Are Social Networking Web Sites Appropriate for Teenagers - Essay Example

It is appropriate for teenagers if they use it wisely, and should not be restricted.
Social networking websites are appropriate for teenagers
One of the major concerns relating to social networking websites is that teenagers without realizing it is a public domain, post personal information. Parents especially are concerned about teenagers posting personal information such as sexual behaviors, religious orientation, violent information and substance abuse for the public to read. They become prey to pedophiles and other adults who can direct them towards negative social behaviors and lifestyles. However, according to Dr. Moreno, an assistant professor of pediatrics at the University of Wisconsin-Madison (Gordon), such information can be used by parents and others who are concerned about teenagers to communicate with them. They can email teenagers to inform and guide them on how to remedy risky behaviors and substance abuse.

Another major concern regarding teenage access to social networking websites is its impact on teenagers in the future. Around 90 percent of teenagers in the United States have access to the Internet (Gordon) among which 55 percent have used social networks with online profiles. The majority of the profiles belong to older teenage girls registered with sites like MySpace and Facebook (Madden). Since these teenagers use the websites to connect with friends, make new friends and flirt around, they generally maintain a casual attitude towards their personal information. Parents are concerned about the impact such information lying in the public domain have on their future careers and life. But such concerns are also baseless because Madden's survey indicates that teenagers today are wiser than before. They have restricted access to their profiles and only let those with who they are acquainted view them.
Conclusions
These aspects lead the author to conclude that social networking websites are not such a threat to teenagers as adults believe them to be. With a wise approach and understanding towards teenage behaviors and intelligence, adults can guide them to be even better online users. In fact, as Dr. Moreno explains, these sites can be used to communicate with teenagers to deflect them from negative social lifestyles and behaviors. Instead, of "balking" at talking to teenagers regarding social networking websites, adults should be more open about their access and perhaps even learn to use them to better understand why teenagers are more interested in such websites. This is necessary for modern-day and age of technological development.