Two typical kids, four years apart in age. What kind of role does social technology play in their lives? How do they stay safe online? bNetS@vvy editor Mary Esselman interviews her nephew age 15, and bNetS@vvy Teacher’s Desk contributor Paula White interviews her grandson, age 11.
Interview One: Michael E., 15 years old
Q: Tell me about the social technology you use — games, Facebook or other social networking sites, texting, other phone use, etc. A typical day involves what kind of online/mobile activity?
A: I use currently, and have used in the past, many social networking sites. Facebook is the best online social networking site in my opinion. Facebook allows you to look at pictures of your friends and write messages and comments to them. In one week, I will typically use Facebook at least two times.
I text my friends from my cell phone all the time, and I call people from my cell phone all of the time too. I use my phone more than any other technology. I wake up and will check my phone to see if I missed any alerts while I was sleeping. I am texting my friends almost every part of the day besides occasionally at school, and whenever I have sports. Texting passes the time better than any other thing. It is the most useful of the social networking devices in my opinion because you can use it anywhere.
I play games on my Xbox 360, my phone, and on the Internet. I frequently play on the Internet at school and not normally at home. I play on my phone sometimes when I am in a car or trying to pass the time.
On a typical day I will check my phone before I go to school and start texting a few of my close friends. When I get to school I will continue to text them. During my computer class I will get on the Internet and play video games on different websites. On days that I do get on Facebook, I will get on at night. After school I will continue to text my friends and call some of them too.
Q: Try to assess your use of social technology. Do you think it’s excessive? Do you think your behavior online is safe/risky?
A: I think that my use of these things is not excessive. Some of my friends do use their phones and the Internet excessively though. Some people spend their whole day online or using their phone. I use the Internet and my phone very safely. I only talk to people that I know.
Q: How do adults factor into your use of social technology? Do you feel you get Internet safety guidance at home and/or at school?
A: There are some parents that are clueless about Facebook and technology, like my mom. There are other parents, like my dad, who get into it and have technologies they use that are the same. My dad uses more social networking sites than I do, which is very weird might I add. Since he is very up to date with technology he keeps the technology I use safe and is a factor of what happens with me and my friends. He is my friend on Facebook and can see if anything strange or unusual is happening with my profile. Even though he is up to date with everything, I am very responsible and set my own guidelines for what I do with the technology I use. Most kids set their own rules because you can control most technologies to be very private if you don’t want people to see them.
Q: With summer coming will you have more time to indulge in social technology, and do you think it will be a problem or not?
A: This summer I do not think that I will use my phone anymore than I do now. I might play more games since I will have more time, but that is it.
Q: Any advice for parents and teachers/administrators in terms of how they might best guide kids towards safe online activity and behavior?
A: The only advice I have to parents and others is to make sure that kids aren’t starting any trouble using their technologies. Some kids start fights over Facebook, AIM (instant messaging), or texting. Make sure you know what they are doing and everything will be fine.
Interview Two, “John,” age 11
Q: Tell me what you know about social technology - for how long have you been “into” tech?
A: I don’t really know how to explain about tech I’ve been using it since I was like five.
Q: Your earliest tech memories?
A: My first iPod: I put videos on it. I remember it was white and it was a 30 gigabyte and I did not fill it up. I have more music, so I’ve already filled my 30 gig up.
Q: Who knows more about tech than you do?
A: I think I’m the smartest about technology in my group of friends. Probably grandma knows more than any one else in my life.
Q: How do you use tech to stay connected to your friends?
A: I play online game or I’ll email them or text them or call them.
Q: What’s the difference between a f2f [face to face] friend and an online friend?
A: F2F you can see them every day and talk to them about anything you want. Online, you can talk about the game and how it’s going.
Q: You play online games with Hunter, your f2f friend. How do you get along online?
A: We just joke around-no name calling we do is serious. I can tell if he’s, like, meaning it. You can hear voices kinda clear.
Q: Do you ever meet strangers online?
A: I don’t tell my names or address or phone number or anything else, cause they could be like, bad, or come to my house or something.
Q: Whose online safety rules do you follow?
A: My Mom’s.
Q: When the last time you talked to her about your online behavior?
A: Two nights ago-I told her I had a new friend online and she said don’t tell them your name, address, phone number or anything, and I said I know. On Zocom [an online game], it tells who is online, it warns you they’re online, and you can send friend requests. I sent him a friend request.
Q: Do you think your other friends’ moms talk to them about staying safe online?
A: I don’t know.
Q: Does your mom ever look at your cell phone?
A: Yes, once or twice a month. Mom and Dad check out my history-they trust me, but I guess just to make sure.
Q: Does your mom know your username and password?
A: Mom sets up accounts with me. I have to have her permission to set up one. She asks for my usernames and passwords
Q: What about Facebook - are you on that?
A: Mom won’t let me have Facebook.
Q: Over the summer, will your online use change?
A: Just more of it. Just connecting with friends, lots of different people.
Q: Do you text anyone you haven’t met?
A: I usually delete texts from people I don’t know.
Q: What tech games do you like to play?
A: Call of Duty, World at War, Call of Duty 3, Club Penguin.
Q: Tell me about wikispaces and how you use them.
A: With wikis you can talk to people and set up game sites. We used them at school. They were put up by educational sites like funbrain. We learned more about technology using wikispaces, and it helped us learn how to do stuff online. I’d rather set up a wiki on a book than do a book report. Because book reports you have to write by hand, and it’s faster on wikispaces.
Q: What online safety rules do you think kids should follow?
A: Don’t give your name address or phone number online. Get your parents’ permission before setting any online identity on things like Facebook and MySpace. No cussing online. You can take pictures [with your phone] but not what they call inappropriate ones. No texting at school
Editor’s Note: bNetS@vvy does not endorse any specific social technology products. The social technology sites and devices mentioned in this piece reflect the opinions and habits of the contributors only, not of bNetS@vvy or its sponsor.
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