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Monday, December 10, 2012

Is blogging the new pastime for kids?


Something that I've seen more and more of recently is pre-teen/early-teen bloggers.  Have you been noticing these blogs cropping up?  

It makes me wonder:  is it just because this generation of kids were all born after the technology boom, and have never experienced life without it?  The generation that doesn't think twice about everyone in their family having an iPhone 5 or tablet?  About never having to worry about not being able to "talk and surf at the same time"?  

A few months ago, I was having brunch with my family, and at the table next to us, a dad and his son sat down to wait for the mom and sister before ordering.  The dad pulls out his smartphone to browse, and the 10 year old kid opens the case to an iPad, which he props on the table less than a foot away from his face.  Neither speak to each other.  About fifteen minutes passes before the mom and daughter show up, who then proceed to do the same thing that the dad and son did.  Hardly any words were spoken between them the entire time they were there.

I was flabbergasted.  Is this what 'family time' has come to mean?  Maybe all getting together in the evening to instant message one another from across the room, or write joint blog posts? Maybe blogging's become the new form of writing in a diary.  As someone who blogs regularly, and knows how much of your time it takes up, I can't help but wonder about how the amount of screentime will affect them later in life.  When I was that age, the only time I was allowed on the computer was if I needed it for homework.  Otherwise, it was reading, playing catch, boardgames, coloring, etc.

Although I love blogging and have nothing against fellow bloggers (however young they are), I think there's something to be said for 11-, 12-, 13-year-olds learning about the world outside of a screen.

Let's hear it: what do you think about these kid bloggers?

11 comments:

  1. I really am saddened by this phenomenon. Seriously, when I give birth, Ill train my daughter and other kids to avoid technology all the time (only use it when necessary). I hate how family time has become this do-your-own-thing-virtually-together-physically time. :'(

    New follower here!

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  2. I myself am a, well, "young blogger" and our family has a lot of technology in our house. however we are very limited to when we can use it. after all our responsibilities are done, school, social activities, everything is done then we may use it. also it depends on what were doing on the media. my parents support me in blogging and encourage me to do that. however, Facebook, pinterest, browsing, texting, social media and all that is limited. in fact, we have never owned a TV (we do have Netflix) because when my dad is home in the evenings we have family time (without a screen in our face)
    You're right though. people are addicted and it's getting worse and worse. they start them out as baby's now. little ones are put in front of a screen to entertain them so the mom can get work done. family time is now watching movies or all browsing the web. it's crazy! I'm rambling now, oops. loved the post though. xx

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  3. Sometimes I wonder what they could possibly write about? I am apprehensive about technology and young kids- at such an important stage of development, I don't think it is healthy for them to be behind a screen the whole time. When I have kids there will definitely be strict limitations behind how much they can use their gadgets/go on the internet and a blog would be a big fat no (along with facebook too). As a school teacher I see far too many bullying issues arising from social media.

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  4. I feel like technology has become the norm for kids as young as the ages you are talking about. Just the other day I overheard a 6 year old talk about how she wants an iPad... I have no idea why. What would a 6 year old do with an iPad? You know when technology is taking a turn for the worse when kids aren't playing anymore. It breaks my heart.

    Great post Megan!

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  5. Yep, I'm a teen blogger. And, yep, there are pros and cons to it. I'm sorry, Samara, I have to disagree with you about the part of your comment that says that teens can't have much to write about. I have read many amazing teen blogs. Some teens have very important things to say. I have really loved my blogging journey, and hope to do it for a long time. People encourage me, and help me realize that I'm not the only one dealing with weird insecurities and stuff that only teens could understand. And sometimes there are teens (like me) that just love to write, and just want their thoughts and opinions out there for the world to see. It's hard for a teen to have a voice in this world, and blogging is a great way to get your stuff out! So, yeah, this comment has gotten long, and you guys might not read it, but I felt like I should say something.

