Teacher Bytes

Web 2.0 is great for students to publish creative works using blogs, podcasts, or videos. However, the Internet is probably the worst place to put your deepest, darkest, secrets. Even if you use every security precaution known to man, someone can eventually find what you have posted. That is why I always tell students and teachers two things. First, what goes on the Internet, stays on the Internet. Second, don’t post anything you would not want your mama to see. As the first wave of digital natives grow into adulthood, eventually some of them will have aspirations for public life in entertainment or politics. That is when all of the pictures and writings will come pouring out of the digital woodwork.

The Island Packet ran a story by Hillary Rhodes of Associated Press yesterday entitled “Teens encouraged to take deep, dark thoughts offline.” In the article Rhodes tells how Princess Diaries author Meg Cabot is working with the American Library Association to hold events across the country, telling students it is okay to write about secrets but to do it in a traditional journal or diary. Cabot is concerned teens are putting TMI (too much information for you digital immigrants) on the Internet. The article does mention parent concerns regarding cyberbullying and stalkers but I believe teens putting too much information that should be private would help prevent some of these threats. With both cyberbullies and stalkers, they find and turn sensitive information against the intended victim. Students need to realize there is a time and place for everything.

Here are some tips Meg Cabot has for teens starting offline diaries

Hide it: don’t let prying eyes find and read the information. Find good hiding places.

Say whatever’s on your mind right now

No strict schedule

No strict rules

Keep it: Cabot says diaries are important historical documents. You never know when you or a decedent may need to look back on your life. As a historian, I would have to agree. Mary Chesnut’s diaries are an important look at how Southern women viewed the Old South and the Civil War.

Source: The Island Packet. Monday, February 11, 2008. Page 9C.