Warning: The Following Material is for Mature Adults Only

The fact that the title of this blog post is a warning will most likely have little affect on who reads it.  In the recent past, one would walk into a Blockbuster and find categories of movies, each with their own rating such as PG, 18A etc.  There was always that section at the back with the large sign stating, usually in big, bold, red letters, "Adults Only".  I remember seeing people walk out of that section carrying a small black bag and I would always wonder what was inside.  Of course, I knew as a child that because there was a sign saying "Adults Only", and I was not an adult, that I was not to go beyond that saloon style door or there would be consequences.  In this case, a sign, a separate blocked off section, survellaince monitors and roaming employees are all in the way of curious little ones trying to sneak a peak of what could be in those tiny, black bags.  Now, in 2014, those same children no longer have to be curious.  Through a simple Google search they can access a wealth of videos, information, pictures and websites about subjects that are beyond their understanding.  There are warnings for most explicit materials; however, as the cliche goes curiosity kills the cat.  Warnings do not prevent access.  Human nature can be one's worst enemy.

So what does this mean for teachers?  Should they play a role in teaching their students about the dangers of an online identity?  I believe that cyber education needs to begin in the elementary grades because, as we all know, once something is online, it is there to stay.  If children are not educated about their online identities early enough, they may already have put themselves at risk of being targets of online prowlers or of cyber bullies.  Simple day to day lessons on how to be a good online citizen and showing students how to use the internet in positive manners will help them to build a strong, online identity.  It is especially important for students to understand all of the risks because of the lack of censorship.  Adults can not control curiosity in their children; however, they can foster positive habits so that curiosity does not put their children at risk.

In regards to the documentaries Sext Up Kids and the Sextortion of Amanda Todd, the situations brought forth with children and the dangers of the online world raise the issues of censorship. How much freedom should youth have? By allowing them to roam free on the world wide web, are we handing them to the hands of online predators and the dangers of a tainted online identity? These are the questions that ran through my mind. I came to the conclusion that conversation needs to happen and having the dreaded "sex talk" needs to happen at an early age. The traditional view of the topic of sex being taboo needs to be left in the dust. The 21st century is one of technology, and if parents and teachers are uncomfortable with the topic of sex and refuse to answer questions or engage conversation, children will find their own answers and in doing so, my find themselves in a world beyond their curiosity.