HW 7: Applying Graff, Chapter 3 to "My So-Called Blog"

I think parents should monitor the things their middle-school children write online. Middle-school children range from age 11 to 14. These children should be limited to what they say on the internet for their own safety. There are creepy people in the world that prey on children these ages. These children can be tricked into giving their full name, address and phone number to strangers. Even if the child’s parents tell their child not to give out their personal information, they can still be tricked into giving it to strangers on the internet. Parents should also monitor what their children write on the internet because they should make sure they are not getting involved with drugs, alcohol and sex at such a young age. Even using fowl language should be monitored. In Emily Nussbaum’s “My So-Called Blog,” she asks a group of girls about a blog they have just read. Emily Nussbaum questions:

What kinds of things did she write about? I asked. Eating disorders? Sex? “All
of it,” they said in unison. “All of it.” (Kline and Burstein 357)

If a child is struggling with an eating disorder or hurting themselves, the parents should be aware of that so the child can get the proper care of a physician. Children do need their privacy though. I’m not saying parents should read every single thing their children write online, just enough to protect their children. That way the child still has some freedom with their writing, but they will also be protected by their parrents eyes.