[This article was originally published March 18, 2012, then my service’s server crashed, losing months of data. So reposting 10/8/12.] In addition to the panel mentioned in my previous post about Hope North and the one I participated in, "Reaching Teens on the Digital Streets," here – in two parts – are some takeaways from two areas I focused on at South by Southwest (SxSW) last week: featured … [Read more...] about Takeaways from SxSW, Part 1: The Brazilian Dream
social media research
Individual & social ’embodiment’ online: Key eating-disorders study
"Eating disorders affect between 1 and 4 percent of young adult women" and are on the increase, diagnoses having "risen more than 50% since the 1970s," according to the authors of "Pro-anorexia Communities and Online Interaction: Bringing the Pro-ana Body Online." But, before this important study, rare coverage in the news media did little besides increase speculation that these communities are … [Read more...] about Individual & social ’embodiment’ online: Key eating-disorders study
Don’t hype sexting risks to teens
To have credibility with teens, here's what education against sexting needs to factor in (and this can be applied to all Internet safety ed): "Citing risks that students experience as unusual (or even rare) may greatly diminish the impact of any information," wrote psychology professor Elizabeth Englander. "For example, many adults teach kids that once you send a picture digitally, you lose … [Read more...] about Don’t hype sexting risks to teens
Kids & teens not only ok, but smart!: Study
Now for the good news in the youth part of a report from Ottawa-based MediaSmarts's report "Talking to Youth and Parents about Life Online" (yesterday I highlighted the parents piece). Well, mostly good news. It sounds as if "Internet safety education" has made the youngest among the 11-to-17-year-olds MediaSmarts talked with pretty paranoid: "From [11- and 12-year-olds'] perspective, the Internet … [Read more...] about Kids & teens not only ok, but smart!: Study
WHAT has ‘online safety’ wrought (with parents)?!
Thankfully, the youth part of "Talking to Youth and Parents about Life Online" had a whole lot of good news in it, because my heart sank when I read this first paragraph on parents' views of online kids in this study from Canada's premier digital and media literacy organization: "The parents we spoke with were beleaguered by fear of danger and exhausted from the burden of constant vigilance. … [Read more...] about WHAT has ‘online safety’ wrought (with parents)?!