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Running scared of the new technology PART 1 OF A 2 PART SERIES E exploding process of social networking and proliferation of graphic videogames become a detriment to the developmental process of today's children and youth? Anything new that young people grab on to is often of concern to AUL parents. Television, CHWARTZ Rock n Roll, and video games historically have Child received their fair share Behavior of detractors as well as bad, even horrific, press where kids were concerned. Some of the concern was warranted, some not. What are the effects of these Being a "friend" has new, and not so new, social new meaning networking sites and modes of When did "friend" become a communication on our kids? verb, and how is it if an adolescent Tackling all of technology is too has only a few hundred friends much for one column, so I will today, he is considered unpopular? focus on what the current research Facebook, MySpace, Twitter, has to offer on kids and the benefits constant texting and the and potential risk factors that the uncountable number of blogs and internet poses to today's adolescent. modes and channels of social Internet changing our kids networking on the internet today Most adults use the internet as have literally changed the process well as other technology, and it is of socializing for children and an understatement to say that the adolescents. Instagram and internet has changed our lives in a Pinterest, according to my youthful multitude of ways. Nowhere has it resource sources, are the most changed life as dramatically as for current modes, but with the speed the American child, and especially of development today I'm sure this adolescents. It is estimated that as aspect of the column will be dated many as 90% of all American by the time you read it. adolescents and preteens engage in Video becomes part some form of daily internet use. of our landscape. The internet has literally changed Video games that began with the the experience of being an benign ping pong format of "Pong" adolescent in today's society. As one are now so graphic and realistic researcher put it, "The internet that the violence has become a brings the world — the good, the cause of concern for parents and bad, and the ugly — to the researchers. Has this exponentially American family's doorstep." very generation experiences technological advances that change the way the world is brought to it. My parents' generation listened to radio, my generation watched television which opened new images for us, as well as the parental concerns. I was also on the cusp of the video game explosion with the introduction of "Pong." But we never dreamed of the technology and modes of communication and information retrieval that is available for children and adolescents today. 8 Hudson Valley Parent S P September 2013 When did "friend" become a verb, and how is it if an adolescent has only a few hundred friends , he is considered unpopular? The internet, especially texting, has become the adolescents' medium of choice. Teens and preteens report that they spend more time on, and prefer the internet to, any other media source, including television, radio and the telephone. As this is a relatively new, as well as rapidly expanding phenomenon, little research has been done on the impact and wellbeing on adolescent growth and behavior as well as the risk factors. What can parents do? First and foremost educate yourself about the internet; today's adolescents know a lot more about the internet than we do! There are also many tracking programs available that will allow you to monitor sites your child or adolescent has visited. Additionally there are extremely sophisticated filters that can be applied to your child's or teen's computer preventing access to certain websites. The Internet is a powerful tool, with adequate parental supervision and monitoring, your child and adolescent will reap the benefits the internet has to offer and not experience or fall victim to any of the potential dangers. Paul Schwartz, Ph.D. is a professor of psychology and education at Mount Saint Mary College.