Growing up online

Didn't surprise me:
We become "dumb" because we are accustomed to technology that does everything for us.
Most of our time is consumed by being online.
Many percentage of the teens use online the wrong way.
We mostly use internet for social things.
Facebook and Myspace are the websites most used.
We are addicted to internet and online websites and apps. 
Cyber bullying is caused by anonymous texts.
Because of online bad actions, real personal and physical fights can arise.
Because online stuff is not private, kids are now more comfortable with themselves than the old days.
Because of social stuff, people change just to fit in.
You can fake your real being.
Small towns have more chance to do bad stuff online because you may know everyone in town.
You post stuff that you would like people to see of you, maybe not the real you. 
There's online relationships.
Most teenagers problems are cause by themselves.
The most affected kids are the ones with low self-esteem. 
The more you post the more exposed.
Parents can't control the online use of their sons and daughters.
Suicide in teens happen because of online and social webs.
You never know who to trust.

Did surprise me:
How people first love bad internet stuff, but when it gets serious (school gets in it) then they just turn around.
Bullying may start with every single picture or word you post.
Stalkers are worse than meeting the real person. 
Why would kids avoid parents when some are not doing something wrong.
1/7 kids have been sexually online.
Online makes people change and sometimes feel worse about them.
Most teens use cameras and online stuff as a counselor and a way to express themselves.
Teens think putting things online and thinking people will accept them will make them popular, and it's the opposite. 
Because of family getting involved kids may lose friends. 
Parents always take everything personally when they also had secrets and stuff they didn't want to show to their parents. 
Small words affect life.
You don't know who you're really talking to.
Suicide becomes like an addiction.
Cyber-bullying causes suicide.
Internet greatly affects how people think about themselves.

Things changed:
Bullying now is much offensive than in those days.
Here in Colombia internet is not such severe.
Nowadays people, themselves, do stuff bad for themselves.
They now don't hurt people because it's fun, but because there's a reason to do so.
Now, online webs and social networks is not that controlled. 
Online can be fun but it can also ruin your life, when in that days, it will just ruin your life. 
 Now the way of kids to escape from bullying is moving out of the city they live on and start new.
Now, bullying is not by words, it's by actions. 
Parents don't control you as much.
Nowadays their kids tell most of their lives to parents. 
There's more possibility for sexual relationships online.
More predators, stalkers.
You can now find the stalker easier because there's a way to find out who is doing what. 
We now use technology more for study use than social events.
We are now more conscious about technology.
There's now hot spot as WiFi.
There's more access of technology everywhere you go.
Technology is now available for everyone because in some places it's free.
Now schools use technology for everything instead of avoiding it. 


Paragraphs:
I identify the most with the topic that teens use internet to research things they want to do. Like the story of the girl wanting to be thin. I have heard most of my friends telling me look at this page, it's the new diet, when there's not a doctor actually giving you the diet needed. Internet is a good research but it's not a trustful one. By doing what is in "trend" teens do most things wrong. When you read something in the internet you don't know if it's true or not, you just do it. Us, teens, take everything seriously when we read something in the internet, just like the girl wanting to be thin. Many teens research tips to fit in, when they are probably doing the right thing. I just use internet for study use, and Facebook but not in a bad way, just to talk to the friends I do know. 

The most unlike topic was the kid that committed suicide. I've never been through bullying or cyber-bullying. I've never been told bad stuff through online conversations. Here in Colombia that's not very often, the most often one is "pornographic" images teens take about themselves and send it to everyone. I've never been in a difficult situation because of online websites. I've heard many stories about cyber-bullying in the school, just like the one of the little boy. It usually occured most often when we were younger. Adolescence is probably the most difficult time for kids, because changes and differences occur, and because of such, bullying starts. In teens, change and different is bad, when in reality it's great. 

My advice for parents on having their kids online, is to talk to their kids about it. Talk to them about the pros and the cons of internet. Teach them and show them real life examples so they know what they're exposed to. I don't think they should have their password because doing mistakes is how you learn. Being a good guidance is the best advice for a parent who's child is online. Being a friend on Facebook is helpful because you can see what your child post and give advice about it. Parents should not be investigating their child's life because that would be very annoying, but being their best friend/ counselour is the best support your kid could have. Having a good relationship with your kid is the best thing you could do as a parent.