In the presentation about Growing Up Online by FRONTLINE, there were a number of issues raised by both the parents and the kids using the internet. Issues raised ranged from sexual predators to kids withdrawing from their families. One issue that really stood out to me was the double lives kids created for themselves. It may seem so strange that you have a different life on the internet, when really it's not that surprising. If you're in an environment where you feel everyone is against you and no one in your immediate vicinity doesn't understand you, it makes sense to use the internet to reach out to people who do understand you and have similar interests. It's basically a coping mechanism that allows people to feel relieved and not weird, and help them survive in their boring, unhappy physical reality.
My point is further backed by the case of Jessica Hunters who wasn't accepted as normal in her community and felt isolated as a result. She was tagged as "goth" and just didn't fit in. As a result, she took to the web with her unique sense of individuality and a the screen name "Autumn Edows" in a series of photo postings and became quite popular. She had friends, followers, and admirers alike--something she never had, or never would have, in her physical life. Her photo postings seemed to make her happy and feel good about herself, so it makes sense she has a separate identity. Who wants to be an outcast? Not that many people.
As a matter of fact, I too, acted like someone I wasn't online. When I used to have MySpace way back when, I talked to people I didn't know about things I knew nothing about. It seemed innocent, and I really didn't think much of what I was doing. It was fun "pimping" my profile (remember that website?) and talking about the things I liked. My parade came to an end when my parents found out and threatened to beat me if I didn't show them my account. Needless to say, I never went on MySpace again and my mother scolded me about the dangers associated with online "rapists, pedophiles, and murderers."
Now don't get me wrong, I don't necessarily believe it's okay to be untrue to yourself, quite the opposite actually, but when you live in unhappy circumstances, it really helps to preserve your sanity to survive another day until you can make a break for it.
You make a very interesting point by relating to these kids that rely on the internet to escape real life problems. I'm sure that if you were to have kids, you'd definitely do for them what your parents have done for you!
ReplyDelete