There needs to be less panic and hand-wringing about the phenomenon of young people using social networking sites, as many teens are savvy enough to minimise risks for themselves, according to a QUT researcher.
Professor Kerry Mallan, of the Faculty of Education's School of Cultural and Language Studies, and her colleagues interviewed 170 students as part of an ARC Discovery-funded study, and learned a lot about their social networking habits - mostly, that young people are savvier than they often get credit for.
"Often, young people are seen as vulnerable and naïve and as having no resources to protect themselves when it comes to social networking sites," said Professor Mallan.
"While I am in no way advocating that adults abdicate responsibility, we need to find out more about the knowledge young people bring to these sites and what measures they take to protect themselves.
"The popularity of MySpace is a clear indicator that young people see these social networking sites as having value, and much of this appeal lies in how these sites contribute to shaping identity and extending friendship networks.
"They know to block people they do not know, they do not put addresses or phone numbers on there, and often will use photos of themselves in a group so that they do not stand out."
Professor Mallan said she believed online friendships acted as an extension of 'real life' friendships, and allowed young people to express themselves in often different and creative ways.
"Generally I think young people feel online networking gives them a voice, a chance to extend networks and enjoy themselves - and young people are not alone in wanting these things: we take on technology and use it to serve our interests and needs, whatever these may be at each stage of life," she said.
"For example, working adults feel reliant on their mobile phone and email; some are hooked on their iPhones, because it is important to their work and social and information networks.
"It is similar for young people, who are at a stage when exploring their identity, expressing themselves, and bonding with peers are so important.
"Things change and I think these things will evolve and new ways of self-expression will come into play, and we just have to accept that.
"I think rather than sensationalising all of the negative things, we need to stand back and listen to what young people are saying and take it seriously: listen to them when they say they are confident about it, instead of dismissing what they say."
Media contact: Sharon Thompson, QUT media officer - 3138 4494 or sharon.thompson@qut.edu.au
**Hi-res pic available for media
