Teens are erasing the “Digital Divide,” but how safe are they?

It’s just as I thought. Our kids are pushing all of us (parents) deeper into the world of technology – whether we’re ready or not.

I’m referring to a study I just read (you can view it here if you’d like) by EduGuide.org that found that teens are motivating their parents, including those with the lowest levels of education, to get “connected.” And those teens are credited with closing the “Digital Divide.” In fact “80 percent of parents with less than a college degree, previously thought to be among the least connected, now use the Internet compared to 72 percent of all adults.” They are also “more likely to access the Internet by broadband at home.” The study is aimed at college access professionals (i.e. college admissions staff, counselors, etc.) who want to increase their access to first-generation college students (those whose parents never enrolled in postsecondary education) and their parents.

And, I think, the study reflects shows that things are headed in the right direction. Having been a first-generation student, I’m glad to hear that the “digital divide” is closing and that educators are gaining access to those “hard-to-reach” students via their home Internet access. However, I’m troubled by the question of who is actually in charge of that Internet access. I would guess that the person most comfortable and well-versed in the use of the family’s home computer is also the one charged with managing it’s security and access. I would also guess that, in most cases, that person is the teen, not the parent.

If you think of the Internet as a digital representation of our society (as I do), then that’s just plain scary. Online there are fun and useful places like retail stores, schools, libraries, and theme parks. There are places to get intangibles such as professional advice and places that will deliver food right to your door. There are also “seedy” elements such, as casinos, “adult” book stores, and the like. If they’ve thought about it at all, many parents are just hoping that their kids won’t get into trouble. But imagine being 14 years old and having unfettered ability to experience anything that attracts your attention. So much curiosity, so little wisdom, so much trouble waiting to happen.

So this has started me thinking about two things: 1) gathering information about internet safety and parental controls and 2) figuring out how to reach parents, especially those who are less than comfortable with computers, with that information. I hope to have more on this soon . . .

Tara