against peer pressure, make healthy lifestyle choices, and expressing our fears, worries, hopes, and cares instead of numbing them through substances or technology, for that matter, is always a wise approach in parenting.Blessings on the journey…and thanks again for voicing some common fears that so many of us now share.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Thu, 07 Apr 2011 05:20:00 +0000

I am very afraid of the negative trappings of social media and the effects of the "world wide web" on our kids.I'm frustrated that there is this generational gap with regards to technology.I know for instance that the kids are communicating by texting and being on Facebook, but I don't think they can fathom the consequences, if they inadvertently write/forward/video tape something inappropriate.And, when I talk to them about it, they think I'm the big nerd who doesn't "get" their world.They try to reassure me that they are not going to go to any "bad" chat room or reveal our home address online, but they don't seem to understand how easily those things can happen. Also, our parents never had to deal with the Internet, so there is no role model for me.I fear that my boys will make a small mistake and it will have major, detrimental effects on their life or the life of someone else.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Thu, 07 Apr 2011 05:20:00 +0000

I worry that my children will succumb to peer pressure regarding drugs and alcohol, possibly in high school, but even more so when they’re away at college.They have older cousins and they watch movies (i.e., Facebook), and hear about and see this behavior.