Even celebrity culture may serve as an object lesson and inspiration. According to Convergence Culture, by Henry Jenkins, Media Studies Professor at MIT, teens’ “fandom,” their attachment to celebrities, musicians, and athletes, may motivate them to create and perform themselves.
Tory G. has a MySpace page for his band where he posts videos and blogs. The band performs at charity events around the country motivated by the message “diversity, understanding, respect, and multiculturalism.” The Graffiti application on Facebook allowed Samantha 0., nineteen, to create a computer graphic that she submitted as part of her college application and was accepted.
Jenkins is encouraged by these new skills. “Young people are learning how to play, perform, express themselves, and collaborate in large-scale communities. Yet, there is another skill often missing—judgment,” he said.
That’s where parents come in. Clara G. believes that the technology is here to stay and that she needs to be her children’s moral guide: “You have to embrace it, you have to be a part of it. You can’t bury your head in the sand and say no, this is not happening, because it is.” Helping your teen navigate the media wilderness is a parenting survival skill whose time has come. What Parents Can Do: Be Informed
What Parents Can Do: Be Informed
1. With your teen’s permission, check Instant Messaging Buddy Lists and review his/her personal profiles.
2. Be aware of Web sites that your teen visits regularly. Visit them yourself.
3. Use media blocks like the V chip and Internet parental controls to filter out inappropriate content.
4. Remove all electronic media from your teen’s bedroom.
5. Keep the computer, TV, and other media in a public space in your home.
6. Limit the total amount of time your teen spends using media tools each day.
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