It’s important to remember that, just as teenagers need to have good boundaries and rules for offline behaviour, and the guidance and morals to make good decisions, they also need these things to protect them when online.
Cyberbullying: This is when people use technology to embarrass, harass or bully someone. Cyberbullying can include posting mean or untrue statements, making fake online profiles intended to embarrass people, sharing embarrassing photos, and more.
Trolling: This is when people deliberately try to start arguments or to upset people on the internet, often causing considerable distress.
Isolation: Too much time spent online and using technology is time not spent face-to-face with family and friends, which can create barriers and contribute to a sense of isolation.
Inappropriate material: Teenagers posting inappropriate pictures or content online, or sharing such material with friends, may humiliate themselves or others.
Inappropriate relationships: Strangers or others may try to form inappropriate relationships with young people.
Understanding teenagers and technology can seem a little overwhelming. It sometimes seems like teenagers’ lives revolve around their phones and technology. From the internet and social media, to phones, apps, games, television and other types of technology, technology is increasingly becoming an essential part of our lives. Many young people – often referred to as ‘digital natives’ – haven’t known it any other way.
Young people use the internet and social media to:
connect with, comment on and discuss things with others, through social networking, emailing and online messaging
find, create or share interesting photos, videos and articles
join or follow interest groups
play online games
learn more about topics that interest them
as a study tool for school.
Young people love going online, for very good reason. By using the internet, they can:
easily access information to inform and educate themselves
maintain and develop supportive relationships
form their identities (through self-expression, learning and talking)
promote a sense of belonging and self-esteem through staying connected with friends and being involved in diverse communities.
Research shows that the things that help young people have a positive experience online are:
having a good understanding of the internet and how online media work (including things like privacy settings)
having the skills to critically understand, analyse and create content that adds value for themselves and others.
If young people understand what it means to be a good ‘digital citizen’, you have every reason to trust them with managing their own internet use, just as you trust them to act responsibly when they’re at school and out with friends.