A problem for concern.

In this media world, there are often dangers that we can encounter on a daily basis. I have most recently had to turn my laptop into the IT department on campus and hope they could fix whatever it was that was wrong with my hardware and it turned out it was a virus from my email. So we know there are dangers out there.

What we dont know, is what do the Digital immigrants think of all of this?

I sat down with Lynn Reynolds, a mother of 2 teeneage children, to ask her views.

#1: Lynn, what would you say would be your biggest fear/worry when it comes to Digital Media?

I know that the media has been incredibly influential to my children. Both of my kids have Facebook and other sites of that nature. I often come home to find Hamp (her son) on the desktop computer watching videos. My biggest fear is that these things are a big distraction to our new generation. But as a whole, i think its great progress. 

#2: How do you filter what your children see or watch? Is there any program in place?

Unfortunately no. The best i do is that i can tell them when its time to get off because they have been on too long. My son plays video games online for hours, but once dinner is ready i ask him to turn it off for the evening. I think it works so far but i am not aware of what consequences it has on him in the classroom or with his socila etiquette for example.


#3: What part of the media is your biggest concern?

I think the Internet is a great tool. Its just too free i think. There is not enough filtering and advertisemnts are far too accesible. Im just glad it has not clearly affected my children in a way that they are "zombies".

#4: What part of the media do you understand the most?

I know how to work a TV, Computer, Radio etc. however i have no idea what an Ipad is or how to use it. Hamp showed me this game he was playing once, my husband understood it but i had no idea what was going on. Also, we have added Netflix to our Blu-ray player, its such a great tool, but again security is absent and if my children were young enough, they would end up being easily able to watch R rated movies.

So after reviewing my talk with Lynn, i can decipher that there is worries with the Media and its affect. The most influential people in our childrens lives are incapable of monitoring the consumerism of that child. ITs incredible how this is allowed when you put it into hindsight. The riots in Egypt recently remind us that Digital media is a privelage that although in this country seems to be unlimited access, is a tool that can be withdrawn and without it, revolt.

There is a website dedicated to parents who have concern for thier children with the internet. It is an extremely interesting look at what questions we need to ask ourselves.

To summarise, I think the media world is so fast. Its too fast. And only the next generation can pick up where we left off, leaving us to struggle and try keep up. Children need to be monitored otherwise more problems will become a reality.

An intersesting video form the University of Michigan.