Chapter 7:  Are Today's Youth Digital Natives?

Boyd talks about the rhetoric of "digital natives," with their being a huge variation in knowledge and experience.  The debate ensues about whether the tech savvy children of today are mining their way through the familiar technological territory, yet dangerously with such limited life experience, or is this just a powerful way of forging ahead in their engaging digital world?  In general, they run the high risk of putting themselves in precarious situations,  or flat out dangerous ones.  The ease with which the children of today can navigate around the internet is phenomenal, and many even DO have a fairly good sense of what they are doing, too. 

Teens are reaching out to others who share common interest with them via the internet, and although many have a positive experience, it can be scary when others may not even be who they portray themselves to be.  There has to be some medium pathway of parental monitoring whether it be parental controls, or sharing of information ... one would think.  Open communication is a must when it comes to knowing your child, and how they are feeling, and who they might want to talk to on the internet.  Some kids/teens are doing the gaming and using regular discourse with the same online buddies to forge new friendships, or gaming partnerships.  Some meet online via time scheduling in order to play in teams.  There is even money to be made if you are good enough to qualify for the more challenging games (like Fortnite).  Taking an interest in the gaming or whatever your kids are into on the internet is obviously important to the safety and well being of the child, and also necessary to keep them safe on a variety of levels. 

My daughter connects on TIC TOC by sharing her voice with friends, and she also shares her anime drawings with others who draw.  She participates in CosPlay and often videotapes herself as an anime character or singing (as she is a voice student).  This is one of her favorite characters....

http://vm.tiktok.com/RLvxTc/

I like the idea that kids have places to share their artsy interests with peers who appreciate these same levels of drama.  She has also been in acting classes, so I am monitoring her freedom of self expression while she is exploring her interests in sharing her art on social media.