Kabboudi 1

Ameni Kabboudi Professor Joan Kalyan-Curtis UNIV 112 03/08/2011

Social Network websites and Children use: Monitoring?

When Hannibal asked help from Carthage with new soldiers, a lot of money sending a messenger to get there. He didnt realize that a click, will be efficient to get his instant message replied. His plans ended early when Carthage army did not answer him so he was defeated by Rome on his enemys land. However, the current Carthaginians and Romans nowadays have no problem with time and distance as they are connected to the social network. But the internet usage has gone wild among teens and children and a new technological war have started. A 2010 research from Pew internet Project, made by the Scholar A.Lehart estimates that 73% of teens aged between 12 and 17 have profiles on social network, and online aggravation have increased in the past years to hit on 1 in 3 teens have experienced online harassment (A. Lehart 1) . Although these social networks often have many benefits as it tightens the bond between friends and colleagues- from sharing news, pictures and chatting- the advantages are outweighed by its side effects. Because of social network websites are filled with tremendous dangers, more attention and new regulations should be set to children and teens access to these websites.

Kabboudi 2

Climbing a tree, rolling down a hill, making a daisy chain; riding a bike, playing soccer, and making a sandy castle on the beach are no longer the activities of modern children. From their school desk to their home/computer desk , playing out is not enjoyable anymore. Actually, they would rather stay indoor glued to a chair, peeled eyes to their computer screen and being connected to a social network. It is not surprising to notice that time spent outdoor has been diminished by half. No one can argue that we should limit children use because they are missing out on many real activities (sport, arts) crucial to their personality development. Most social networking sites are open to all. Kids are often found playing publicizing private instant messages, or joining hate-encouraging groups such as I Want To Punch Slow Walking People In The Back Of The Head with 1,281,507 members ( a popular face book group ). As a result, their behavior changes a lot, violence and rudeness might roll up. Moreover, children who are addicted to social network websites lack communication skills, self confidence, and interaction with other family member which are considered fundamental steps in building a child or teens personality. On top, School works are neglected Teachers believe pupils don't spend nearly enough time on their homework as they should. Also, teachers assert that these social websites are convicted of lowering students motivation to study Teachers also put the dip in the quality of children's' homework down to their willingness to spend their evenings on Face book and Twitter instead of studying(automatically). Thus, Students who are found on face book are threatened by lower grades and stumpy performance in their education children who spend much of their time online find it harder to concentrate in class, are permanently distracted and have shorter attention spans. Writes daily newspaper reporter. Another reason in favor of limiting childrens use of social network is the huge potential impacts on society in future. Teens and children are missing out not only on outdoor activity, school grades and behavior but also their whole childhood which will affect their adulthood.

Kabboudi 3

Childrens personality is built among their childhood and teen years so any disturbance happens will have prospect results on their personality and their behavior. That is why; we should raise awareness because that will generate more benefits, healthier generation and better civilization.

According to some doctors Face book is holding responsibility for making children more confused. This problem is more severe when children can be withdrawn and become more aloof. The pediatrician Dr Okeffe notes that Using Face book "is going to somehow infect t kids with depression".(qtd. In Lindsey Tanner). This will have huge impact on them when they grow up as it may result in an unbalanced society. As a consequence, we should take into consideration the long term effect of social networks hitches on children. Oppressed or abused persons might undergo Lingering feelings of anger and bitterness and even the desire for revenge. They might also have difficulties trusting people. In addition to the emotional effects in producing a weak and helpless generation, Children who spend hours online are likely to suffer from health problems like obesity. Face book is considered a major factor for fostering children obesity and other diseases. A recent statistic in America founds that the obesity rates in children aged 6 to 11 years goes up about three times in forty years from 6.5% in 1980 to 19.6% in 2008( Teen obesity statistic 2008) Many scholars are afraid of the new generation contributions to the future as they are facing self-trouble more than before. Researchers predict that the number psychological therapists and online addiction recovery stations are likely to grow. Let us go back to grades, educated people are needed too because an empty mind supplies nothing and a nation power is measured by its peoples awareness and instruction. Human resource is the vital to a countrys advancement or trailing behind. Ineffectual people are just a heavy burden to society. The upcoming generations are at the forefront of their nations change and modernism. Sensible, they can be the answer for growth. If, however, they are absent on society's edges, all of the country will be ruined. It is

Kabboudi 4

important to guarantee that all young people have occasion to participate in the lives of their societies. A better society requires positive people who are well- raised and optimistic to make a brighter future without many social problems.

