Balancing risks and growth in a digital world

Abstract

The digital world offers a glittering promise of ubiquitous connectlVlty, withfriends, entertainment and information at our fingertips. It is not surprising thatyoung people are choosing the online environment as a principal mechanism forsocialising, communicating and exploring. Conversely though, we are told that theinternet is a very dangerous place, particularly for the young. A dominant focus ofcontemporary political and academic investigation relates to the risk perspective ofchildren and young adults using the internet. The goal of this chapter is to questionthe moral panics that surround social networking and online technologies andto present a more considered and balanced perspective. It should be possible foryoung people to 'grow up digitally' in a protected and supported environment,which minimises risk while building important skills for life in the digital world.