Post for Wednesday July 11th 2012

11 July 2012

I have read a lot of stories lately about teenagers choosing to end their own lives because of bullying, or embarrassment, or social problems. I ask myself, "Are kids these days really facing difficulties that I do not remember as a child?" I really do not think so. I do not know if the numbers of teens who choose to end it all are really increasing, or if it is just making the news in greater concentration. I,however, think that there is an element to this persecution that is being overlooked, PHONE COURAGE. What I mean by this is that you can and do say things on the phone, or text them, or e-mail them, that you would never say to a person's face. Though there are a few really mean kids out there, most kids would never say most of the hurtful things that are sent by social network options.
When I was a kid there were no social networks aside from the groups that you hung out with in front of your locker, we did not have our own phones (if you wanted to talk to your friend you had to ask their parents to talk to them first), and e-mail was in it's earliest of stages. If you wanted to say something hurtful to someone you ran the very real risk of getting punched in the face! Though some teens still gambled with the risk, you had to respect their courage.
I think that all this business about kids bullying other kids and the problems that have arisen is fatally connected to our addiction to technology. If our children are going to be connected on the social networks they need to be prepared for the hurtful events that can occur and develop a thicker skin about what people say.