Argument by authority: The Childrens Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) set regulations a minimum age- to prevent under age children from login into social network .

Everything in life has policies and regulations in order to prevent chaos from happening. That is why joining certain social network website might be a bit severe in their rules. COPPA reports that it hard is to put into practice age constraints on the Internet and that there is no single resolution to ensuring teens and children dont dodge a system or lie about their age when they sign in since there is no proof of the age put on Face book. Jeff Fox a technology editor at Consumer Reports told FoxNews.com adds that a million kids were bullied on Face book in the last year. A 10-year-old is not well-equipped to deal with those things.

That is why The COPPA still believes in setting certain regulations in order to prevent inevitable troubles in future. Online Safety is one of its responsibilities and since they control these new innovations. They are accountable for making new rules in social network websites aiming of keeping young people of all ages safe online and not under duress.

1. Argument by comparing / Analogy: Joining Face book is like joining The Mafia. Leaving it doesnt mean it is over. It goes without saying that Face books Web site does not inform leaving users that they must erase information from their account to facilitate canceling it fully which can bring about leaving anything from pictures to personal messages. That is why young people should be

Kabboudi 5

limited in using these social networks. Teens and children can be a target with internet hackers and they might violate their personal information as they left open and accessible to many professional users. If truth be told, children and teen expose a lot about their private lives such as uploading videos and pictures that is why they are easier to attack. The social network websites privacy policy is not designed to assist users in understanding how they collect and use the personal information that a teen provide in making informed decisions when using any social network web site Deanna lee states that Clearly, there's a social networking etiquette still being worked out, especially now that, as the home page says, "anyone can join" (not just college students). 2. Argument by definition : the social network are supposed to unite friends and make them closer in reality however instead now it becomes a new different world, it isolates them and make them live in a virtual world. Social websites were created to unite people, keep in touch with each others, share photos and chat. According to David Hutchison Yet, after school, millions of children and teens spend inordinate amounts of time immersed in virtual worlds that invite exploration and reward. Many children are become addict to these social network which can be the occasion of isolating of many children. They would rather spend their time with their online friends and online activities than going out or communicating with their families. Unfortunately a survey made by Harvard journal in 2008 declares that 43% young internet users Interact with strangers online. Usually these youngsters turn to online world as a refuge from the current world. By being immersed in a virtual word, the young internet users wont be able to handle bullying and interaction in the play ground. Social network websites are a new world often considered the favorite for youngsters as it allows them to express themselves without being watched over. Indeed, they can literally even take children to other worlds and different realms of reality. Users are allowed to move and react in a created reality more than a real

Kabboudi 6

world. That is why usually shy people find the good opportunity to live their lives hidden behind this unreal world. So it is not strange that we hear about the online dating that becomes very popular among teens. Only 14% have met in person with someone they encountered on the internet. Online dating has become the revolutionary way of finding a lover since it is much easier, offers more choices and is growing each and every day. Hence romantic relationships have been increased. However, long distance relationships are usually not real in depth and provoke more harm if the teen is disappointed by covering the truth. 3. Argument by value: we should set limits for connecting to social network websites because they are usually harmful for the innocence of children as they foster sexual harassments and pedophiles intentions. In addition to that the problem takes crucial steps when some vulnerable kids commit suicide because of the unbearable abuses they face either in person or on face book.