    <3

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  6. First I want to say, that your opinion is totally yours. However, not every young blogger 'clogs up the internet'. In fact I know quite a few 'teen bloggers' who inspire and encourage me. Sometimes we just need to get all the thoughts out of our heads. I feel like adult constantly look down on kids, "what could they possibly write about?" Plenty. Do you think us adolescents are brainless? No, we have thoughts, struggles, and joys too. We're not babies who babble mindlessly. Do I think electronics are overused? Yes, most defiantly. But just because young teens have a blog doesn't mean it consumes their lives.
    Emma

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  7. I don't think it's bad at all, why can't a teen have a blog? they can have a facebook, an email, so why can't they have a blog?

    A blog is where they can get their feelings, their writings, their inspiration all down on one page and share it to inspire the world. Its an writing outlet, and it's very encouraging as well when other people read it and agree with you or tell you they think your writing is beautiful or that it helped them in some way shape or form. Sometimes, they can even inspire adults.

    The only thing I would say that is my only caution for teen bloggers is the same thing I'd say to anyone who is on the internet, is to be careful. Don't give away personal details like your address or phone number. Don't meet up with strangers that you don't know. Be wise about it. And be careful what blogs you follow. Use discretion. If they are really young, maybe a parent should supervise it to make sure they aren't doing that, but aside from that I see no harm whatsoever.

    I'm 18 so maybe it's a bit different for me. But I've seen a lot of teens with good pieces of advice, wisdom, recipes, fashion advice, photography skills, and more. They're talented.

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  8. Hi I'm a teenage blogger and I have plenty to talk about on my blog, it's a place to meet knew friends. were we can talk about stuff that some times we can't talk about other wise. you should be glad that we are on blogger and not on the other crap out there.

    Beka

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  9. I admit that I don't really understand ten-year-olds having blogs, and don't really think thirteen-year-olds should have them either. That said, I think after reading this post and reading other views on it that I'm judgmental for saying that. I know that all the adults in the world were teenAGED in their life, but I agree with others I've read about this subject that they didn't have blogging back then or the other advanced technology we have now. I am not saying all technology is good--what does a six-year-old need with ANY phone, let alone an iPhone or iPad or any of that? I definitely think age limits should be a priority when using this. But in reference to Samara's question about what teens could possibly write about . . . we write about many things. Some of us write about the same subjects you do, I'm sure. And some of us write them very well indeed.

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  10. It IS scary how technology is interfering with family time and even real life relationships. We laugh at how girls sitting next to each other, text each other anyways, but sadly, this is what's happening in our society.
    I started blogging when I was thirteen years old with permission of my parents. Through it, I have met two of my dearest friends in the whole wide world {one of whom I have met several times in person and stayed with her for a week this past summer} - something that would not have been possible had I not started a blog. It opened such a wonderful world of connecting with like-minded young ladies - another thing that is very difficult when you are a hopelessly old-fashioned homeschooled student, living in a small town, in a small church, in a small community with not as many opportunities as in the city.
    I must disagree with you, though, about teens having nothing to write about or its even being unhealthy to keep a blog at the teenage age. Sadly, a lot of teenagers are labeled as being immature, emotional, ditzy, brats who post nothing but a myriad of "like, like you know's" on all of their social networks - and as a teenage blogger it's hard prove that a lot of us bloggers are fighting against the pressure of that identity. Although teenagers are not grown up adults, they still have the same emotions, profound revelations, ingenious inspirations, and exciting projects and circumstances that they want to share with the world - we are growing up to be adults, and blogging is documenting our journey. Personally, I follow an extensive amount of teenage bloggers who write the most heart-felt, creative, inspiring posts - a lot of which own successful photography/graphic design businesses; and in my personal life I have seen a stark contrast in my writing abilities for school papers n' such than before keeping a blog.
    Alrighty, I'll get off of my soapbox now. Hope that didn't sound anywhere close to harsh. Thank you for the topic of debate! I thoroughly enjoyed myself, and to let you know, I completely respect your opinions. *smile*

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  11. I have to disagree. I'm a tween blogger, and because of blogging, I have met several of my closest friends. I really agree with Grace.

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