TEENS TALK SCREENS

Troy Smith, 15

It seems like every teenager in the United States is constantly connected to the Internet, either through a phone or computer. In fact, 93 percent of teens ages 12 to 17 go online daily, according to recent surveys by the nonprofit Pew Research Center.

Recently, a group of teenagers came to the Y-Press office to discuss their Internet use and any safeguards they take to protect their privacy. It was clear that many of them are aware of the dangers present on the Internet and are careful about the information that they provide about themselves.

The most common reason for a teenager to be on the computer seems to be for social connections. Most of the communication between friends is through the Internet, they said, because it is quicker and easier than using the phone. “I like how you can tell someone, ‘Well, I can’t hang out with you this evening.’ You can send a little quick message instead of calling and them not be there,” said Laura Mangan, 15, of Greenwood.

But Internet communication has drawbacks. Sometimes it’s hard to know who you’re talking to, and it always is impersonal. “I mean, if you’re face-to-face with someone you know, you’re seeing their reactions,” said Jesse Smith, 16, Martinsville.

Because of that impersonal nature, gossip also is easier and spreads faster on the Internet, the teens said. “Sometimes you aren’t as truthful since you’re not actually seeing the person face-to-face, so you find it easier to lie or make things seem better or worse,” said Brad Ellis, 17, Carmel.

The teens also know that the Internet can be a dangerous place. They are well-aware of cyber-bullying and stalking but have had no personal experience with either. Still, they are careful about the information they post, never revealing personal information like addresses, phone numbers or Social Security numbers.

“I actually put somewhere that I don’t live just so if anyone’s trying to like stalk me or anything, they won’t be able to find me,” Laura said.

All of them generally avoid any contact with strangers, some of whom show up as friends of friends on Facebook. The exception was Troy Smith, 15, Martinsville, who said he’s been in touch with a girl he doesn’t know who requested him as a friend. “I’m sort of helping her through things,” he said.

Most of the teens take advantage of safety features offered on sites such as Facebook that limit who can view their information.

“I put my security thing so only people who are my friends can see what I have,” Laura said.

The teens also are aware that all kinds of information is available on the Internet. “I mean if you’re looking for dangerous stuff, you can find it,” Jesse said.

However, the biggest danger they see is neither the information that they may find nor that which they reveal about themselves.

The biggest problem with the Internet is that it can be all-consuming. The teens said keeping track of Facebook and e-mail sometimes takes over their lives. “You’re going to do your homework and you end up checking Facebook instead for several hours, and then you end up not getting your homework done,” Brad said.

Troy agreed. “It takes a lot of your time away and wastes a lot of it.”

Contributing to this story were assistant editors Julie Kippenbrock, 17, Becky Mangan, 14, and Allison Simmons, 13, and reporter Jade Poynter, 12.

Copyright 2010 Y-Press