Keep us online Why we need the internet and other technologies

I suppose earlier generations had to sit through all this huffing and puffing with the invention of television, the phone, cinema, radio, the car, the bicycle, printing, the wheel and so on, but you would think we would learn the way these things work, which is this: Everything that’s already in the world when you’re born is just normal; Anything that gets invented between then and before you turn thirty is incredibly exciting and creative and with any luck you can make a career out of it; Anything that gets invented after you’re thirty is against the natural order of things and the beginning of the end of civilisation as we know it until it’s been around for about ten years when it gradually turns out to be alright really. Douglas Adams

I’m 13 I’m guessing you are all over 30 Do you get my point?

ICT and me The essentials: MSN Mobile Phone Google/Altavista iTunes Digital Camera/Webcam How many of these do you use?

ICT and me The fun things: Myspace/Bebo etc. Game sites eg. miniclip MPG games eg. Runescape, Club Penguin Games Consoles inc. web access eg. Xbox live Handheld Consoles How many of these have you used?

Of course many young people will disagree with these lists but generally these are the main new technologies young people use. Some may not be classed as new, such as handheld games consoles but nearly all of the examples are less than 10 years old. If these are recent developments how will you help us stay safe in the future with new technologies then?

The Benefits MSN Communication amongst friends File sharing Collaboration (homework, projects)

The Benefits MySpace, Bebo, etc. Communication amongst friends Designing skills Promoting themselves (music, art, writing)

Don’t make excuses and say new technology is stopping me doing all the things you used to do I’m 13, I enjoy all sorts of fun – not just online

Thank You