I can remember the exact moment that I first heard about Facebook. I was sitting at a table with a few friends during 5th period lunch in the 9th grade. My friend Kelsey had started talking about this new "social networking" website called Facebook and to be honest, I had no idea what she meant. At first the rumor was that the site was only for college students and no one under the age of 18 could even make an account. I didn't really understand what the point of having a Facebook was; why would I want to write on someone's wall or be tagged in a photo? The whole concept of a social networking site was something completely new and at first, unappealing, but it didn't take long before it had spread like wildfire and was the topic of every lunchtime discussion.
Having been a part of the original Facebook generation, I've watched the topic of internet safety evolve from being a few parental control options to a national campaign to teach young people about the dangers of the web. Technology surrounds us. It plays a role in nearly all aspects of our everyday lives. Keeping in tune with current technological innovations is critical if our society is going to stay protected against the dangers of such advancements.
With society becoming increasingly dependent on technology, it's more important now than ever that the upcoming generation understands the risks involved with internet and social networking websites. As a future teacher, I understand that it's imperative to encourage safe behavior and educate my students on the precautions that need to be taken when surfing the web. Teachers can have a profound effect on their student's lives by taking a stand against unsafe internet use and providing the necessary resources to help the young adults in their classroom make educated decisions when it comes to social networking.
To learn more about the importance of internet safety, check out these websites:
