Earlier in the semester we disucssed possibility of creating a new persona using a Facebook profile. By using particular quotes, pictures, and interests a person is able to present themselves in a way that may be different than what they really are. When I was reading Using Blogging to Enhance Literacy for my presentation, there was a section that addressed how teens like using their blogs becuase it gives them the freedom to create a new persona. The author Diane Penrod says that it gives them a chance to play "dress up" on the web. "They use it to gain recognition and develop a sense of solidarity with others. It also gives adults insight into the complexities of teenagers and college students" (Penrod 13-14). Though Penrod shines a positive light on the ability to use a blog as a new persona, she also addresses how many teens use the blog as an outlet to express pent up and dark emotions they may be hiding from others. She gives examples of suicidal teens who appeared to be "ok" in everyday life but ended up having blogs with cries for help or blogs with dark and angry posts. Also, teens who commited violent acts among their friends or family members were shown as having disturbing blogs of their own as well. Though it can be harmless to "play dress up" on a blog, do you think it is dangerous to have teens use their blogs as a cry for help or an outlet for expressing dark emotions? What does that say about our society today; where the only place teens feel comfortable venting their deep emotions is on the internet? Should we see these blogs as a positive aspect the freedom of blogging gives America's youth, or should this be seen as a danger?
Here is an article I found that addresses safety issues with teen blogging: http://www.isafe.org/imgs/pdf/education/Blogging.pdf
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Along similar lines as your post, I think that blogging may be a good way for people with anxiety to release their tension through online expression.
We all need an outlet for anxiety and anger, if it helps people to blog online, good for them! I can't tell you how many times I've had a twelve year old say something bad about my mother on x-box live. Those kids however, don't need the outlet so much as a good ass-whooping.
You asked, "What does that say about our society today; where the only place teens feel comfortable venting their deep emotions is on the internet?" To me, it says that teens haven't changed as much as feared, in their way of not talking to parents. I can see in a way that blogging is better than the going-out-of-style diaries with the little lock and key. Better, b/c teens' problems are reaching an audience who can respond to their posts, letting them know that they aren't the only ones feeling that way. It would be nice if the parents knew the blog address and could communicate with their teen, or at least stay current with their child's feelings, through the blog.
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