"Do We Have a Clue?"
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Added: Tue. Jun 23, 2009 12:00pm
Posted in:
Mental Health
"Do We Have a Clue?"
Do we really have a clue? Do parents realize that
at age 9-10 today many young girls are hitting puberty? Boys
at 10 know about sex? Are we as parents or grandparents aware of how technically
"aware" they may be at this age,but they are
still naive kids, right? What a dangerous combination this
can be.
Just because our children know how to upload a questionable
photo of a classmate (who puts it out there not knowing it's
there for life), why would they? Does a 6th grader view that
any differently than sending the latest gossip on their cell
phones to a classmate, much less the entire class? Is a 5th grader who
is expelled from school for an angry remark made on a
My Space really responsible for a a crime? Our kids are
so able to get their hands on such technology that can do
such harm or make others feel in danger. Can we hold these
children totally responsible?
Having been a guidance counselor for 15 years it is scary
to have witnessed how quickly one texted remark can cause a total disruption
of a grade level if not an entire school or neighborhood. Are we adults
really "awake" to that possiblity, if not probability? Are we supervising our child's online or cell communications where many times these problems
all start right in our homes? Are we willing to risk not being a friend to
our child or grandchild in order to protect them
and others? They will accuse us of invading their privacy
as we try to keep them safe from themselves. Can't we handle
that?
They may be far ahead of you in technological knowledge
...but they are still 11, 12, 13 ....with all those ages bring
with it! "Tweens" and teens they are all "doing it"...
texting, emailing and hosting their own social network
pages! I think as parents and grandparents we want to believe,
well our kids would never! Well folks...not only would they ever....
they most certainly already are! Do you want to take that chance,
really? It only takes them a minute to type or text....something
they may or may not realize is wrong...but changes
their lives forever!
Jodi H. Underhill MEd. LMHC
Licensed Mental Health Counselor &
Certified K-12 Guidance Counselor
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Jackie Carlin
GB Staff
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Posted 11:13am June 24th, 2009Thanks for terrifying me!
My daughter is only 16 mos old but I already live in fear of middle school! You're right -- I think it's so important to honest and showing courage yourself as a parent to talk about difficult and slightly cringe-worthy topics with our kids.
I'll hit you up in a few years though so you can actually teach me how to do it!