The Dangerous Side Of The Cyberworld
Startling facts were discussed on BlogTalkRadio, The Puddle People Hour where I am a Co-host along with Pam Sargant. We had the honor of having as our guest, the Former First Lady of Utah, and wife of Michael Leavitt, Former Govenor of Utah.
Jacalyn S. Leavitt, is the chair of the IKeepSafe Coalition where governors wives all over the states have joined her in bringing startling statistics to Parents of Youth and Teenagers using the Internet.
Here are some of the stats compiled by the Coalition:
99% of Teens use the Internet
54% of teens receive requests for personal information (12% of that figure is from “tweens” (8-12 years of age)
42% have posted personal information online
30% reported that they have talked with a cyber-stranger about meeting in person.
27% have talked to strangers on line about sex.
1 in 7 children (ages 10-17) receives a sexual solicitation or approach via the internet in a one year period.
77% of tens have a personal profile available online, 40% of which say it is viewable by all persons.
80% of students are aware of cases of cyber-bullying which is very destructive to teens.
94% of students admitting to cyber-bullying did not tell an adult.
Frigtening statistics to say the least. A new statistic just coming out, all the data is not available yet, is that MANY students in college are flunking out of school, due to becoming addicted to playing video games instead of studying, and being too tired in class.
The internet is a wonderful, yet powerful technology. It can offer so many opportunities to learn, to interact with others, to provide goods and services, and conduct business. But it has also destroyed youth who were unable to handle the pressure of kids playing jokes and bullying them to a point where one child in Vermont even committed suicide due to a rumor started about him. It’s one more thing that Parents MUST help their kids with…teaching responsibilty and monitoring their kids, just as they do when teaching about driving responsibly, or teaching them the golden rule of all things in moderation for a healthy balance in life. The computer, the video games, and all the new technology, can be a wonderful vehicle that this generation is the first to witness and be a part off. They must be reminded however, that it can be as dangerous as drugs, drinking and driving, and ruining their whole lives if video games and computer become more important than what they can learn from the technology, and about real life experiences in a positive way.
