Internet Friends

[StickyStevie]

Well today we get informed in school that on Monday some of us have a big exam. 6 out of our class were picked and me being one of them I need to do some research. So here goes...

What are your views on children (your own included) making friends on the internet through sites such as bebo, MSN etc rather than going out and socialising on the street or in youth clubs etc?

Thanks!

[Vomitore]

Well today we get informed in school that on Monday some of us have a big exam. 6 out of our class were picked and me being one of them I need to do some research. So here goes...

What are your views on children (your own included) making friends on the internet through sites such as bebo, MSN etc rather than going out and socialising on the street or in youth clubs etc?

Thanks!

I don't have kids but here's my view. To a small and monitored degree its ok, but in America we're all gonna become agoraphobics in no time! I've met a few people on the net that I've become friends with, but you need to verbally socialize and get out and walk and be active.

[Freakie_frog]

Well today we get informed in school that on Monday some of us have a big exam. 6 out of our class were picked and me being one of them I need to do some research. So here goes...

What are your views on children (your own included) making friends on the internet through sites such as bebo, MSN etc rather than going out and socialising on the street or in youth clubs etc?

Thanks!

As long as children are in school they will be required to socialize to some degree. I feel that totally replacing real friends with internet friends will have (if aloud to happen) devastating effects on that child. Their are things we learn while interacting one on one with humans. These include body language, eye contact, confident body posture exc. These things project to the other person our state of mind, intentions and mood during an encouter. I have many friends that I have never meet before on here, but as a 26 year old man I have developed the skills it takes to communicate effectively in a one on one encounter with another person and can balance the two. If children are aloud to only socialize with people over the net then I fear the art of conversation will be lost in two generations. Well no harm no foul right? Think of all the things that require one on one communication. Dating, job interview, being assertive in a stressful situation to avoid being taken advantage of. Pime example my little brother was an intravirted (sp) kid. Chat rooms were the only place he really tried to connect with people. Now by the time he was 14 he was afraid to go anywhere or do anything with out my mom or dad being there. When we would go to restaurant's he wouldn't even order for himself he would tell mom and dad and they would have to order for him. Now he grew out of this after the computer was taken away but never the less aloud to go unchecked it could have gotten out of hand. Long story short. We are a group ordinated animal and as such have built our society around that notion. Children who lack the skills to communicate effectively with others will be at a disadvantage.

[recycling goddess]

i think a balance is wonderful. although the only friends my teen is allowed to make is in a particular game room and only a few select people. his best friend IRL is there with him... and they do lots of "not computer" things together.

[StickyStevie]

... and they do lots of "not computer" things together.

What sort of non-computer things if you dont mind me asking?

[Snakeman]

i have many friends here and there that don't live near me that i talk to online. me in a way still being a "child" i seem to get along better with people online than i do with people in person (dont know why) but i still have plenty of friends in person.i guess in person you have to worry about making a good impression to people while online all you do is type and no one can see what you're doing.i have friends online because i like to see how people are in other places rather than just the city i live in. when i have my kids, i'll let them socialize with people online as long as i know the people they talk can be trusted.


lol stickystevie, you used a quote from me as your sig? lol thats cool...i dont mind.

[PythonWallace]

Kids need to get out and socialize! There was a study a few years ago that showed that people who use the internet (expecially to socialize) for a certain amount of time per week had a way higher depression rate than people who don't use the internet as much. Kids need to be active and socialize in reality for both their physical and emotional health. Then you add all the weirdos, pedophiles and perverts who lurk around the internet, and there is no way. The only way I would allow it was if my (hypothetical) kid was playing an online game where it was common place to chat. But even then I would be over his/her shoulder constantly. That's my opinion.

[recycling goddess]

What sort of non-computer things if you dont mind me asking?

trampoline, skateboarding, bike riding/tricks, tossing around a football-baseball-frisbee-his sisters hat-teddybear-doll-shoe, swimming, going to the beach or the lake, cliff diving, playing the guitar, hanging out in our clubhouse/playhouse to name a few things. he's a boy... a teenage boy... just think of what he could be doing and multiply it by 3 LOL

[StickyStevie]

lol stickystevie, you used a quote from me as your sig? lol thats cool...i dont mind.

Yep, sure do! Glad you approve... its a good phrase, and you said it first on here so I added your name in

Good response too btw, been putting peoples into a word document and going to use as peoples personal views on the issue.

[StickyStevie]

just think of what he could be doing and multiply it by 3 LOL

LOL... thanks aleesha! Going to nail this speech now