Coming of Age with the Internet: This study achieves its purpose...but is limited

“Coming of age with the internet: A qualitative exploration of how the internet has become an integral part of young people’s lives” is a study conducted and written by Sally J. McMillan and Margaret Morrison. These researchers, through the use of autobiographical essays, endeavored to “capture the evolution of cultural patterns” as it pertains to the use of the internet in young adult lives.

The study concludes with the statement that the internet is pervasive … this I knew. While this article was interesting and easy to read (not convoluted like the Raby article), I did not feel like I had many “a-ha” moments. It seemed to me that the purpose of the study was to determine common experiences with the internet, classify them and through these classifications, attempt to explain them. The explanations were simple and straightforward, not mind-blowing or earth-shattering in any way…

The following are areas that I connected with as a reader and fellow internet user:

• “The breadth of information available via the internet sometimes made self-definition challenging” (79). Personally, I believe that self-definition is a journey that lasts a lifetime. Every time I read a book, participate in a stimulating conversation or “surf the net” I am adding or taking away from an identity that is constantly emerging as I age. The internet is unique because it opens up so many learning possibilities and thus, can be overwhelming and challenging to sift through. Consequently, it could be very easy to lose one’s self in the resulting bombardment.

• In my opinion, one of the finest features of the internet (specifically Email and Facebook) is the close association between anonymity and the ability to really communicate. It is easier for me to open up and converse when I do not have to cope with the self-consciousness that results when I am face-to- face with someone. In the article, Brian points out that his relationship with his father improved through the Email correspondence that they shared. “… We still rarely talk in person about anything of real personal significance. My relationship with my dad is definitely closer on the electronic level” (81). The ability to build and maintain close relationships with people who are far away (both physically and emotionally) is definitely a plus of internet use.

• “Many informants saw online work as necessary and appropriate, but had grave concerns about online play” (84). I can definitely subscribe to this feeling. I feel completely confident when using the internet to research for school or my job, but feel trepidation when using it for other purposes. I do not know why there is a difference. Perhaps, I am afraid that I may become dependent on something that could replace human contact. This was a concern voiced several times in the article.

• This article conveys to me that internet use, for the most part, is a positive experience. The article does conclude with the following cautionary advice: “students need to be counseled that the internet does not replace the need for traditional forms of research” (91). The temptation to use the internet exclusively when conducting research is great (I too, fall victim to this) because it is so convenient. The problem is that it doesn’t give a complete picture.
  
  My conclusion is that this article "touches the tip of the iceberg" when addressing the use of the internet by the youth of today. It serves as a decent introduction, but does not offer a complete picture of internet use. For example, I was troubled that the article neglected to touch upon cyber-bullying, unless this is a recent development in the use of the internet. I was also hoping that there would be information on the prevalence of internet pornography, and how many impressionable teens have addictions to it. Lastly, there is the issue of online predators and how dangerous they can be. I understand that the scope of the study did not invite a discussion of these topics; I do hope there will be an opportunity to explore these internet dangers in some depth during our class
  discussion.