Kids Will Find a Way

Those of us working in schools and school libraries are always monitoring what's going on in media and communications. We do this because we want to help young people find and use the tools they need, but we also want to shield them from harm and time-wasting distractions. We librarians are usually on the side of freedom and possibilities, while school personnel naturally are concerned about safety as a first necessity. This puts us school librarians right smack in the middle. I think we need a lot more public discussion of this and other issues, through our blogs and other media we use to communicate. Previously I've listed a few of the leading blogs relating to new technologies in libraries and schools. Then there's me, and you. Not at all famous or widely read. So far I haven't found a groundswell of discussion among our rank and file. Yes, we're busy -- but we need to talk more.

Especially those of us in school libraries, often isolated within our schools. We need to use these tools to keep up our discussions and encourage one another to continue the discussions into our schools, with faculty and administrators.

Here's today's word from the New York Times, http://www.nytimes.com/2007/01/02/technology/02net.html?ref=business, confirming what we already know: that whenever we adults jump in and try to take over, or promote safe use of popular media, the young will migrate to other places. Someone's always out there, making new hideouts, new amusement parks, secret playgrounds, away from the eyes of the grownups. (And of course in the media world, it's offten other grownups who, for profit or principle, are providing these playgrounds.)

The title of this article, on the front page of the business section, is "Using Web Cams but Few Inhibitions, the Young Turn to Risky Social Sites."

There's not an easy answer for us. Many schools just block all access to anything that might be (and often is!) objectionable. Web filters abound, and many schools swear by them. But are we just shutting our eyes and pretending this is the answer? If we really want our schools to prepare young people for the world of today and tomorrow, are we right to ignore these parts of their lives? What do you do in your school? What would you like to do? Let's talk.