The pace that society moves in this techno-gadget new world order is amazing! Young people are experts at multitasking – homework, talking with friends and surfing the net while sending a text is common in a young person’s bedroom!

People are becoming techno junkies – they are afraid to be away from their computer for too long.

The brain processes of individuals needing to always be connected are similar to those addicted to drugs. Sometimes it seems that there is no escape!

What can parents and teachers do if they suspect a young person is addicted?

Key Ideas:

• Explain to the individual the problems associated with addiction (i.e. Social withdrawal, bright lights at night may affect sleep, importance of reducing number of hours “Plugged in” etc ).
• Individual must recognise there is a problem – if any progress is to be made.
• Limit technology use – where possible. However, withdrawal may result in increased levels of anxiety.
• Suggest an alternative to technology use, such as talking with friends face to face, doing some exercise or reading a “paper” book.

Useful Information:

• Kids and Tech: How much is too much?
• Personal Tech Addiction Snares Teens, Adults
• Teenagers at Risk of Internet addiction
• The rise of Technology addiction
• How to Tell If You Are Addicted to Technology

Enjoy your computer!

MySpace and FaceBook are the most well known social networking sites available to young people.  A fourteen year old girl once told me that she spent over 5 hours one night working on her MySpace profile. She was updating her profile and sending messages to her friends. When I asked how much time she spent on home work, she replied, “none!”

Young people need a few guidelines when it comes to internet usage. Internet and technology addiction in young people is increasing.

Education is the key to helping young people understand how to use technology safely and effectively; to their benefit, rather than to their detriment!

MySpace guidelines

1. Respect – yourself and your friends.
2. Privacy – in most cases profiles should be private.
3. Photos – just remember that every photo you put up can be downloaded and saved. Use low resolution in your images. Ask yourself – how will I feel in a few years time if people saw this photo?
4. Content – you don’t have to write for your Grandma to read, but be mindful that anything you put online can be captured (i.e. with a screen shot) and saved to use months or even years later!  Don’t misuse other people’s content. It’s simply not nice to take a picture of one of your friends and add a “funny” caption to it. This can easily be misinterpreted and hurtful.
5. Time Limit – in most cases, it is best to set a time limit on how much time you spend on My Space. Maybe do your homework before you go online?
6. Friend access – it is great to have lots of online friends, but be careful who you add as a friend. Not everyone online is who they appear to be! It is best to add people who you have physically met and know.
7. Screen name – try to use a screen name or a nick name. Limit information that can be directly traced back to you.
8. Security – try to use a secure password and secret question. People who know you well might be able to easily guess your password, or unlock your password through your secret question. Try to use numbers and letters in a random order.
9. Be positive – try to leave uplifting and positive messages for your friends. MySpace is not the place to fight or resolve conflict.  Everyone likes to receive positive messages that make them feel good.
10. Have fun! – As that is what it is all about!

Download a lesson plan for MySpace use.

Be safe online

Technology can be of immense benefit but unfortunately it can also be used to cause harm to others. For example, it is often much easier to make a hurtful comment via text in an instant message, email or SMS, than to say the same thing in person.

Cyber Safety is an essential responsibility for educators, parents and students.

What is cyber bullying?

Cyber bullying is the use of technology to intentionally cause harm to others. Bullying usually involves a differential of power, where there is a clear victim or victims and perpetrator. However, any act that causes intentional harm to others can be viewed as bullying.

Cyber bullying is bullying via information and communication tools such as the internet or a mobile phone. It is a growing concern in our gadget-obsessed generation. While cyber bullying may not take place at school, it has detrimental effects to the school community.

We need to educate young people about all acts of bullying. We should encourage students to speak up and refuse to allow a bullying culture to exist. We need to actively encourage problem solving.

Conflict resolution skills can be taught to students through pastoral care programs and occasional individual or small group counselling sessions.

Understanding technology

Those who engage in cyber bullying need to be aware of the consequences. Almost all messages can be traced, even if an ‘anonymous’ screen name or email address is used. The user’s computer has a certain IP (Internet Protocol) address that is recorded by most web and email services and this can be traced back to the user via their ISP. All mobile phone text messages can be traced.  Criminal charges could be filed under several State and Commonwealth laws.

Technology continues to assist us in many ways as long as it is used appropriately.

Reasons for engaging in cyber bullying

There is limited research on specific traits and motivation for cyber bullying. However, traits such as impulsivity, acting without thinking about the consequences, perceiving others’ actions as hostile or threatening may be a reason why individuals engage in bullying type behaviours. Cyber bullies may often consider their actions as a ‘joke’ or a ‘harmless prank’.  Others may engage in such behaviour because they are bored or feel like starting a fight.

Teaching empathy and kindness

Friendship groups will change through the course of your daughter’s education. This is particularly evident in grade 5, towards the end of year 7, during year 8 and even in year 11. This is natural and should not be a great cause of concern.

Young people will have differences in opinion; they will occasionally brush up against in each other, but they will develop skills to deal with such differences. More than ever, character traits such as empathy and kindness are essential to nurture and develop in our young people.

Asking questions like, “How will that person feel if they received this message from me?” or “What am I gaining from sending this message?” are important questions to reflect on.

Setting boundaries and communication

We all need boundaries. Parents have an obligation to monitor their children’s activities online. While social networking sites such as MySpace and FaceBook provide opportunities to engage and interact with others in a positive manner, there should be clear guidelines in place to encourage safe and effective use. For example, most students should flag their profiles as ‘private’ and only add people as ‘friends’ if they know who they are and are comfortable in doing so. 

YouTube provides an opportunity to create a video and present it to the world! But it can often attract negative and degrading comments that can be fragile to a young person’s self esteem. It often starts out as fun, but can quickly get out of hand.

Communication and trust are essential.

Parents need to have clear internet and mobile phone agreements with their children. Effective parenting is closely linked with open lines of communication between parents and children. We need to teach students electronic communication etiquette and help young people understand what constitutes acceptable behaviour and what does not.

We all have a responsibility to work together to address harassment that interferes with every student’s right to an education in a safe environment.

Reference:
Bhat, S.C., (2008) Cyber bullying: Overview and strategies for school counsellors, guidance officers and all school personnel. Australian Journal or Guidance and Counselling. Vol18(10), 55 -66.