Today, between the fifth and fiftieth time I’ve checked my Facebook profile, I know the inevitable will happen. I no longer have the interjection “You’ve got mail” from my AOL-obsessed youth to alert me to its arrival, and yet I know it will eventually be there. Sometime today, my mom will email me an article about how Facebook and the internet are out to destroy my love life, my eyesight, my job prospects, or my muscle tone. A dutiful daughter, I always scan the articles, but usually come to the end angry.

Unlike my mother, I grew up with the Internet. I know there was a time in my life when we didn’t have a computer but I don’t remember and I don’t care. I’ve always been taught to respect my elders, but being told by a middle-aged stranger that Facebook is out to get me is a lot like having my teeth drilled out by a car salesman. It’s not that I don’t value the opinions of the articles. But, I maintain that my own Internet truths are self-evident.

My Generation Y Mini Manifesto

1. I know I spend too much time online. Between Facebook (the internet’s version of crack) and the wonders of Google/gmail, I’m the queen of procrastination. I think it even says so under “Jobs” on my Facebook profile.

2. Everyone in Generation Y (or whatever we are called) knows about the dangers of the Internet. We grew up constantly reminded that there is a pedophile in every chat room (although we all visit them anyway). We, unlike previous generations, can spot credit card fraud, MySpace hackers, and sick audio files from miles away. We navigate smart.

3. Most of us know when to say “when.” However, I do acknowledge the validity of the following widely circulated advice (updated a bit here, for the sake of realism). If you’re applying to college or a job, don’t have “joints” as a MySpace interest. If you’re on a sports team, don’t call your coach “fascist fat” on your blog. And, for the love of Pete (literally, for us Petes’ daughters), no one needs to see those pictures of you passed out in the bathtub surrounded by beer cans. The video should probably stay off of YouTube as well.

High school MySpace and other fears

I worry about the next generation (which makes me feel incredibly old). The tragic story of thirteen-year-old Megan Meier was discussed at length in the bars and coffee shops I frequent. In case you missed it on Anderson Cooper, Megan hanged herself after an allegedly intense bullying by a MySpace Romeo gone wrong. The “boyfriend” turned out to be a hoax set up by a street family. Cyberbullying is very real and has exactly the same painful effects as repeated public humiliation at school.

However, I try to focus on the big picture. On the other hand, many children who feel completely isolated are making friends online who really exist and are not pedophiles in disguise. If no one listens to them, they can write on a blog. If they have questions they can’t ask dad, they can get advice on a forum. If your best friend moves to the other side of the world, the good old Facebook is there to keep you informed the second. I know what my friend in London had for lunch today. It’s not important, but it’s nice to feel connected. The statistics speak for themselves. According to studies by the Pew Internet and American Life Project and the Harris Interactive YouthQuery survey, 25% of girls ages 15-17 blog, 26% believe the Internet helps them deal with serious life problems, and 86% You think the Internet improves the quality of your school work.

My Scoop

I love the internet. I say it with pride. I will shout it to the rooftops, or at least on my blogspot. His only flaw is that he doesn’t promote himself well. (But is it really necessary?) I searched the internet for an article about the positive ways the internet is changing the world and couldn’t find a single one. Gandhi said, “You must be the change you want to see in the world.” Good advice. So I started compiling a list for everyone to see. I can’t wait to show you the whole truth of the internet, it’s too broad, but I can try to open your eyes to some wonderful possibilities.

Half-truth: Facebook, MySpace, and other networking sites are dangerous wastes of time.

My Scoop

Yes, you can lose a job or some self-esteem because of the photos you upload to Facebook. Yes, MySpace has loads of hackers. But, the social interaction is invaluable. Most college students would rather spend their last term on a pack of ramen noodles than a stamp. This way, you can also have your Ramen and write a blog about it. These sites also keep users up to date and involved in current issues and events. Yes, there are several user groups dedicated to beer, but there are others focused on everything from supporting political candidates to ending the Darfur crisis to spreading advice on combating global warming. Many of these groups have 20,000 members and are constantly growing.

Half-truth: The Internet is killing small businesses.

My Scoop

Yes, certain astronomically large websites and web services have caused the financial ruin of local bookstores and record stores. But there are other sites that give small businesses and artists ways to reach much larger product markets than ever before. For example, my personal favorite, http://www.etsy.com. In his own words, Etsy is “an online marketplace for buying and selling all things handmade.” When they say “all things,” they’re not kidding. Browsing etsy.com is like having your own private art gallery/craft fair. I highly recommend visiting on a day when you are convinced that everything has been done before. The creativity and craftsmanship you will find there is amazing and usually profitable!

Half-truth: nothing good ever came of hours of web surfing.

My Scoop

Today, the search engine is a vital part of everyday life. Now there’s a way to make your clicks count. GoodSearch.com is making giving to charity easier than ever. Every time you search through the Yahoo! engine, a penny is donated to the charity of your choice (about 24,000 at last count). According to Fortune magazine, “If 500 supporters pledge to raise money for a school and each search the web five times a day, that equates to $9,125 a year.” All at no cost to the person browsing. Never before has a popular procrastination tool done so much good.

Half-truth: The Internet breeds lazy couch potatoes.

My Scoop

It’s true that you won’t burn any calories playing Snood or taking those annoying online quizzes. However, the Internet could provide you with the information and support you need to reach your fitness goals. A relatively new megatrend, Sparkpeople.com, is doing just that. Basically, SparkPeople is like MySpace for dieters. Everyone gets a profile where they state their fitness goals. Members are put into teams (think: support groups) and can opt to receive daily emails with exercises, recipes, and words of encouragement. The site also features a calorie counter and fitness tracker. And works! According to the website, members have lost nearly four million pounds to date.

The digital divide doesn’t have to split your family in two. As in most family matters, it is usually best to reach a compromise. Educate your children about the dangers of the Internet. Ask them what kinds of online activities they enjoy and who their cyber friends are. Then, in turn, let them educate you. Watch your favorite YouTube videos, read your favorite ezines, learn a thing or two. If you need a place to start, I recommend the sites listed above. You will discover that the Internet is a wonderland for people of all ages. I could recommend many more, but my thirteen-year-old cousin just sent me a video on YouTube. I know it won’t be my style, but she keeps me feeling “on trend.”

Happy browsing!

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