There has been much written about how misunderstandings can easily occur with online communication. Without the facial and physical cues to read, meanings of humor, sarcasm, and truth can be missed by anyone.
Take a student who has difficulty reading meaning with face-to-face interactions or with meanings implied in books, and put them in the sea of social networking...it is an area for great concern. If a student cannot grasp concepts in an age-appropriate book, I cannot imagine how they can navigate all the information easily accessed from opening a simple web browser, sent in a text message, or posted on FB.
As adults, we need to be mindful of how we expose children to this great world of information. There is much to be learned, but there is also a great vat of misinformation at the touch of our fingertips. It is no longer as simple as keeping the computer in the main room of the house to be aware of what children are doing.
Information is easily accessed from the latest and greatest devices that are readily in the hands of most students today. Unfortunately, cognitively whether having a learning disability or not, they do not understand all that is involved reaching out into the web. I know I have addressed with my students to beware of what they post; however, I still hear about pictures and words that they FB or text that come back to haunt them.
What can be difficult for many educators and parents is that the kids have a better understanding of technology than they do. Even if you don't understand it, you need to be aware of how your kids understand it. It is about being involved and having discussions. Just because they want the technology, does not mean they are ready to handle it on their own. Be involved with your students and children as they utilize it, don't let them infer their way through it on their own.
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