Diaries with a Lock Belong to the Past

English 203

November 16, 2005

Essay #1

Diaries with a lock belong to the past

Remember the diaries with the lock? Remember the hidden key? The olden days when teens used to confess their biggest secrets to the diary have past. In our days millions of teens who grew up with a mouse in one hand and a cell phone in the other now pour out their hearts, minds and trouble in personal online diaries. Here is how it works: First, teens register and create an account with the web site. Next, they can begin to personalize the design of their own online diary. Now they are ready to post their thoughts, pictures, gossips, songs, videos and much more online. The problem is: anyone in the whole world with an internet connection can have a front-row view of these diaries. It is as simple as that. Even more seriously, internet predators can use blogs to collect information about teens they plan to target. As discussing the subject, many questions are raised. Do teens and pre-teens have the right to create such personal sites? Do teens have the right to post blogs? Are these sites private in any way?

The internet is developing from a tool for exchanging information to a place where one can do everything that used to be done in the physical world. The Internet has revolutionized everyday life for millions of people around the world. It is becoming a place to be, especially for teenagers. According to CNN the internet is a part of a teen’s life just as much as cars, TV, friends or music. Having grown up with the Internet, it is a natural part of teenagers' lives. Teens have naturally progressed from sending an e-mail and instant-messaging friends to posting personal Web pages on sites such as MySpace, LiveJournal, Xanga or other social networking sites. In such Web pages, teenagers sign up and get a Web page of their own where they post anything they want from photographs to gossips, which can be viewed by millions of other members. Members also collect friends, who link to each other's sites and post photos on them. The more friends and the cooler they are, the cooler you are. Nothing new but the way it goes. People exchange instant messages and create blogs, share music and post their personal interests. It's like hanging out together, except not in the same spot. Who needs a telephone or a car anymore? There is no need to leave the house any longer. All one need is a compatible chair, computer and an internet connection.

At least 8 million