Friend 1: "Hey (name), do you remember that crazy thing you did in (insert college, high school, middle school, or even elementary school)??"
Friend 2: "Yeah.. that was crazy.. and stupid.. I can't believe I actually did that!"
We have all been there in some capacity. Whether it was a boy running through the girls' locker room in his underwear or doing a silly dance at a classmate's party, random acts of stupidity surrounded by immaturity and the lack of accountability have plagued us all, even the best of the best.
Today's 'youth' (am I really saying that word??? I am not really old yet!) are sharing many of the same experiences with some slightly different attributes. In the end, stupidity and naivety run rampant. The difference is digital accountability.
At a recent faculty meeting, a member of our staff expressed their displeasure of the connections that the Internet provides. I must respectfully disagree. Should we have told this person that as a child they should not have been permitted to use the telephone? Of course not. Connections are what help us to grow intellectually and socially. Connections are what makes literature come alive while we explore it. Connections help us to reach outside of ourselves to experience all there is to offer.
Unfortunately, this includes both good and bad. I am amazed at how many of my 4th and 5th graders are using social networking sites such as Facebook. I will not look down upon them, as I use FB myself. It is not the tool, but proper use that concerns me. There are even interest groups for students from my school. This would surely shock many of my collegues. A few of my students have You Tube accounts as well. While one of my kids makes informative videos about his interests, the other seems to be posting flamatory (downright inappropriate) comments on other people's videos. I was very disappointed, as I view You Tube as a great resource for learning. I am not only worried about this student potentially harassing another student, but also the unstable older student or adult that might pay him a visit to harm him because of his words if he is 'dumb' (for lack of a better word) enough to give out some personal information.
These students need to know that they are accountable for their letters and words on the Internet just as much as if they had written if in their notebook or said it in person. Digital audio and video are accessible in the palm of our hands. So many students have cell phones or Flip style cameras. How will these actions affect their future? Acceptance into a college? Future job prospects? Who knows...
Remember that exchange in the beginning of this article? Try another one in a few years...
Friend 1: "Hey
Friend 2: "Yeah.. that was crazy.. and stupid.. I can't believe I actually did that!"
Friend 1: "Me either. Let me pull it up for you to see!"
Friend 2:
