An uninspiring "study" out of Australia states that more than half of teens lie about their age online. As if teens trying to pass as older than they really are is some new phenomenon (C'mon, readers, when did you get your first fake ID?).
What I find especially disconcerting about this newspaper article is the lead: "TEENS are using the internet to lead double lives..." it states. I mean really -- you read the rest of the article and it simply states that teens lie about their age and use pictures to make them selves look better and more "cool." Is this really something to get in a panic about? I think not.
Interesting note: The study was conducted by a "skin products manufacturer." And we wonder why teens struggle to look better all the time...
4 comments:
What was the purpose of the study? Although I never had a fake I.D.(really!), My friend Rich and I did con a few teachers (no offense, DR. Kris!), into giving up enough money to see a concert. Like the Boston Bruins hockey team have the Neely Foundation, the Red Sox have the Jimmy Fund. So, we placed a coffee can in the teachers' lounge at school with the apt title of "The Jimmy Hetfield Fund". The name of the lead singer for the group Metallica, is James Hetfield! No one questioned it, and about two weeks later, concert tickets were born! When I related the story to Kathy, a flight nurse in my crew, she said that's a good example of teens being deceptive. I certainly hope that's not too boring an example to read about.
After reading the article, It's easier for me to understand why teens behave this way. Being judged by looks alone, with the ever present fear of ridicule and rejection can seem overwhelming sometimes. Growing up with the effects of surviving childhood cancer, some kids saw me as an easy target. While this was going on, I found myself to be lacking in school and sports. So there was plenty of ammunition for the bullies. After relocating to another state, I made the effort to excell in my studies and sports, nothing great, but enough to compete. The older I became, the more I was judged on my capabilities, not my looks. It would be great if kids could learn at an earlier age not to rush to the judgement of others. Then again, it seems so much easier for some teenagers to lie about their lives online, than to face their fears.
Anonymous:
That is hilarious (no offense taken whatsoever). Reminds me of a time when we sold one of the more gullible classmates at my school tickets to a Jimi Hendrix concert (he was long passed). We did give her money back.
Jeff V.
Thank you for sharing your story. There is a LOT of pressure for people to look good no matter what age. Clearly, teens, who may be more concrete in their thinking and therefore in their criteria of what a "good" person is may be more prone to depend on looks to assess people and themselves!
I had to sign off as "Anonymous"! The school nurse, still working at the school after 25+ years, drives by my home everyday. She likes to read alot and was one of our "donors"! Only my former english teacher knew, and to this day askes if I still have the collection can....yup!
Post a Comment