Global Kids' Online Leadership Program

Stuart D., Tocharaeh Wake, Teen Second Life:

Before I started playing games I was a heavy drug addict… games are my anti-drug…

Stephanie M., Bob Jones High, Madison, Alabama:

Addiction is usually referred to when speaking about drugs and alcohol, but surprisingly enough, many people are addicted to the internet and what it has to offer. Sadly, pornography has wrecked the lives of millions, and for many, the addiction was brought about through the internet. Crude pop ups, websites embedded with nude pictures, and easy access to any type of information make stumbling across it very possible. As a result, minds are polluted everyday, and people’s self worth and image of others drastically declines, leaving people empty. 

Aneka H., Brooklyn, New York:

The internet keeps us in touch with each other, but it also keeps perverts and pedophiles in touch with us.

Aneka H., Brooklyn, New York:

We’re literally addicted. Without [digital media], we will crumble like a cracker left in the hands of a child.

Sabienne B., Brooklyn, New York:

Why does digital media help some, while negatively impacting others?

Jake M., Louisville, Kentucky:

If every school across the United States focused more on teaching internet safety to its students, there would be a drastic decrease in the number of abductions of the youth of America.

Mike L., Belpre, Ohio:

The Internet (thanks to Al Gore), can be used to communicate with grandma and send her pictures of the soccer game after you research the Incas for homework. You could also be chatting to someone who wants to exploit you sexually. You can file you taxes online and do your shopping without leaving the house as long as nobody gets your information and steals your identity. You can surf the web for interesting sites and get addicted to pornography. 

Michael M., Louisville, Kentucky:

We should devote more of our time and talents to helping all the problems in the world like third-world hunger or terrorism, not, “How can I listen to music and look stylish at the same time?” It’s so stressful to try to keep up with all these distractions…

Michael M., Louisville, Kentucky:

Peace of mind is one of the valuable things you can’t find on the Internet.

Robert L. T., Belpre, Ohio:

I am mad at today’s technology companies because of the stuff they are always putting into this world.

Robert L. T., Belpre, Ohio:

Digital media is a blessing but mostly a curse. I think the government should ban the sites that have pornography and inappropriate language, and inappropriate content. I am ashamed how the world thinks that it is invisible. If we do what the companies want then they have already won.

Andrew D., Bob Jones High, Madison, Alabama:

Do violent games cause violent behavior? How accurate is the information I receive from online sources? How careful should I be in giving out information online and how important are new online friendships anyway? These questions should be asked by everyone and the answer may not always be the same…

Taylor B., Wheatland, Wyoming:

With all of the changing technology I wouldn’t be surprised if the government is taping into our phone lines and reading our text messages. I don’t agree with our government being able to tap into our personal life. I understand that there should be actions taken since September 11 to insure our safety. But I don’t feel safe talk. on my cell phone. People shouldn’t have to worry about someone listening in on their phone calls.

Stephanie M., Bob Jones High, Madison, Alabama:

Privacy is a big issue for me. I watch all sorts of thrillers where a killer finds a beautiful young girl in her prime by look. at her online journals. He stalks her, finds her, and kills her… It makes me wonder about who all has seen my Myspace. 

Stephanie M., Bob Jones High, Madison, Alabama:

My parents thought that if I could be on the internet and not get into trouble at the age of thirteen, then my sister should be able to be on it at the age of ten. We tried this scenario and my sister played around. After a month my family started getting random letters from random companies. My parents thought it was just junk mail that was getting sent out. Then my mom gets her credit report and finds out that my ten year-old sister had been buying things from e-bay and music sites. She spent about two thousand dollars on merchandise and she put my mom’s personal credit information online. It’s been almost three years since that incident and we’re still getting junk mail from websites that she visited.

Stephanie M., Bob Jones High, Madison, Alabama:

Even though I say I’m addicted to Myspace and AIM, I’m no where near as obsessed at my nine year-old brother is with internet games. The longest he was on the computer was eighteen hours and fifty-two minutes. The only way you could get him away from the computer was to tempt him with food. He is so enticed by internet games that he wet himself because he didn’t want to waste time going to the bathroom. I was shocked when I came home from school and asked why he was cleaning the computer chair with soap and water.

Saharazon W., Wheatland, Wyoming: 
Women have to be really careful about what they say on the internet because technically, we don’t really know if we are talk. to serial killers or not and so women shouldn’t give out all of their personal characteristics or information about themselves.

Alexandra G., Bob Jones High, Madison, Alabama:

The internet is becoming such a popular and powerful tool for the young adult that learning safety of the internet should be taught right after the lesson on stranger safety.

Kristen M., Madison, Alabama:

To paraphrase a recent ad I heard on the radio, the internet is a fun place to explore, but it can also be a dangerous jungle. 

Kristen M., Madison, Alabama:

When is it safe to share personal information online? I know that I probably don’t pay enough attention to this as I should.

Robert L. T., Belpre, Ohio:

There is a problem with digital media and it is today’s companies that think they can pollute the minds of little children without facing the consequences.

Tanner C., Madison, Alabama:

In conclusion, the internet and digital media in general provide many innovative and expedient means to sell, share, learn, play, create, socialize, interact, and change the world though the freedom and versatility of online communication. Many people use it for dishonest acts, but the good far outweighs the bad. Some information may be false or bias, but to limit that freedom in any way would be to repress the very individuality of human nature and the purest form of artistic _expression. The future looks bright on the internet and its users, and that is because they are continually look. towards it… continually work. towards a better unity for humankind, online or off.

Cassie T., Kokomo, Indiana:

I have seen both the pros and cons of digital media, and I still believe that the positives highly outweigh the negatives, but I do believe there is room for changes and improvement.

Stephanie M., Madison, Alabama:

Is digital media a friend or foe? I don’t know I’ll have to get back to you on that. 

Aneka H., Brooklyn, New York:

If the issue was in front of a judge, whether or not digital media was good or bad, then we would [still] be sitting in our wooden chairs because both sides would be talk. forever.