On the other hand, many estimated that social network websites might ignite the exposure of children to bigger things that they should not be exposed to at that early age or should be handled differently. According to a study made by Harvard journal states that Researchers think that chat rooms are risky not only because these venues enable participants to communicate directly and privately, but also because some sites encourage the use of obscene language, sexual talk, and sexual innuendo. Conclusion

Social network websites are created for people to serve them. Nobody can deny the usefulness of these websites that have been used even by important scholars and in presidential elections.

Kabboudi 7

It goes without saying that this innovation is a double edged sword. It can be a blessing and a curse at the same time. It is all up to us to use it sensibly. The new generations are more submerged into technology and now you cannot just tell them do not touch ! curiosity and exploration is what distinguish them from previous generations. Besides everything is available now. So to make preventive steps in order to limit childrens use of the social network and all its unavoidable results. Everybody can be hold accountable for making these social network a better place. Governments are urged to make policies and rules and even ban some perverted websites. They also should sensitize parents and children of the wise use of these new websites. Also, parents should monitor their children access to the internet and they should even pay more attention to what their kids do like putting the laptop in public area in the house, record their entire child's Face book Activity with using special software. This does not mean that they should spy on every childs move but they should take into consideration some care about their childrens safety using the internet. However, controlling parents can lead to worse results if they are over protective as Hannibal ended. Children are vulnerable and parents should learn how to deal with these fragile issues. Alike Hannibal, He did not die when he lost the war with Rome. He just committed suicide by ingesting poison. He was afraid of being extradited to Rome. Children could do the samesuffer from abuse and parental control till they get fed up and decide to leave this world.

Kabboudi 8

My comments : I am not sure about the conclusion. I havent found an idea to talk about something specific in it. + the Hannibal storyI think it is poorly included. The introduction as well, it seems too long and not sure about it :

The body : I am not sure about the first two line of arguments : they seem similar. The last two as well , the value & definition as well are so confusing :s

Another question : after citing the quotation, what should I add ? do I need to copy the same link of the work cited below ?

Kabboudi 9

Works cited
Daily Mail Reporter. "Teachers Blame Facebook and Twitter for Low Grades and Poor Concentration | Mail Online." Mail Online. 18 Nov. 2011. Web. 03 Aug. 2011. <http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1330868/Teachers-blame-Facebook-Twitter-low-gradespoor-concentration.html>. "Facebooks Zuckerberg Wants Kids Under 13 To Use Site." RedOrbit. 24 May 2011. Web. 03 Aug. 2011. <http://www.redorbit.com/news/technology/2052667/facebooks_zuckerberg_wants_kids_under_1 3_to_use_site/index.html>.

HUTCHISON, DAVID. "Video Games and the Pedagogy of Place." Heldref Publications: 35. Jan.-Feb. 2007. Web. 03 Aug. 2011. <http://web.ebscohost.com.proxy.library.vcu.edu/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?sid=c3042d06-e83b431f-9743-2a4d96df4935%40sessionmgr112&vid=1&hid=122>.

Lsted, Marcia Amidon. "Social Networking and Society." Social Networking: Myspace, Facebook, & Twitter. Web. <http://books.google.com/books?id=Iq9KqQ2mwDQC&pg=PA104&dq=Online+social+networking+/+ Sylvia+Engdahl&hl=fr&ei=LHU6TsX2IYbIsgaB95DlDw&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=5&v ed=0CDwQ6AEwBA#v=onepage&q=Online%20social%20networking%20%2F%20Sylvia%20Engdahl&f =false>. "Protecting Children and Teens from Cyber Harm." Harvard Mental Health Letter (2008): 5.

Kabboudi 10 July 2008. Web. 04 Aug. 2011. <http://web.ebscohost.com.proxy.library.vcu.edu/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?vid=6&hid=122&sid= 04f8d818-8001-415b-be04-33811aa91533%40sessionmgr113>. Tanner, Lindsey. "Doctors Warn about Facebook Use and Teen Depression." Sydney Morning Herald - Business & World News Australia | Smh.com.au. 29 Mar. 2011. Web. 26 July 2011. <http://www.smh.com.au/technology/technology-news/doctors-warn-about-facebook-use-andteen-depression-20110328-1cd7v.html>.