Kids are growing up in a digital world. They connect, share, learn, explore, and play in way unimaginable just a generation ago. This is the only world they know and their parents, teachers, political leaders and even the media are all doing what they can to catch up. The emergence of social media, in all its extraordinary forms, is pushing the boundaries of what we think of as private while giving us all, and our children, a platform to express ourselves anytime, anywhere.
It can be an unnerving prospect to a parent or teacher to see their kids pack so much processing power in their pockets. The media have played on these fears with screaming headlines and nightly news leads about cases of online predators, pornography, cyberbullying and sexting. Some lawmakers have proposed online safety legislation based on a single event, such as a suicide that had an online component to it. At least one state attorney general suggested raising the age limit for kids accessing social media to 16 years.
While understandable, these reactions are not always helpful or healthy. The promotion of fear, uncertainty, and doubt may make for provocative headlines, but it does little to create an informed and empowered young citizenry, prepared to take on the challenges of the future. The power of social media and new technology has transformed the notion of citizenship, the pro-social set of behaviors that enable people to be connected to the world around them.
And with these new powers comes new responsibilities. Parents and educators must be prepared to guide their kids in this new digital world. Policy makers must help advance the right ideas that help keep kids safe. And, ultimately, teens must be equipped to make smart, safe and responsible choices online in order to reap the many opportunities presented in the digital world.
Indeed, everyone has a stake.
In this document, FOSI - the Family Online Safety Institute - seeks to add a reasoned and research-focused voice to the conversation about families and technology. In Part One, we will identify some of the most common myths that are fostering parental anxiety about technology and will identify the latest research to dispel those myths. In Part Two, we will articulate principles that will help families to make the right choices for themselves. In Part Three we call on every stakeholder in this conversation to play an active role. We hope this paper helps frame the conversation about the realities of social media and technology for families.