Dangerous World Beyond

Dangerous World Beyond

The Digital Age has brought us new technology that is mind blowing. Our generation is privileged enough to be growing up with all this technology. The most resourceful, entertaining, and inspiring piece of technology that came out of this age is the Internet. The MERRIAM-WEBSTER dictionary defines the Internet as "an electronic communications network that connects computer networks and organizational computer facilities around the world"(merriam-webster dictionary). In today's society the Internet can be used for almost anything. From sending important business e-mails to researching information for a school report, the Internet can be a very resourceful tool. Most teenagers would be lost without the internet because besides their cellphones, the internet is their great escape to another world. Teens use the internet to instant message their friends, listen to music, send private e-mails, check their Facebook or Myspace, and do their homework. Unfortunately, teenagers become so caught up with this wonderful tool that they abuse it and use the internet more for pleasure, while failing to realize the dangers of the World Wide Web, including online predators and addiction.

Teenagers love to socialize, so the internet gives them the perfect opportunity to socialize outside of school as well. Besides cell phones, teens love to socialize through the internet through email and instant messaging. Teenagers also love to log on to their favorite social networking sites such as Facebook, and comment on their friend's wall posts or pictures. With all these fun activities on the internet, of course a person would get distracted and forget that they have other responsibilities they have to take care of. Statistics show that "teens are logging on at even higher rates--87 percent of those ages 12 to 17"(Hourany). According to the Nielsen Report , about 67% of teens say they update their page at least once a week and look to their social networks and instant messaging to gossip and photo swap"(Nielsen). If they are busy doing all that then they obviously do not care about stalkers and predators. They stay in their own little online social bubble and believe that no one can harm them.

The world is not a perfect place. There are people out there that want to protect you and others that just want to hurt you. As the usage of internet grows, so do the numbers of online predators. Most teenagers love to socialize and make new friends. They enter public chat rooms and talk to complete strangers or they accept friend requests from strangers without even realizing what they are doing. They simply want to satisfy their social needs without realizing that they are putting themselves in harm's way.

Even though teenagers see their friends at school they want to discuss their day with their other friends that do not go to their school or people they do not see on a regular basis. In excitement they drop down everything and go to their computers and chat on their instant messengers. Teenagers discuss their lives with their online buddies and about "65% of all teens say that teens do things online that they would not want their parents to know about"(Cyber Angels). Teens become so invested into the conversation that they lose site of the outside world. Experts say that online predators hunt down victims in online chat rooms and through social networks. The online predators stalk their victims and "40% of online sexual solicitations of youth begin with an Instant Message."(Cyber Angels) Teenagers became transfixed in their online social life and become addicted.

Teenagers who become addicted to the internet may never see another life besides the one on the screen. Teenagers excessively use the internet and "jeopardize employment and relationships"(Net Addiction). The teenager will only want to be in front of that screen typing their life away. Teenagers become so addicted that they will not realize and begin to trust strangers in chat rooms or social networking sites. They suspect but they do not want to tell their parents because they fear they will get in to trouble. This severs ties with loved ones because instead of chatting and spending time with their loved ones, teenagers feel it is necessary to surf the internet or chat with their online buddies. As the internet evolves and becomes increasingly accessible to everyone, teenagers start to grow a dependancy on it. This dependancy affects the teens mental state and soon they will begin to lure in online predators and unfortunately become victims.

Online stalkers are very clever and love to manipulate children. They become knowledgeable of the current trends to interest kids. Predators manipulate