Recently, a parent at my children’s school told me about an episode of the series Frontline on PBS. The episode is entitled “Growing Up Online – Just how radically is the internet transforming the experience of childhood.” This parent insisted that it was something every parent should see. My first reaction was that it was premature given that my children are only 10 and 9. They do spend some time on a computer but one that is in a common room in our house, not unattended in their bedrooms. We have all sorts of parental controls installed and only my 10 year old is allowed email and only to a very limited number of addresses. The truth is, he’s not even that interested in anything on line other than looking up sports trivia or some online sports games. I know that their desire for rabid emailing and text messaging awaits me but I just didn’t think it was something to worry about just yet.
A few months later, I came across the PBS website while doing some research on another subject and there I found video links to the Frontline episodes and took a look. I consider myself to be pretty aware of what’s going on in the world and very in touch with what my children are up to and still, I was shocked. I urge you all to watch it when you have a chance, not for the shock value, but because I’m a believer that it’s always best to have your eyes wide open.
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