Mommy Blog Lines: Tal(k)ing Care

Our colleagues in media studies are doing a good job of investigating and reporting on the invasive nature of the net. People involved in critical media studies point our or remind us that the web is a structure that in many ways manages us. While some of us are still comforted by the illusion that webtalk is free and unregulated -- even that the web is a place for democratic cross-talk, those in media studies talk about the history and current developments that indicate the commodification of the internet and of us as users. In the next few posts we'll reflect on some of the findings and theories that are circulating and important to consider. Magazines like "Wired" and web enthusiasts from the tech industry may have controlled the conversation for too long.

While packing for a flight home in early January after the winter holiday season, I found myself listening to Diane Flacks , a CBC columnist, talking about the ways in which 'tweens and teens are feeling about their parents posting images and comments about their children on their parent's Facebook, Instagram and other social media. I was somewhat stunned by what I heard. It was as though Diane had not thought of the rights or perceptions of her son, who told her when she asked why he objected to her posting images of him on her Facebook page, that kids want control over their own images on social media within their mom's social circle. Kids are not interested in being the focal point of discussion by their parents. They are aware of the possibility of having embarrassing photos posted that will be forever online, and also of having their privacy violated by such acts. Finding an article on usable knowledge website I, too, would like to see the development of consci

https://picjumbo.imgix.net/HNCK0677.jpg?q=40&w=1650&sharp=30 We've often observed that much work is being done to educate children on how to behave and perform online. attention is paid to showing children how to be more aware of being "digital citizens". Parents, on the other hand, are often tasked with guiding their children  but little is written to help guide them as they enter into digital communication and relationships. Then over Christmas we uncovered this exciting site, "Parenting for a Digital Future" ," from the UK. What we really like about this site is that it begins to address the interests of adults who are moving into digital interactions with no more, and often less, experience than their children. Their situation is being considered here. We'll check in on this site from time to time to see if it addresses the topic at the root of our project: what adults need to think about in relation to their own and others online pri