What sticks & stones can't do, Facebook will--and more!(Words & Images)

• Author: Zay, Sarah

WITH THE RISE OF websites such as Facebook, social networking may be on the verge of replacing traditional personal interactions for the next generation. This leads one to ask, do the social networking websites contribute to, or detract from, our interpersonal relationships--and, at what age is it appropriate for someone to create his or her own Facebook page, Flicker account, or even start a blog? Although the required age to have a Facebook account is 13--also line of many other social networking accounts--anyone from the age of eight to 80 can have his or her own little corner of self expression on the Internet.

These networking programs are used differently, depending on the generation. For arguments sake, we will focus on Facebook and the ways certain generations use the program. While many adults find that creating a Facebook account is a convenient way of connecting with long-lost high school friends they have not seen in years, kids are more likely to be "friending" peers they interact with in their school. While adults may spend time reminiscing about the good old days, kids have nothing to reminisce about except for the daily gossip that occurs between classes and after school. While adults use their profile pictures as a way of casually showing themselves, their family, or possibly a recent trip they took, you have a gross amount of young girls and boys attempting to impress one another by showcasing themselves in mature situations or displaying their physique. For instance, many pictures that teenagers post online reveal underage drinking, smoking, and partying. If you do not believe this, ask any 'tween you know to show you some of the "cool kids" and their Facebook profiles. They most likely will not because they know the content is age-inappropriate. Yet, if they do, they will be cautious not to display an incriminating photograph. I question whether teenagers are able to handle the responsibility of using social networking systems to market themselves in a positive way, as opposed to trying to impress their peers with inappropriate content.

Rebellious behavior is a part of growing up. How many of us look back on high school and remember a guy everyone thought was cool because he drank, or a girl who was able to go out on school nights? This kind of behavior gave kids bad reputations, but only on a local level. When the occasional good kid got involved with the wrong crowd at the wrong moment, the consequences hopefully were...