CAVEAT – This posting was spawned given that recently we heard a presenter say to both youth and their parents, “friends are not made or found online”
It is evident that the meaning of “friendship” has evolved in today’s onlife world, challenging the traditional notion that meaningful connections can only be formed offline. While acknowledging the legitimate concerns related to online predation and exploitation, something that we speak to in-depth as well (1), it is essential to recognize the genuine and profound friendships that youth can cultivate in today’s onlife world.
Today, youth have the ability via technology to connect over shared interests, and the global reach of online interactions, the depth of meaningful conversations, and the support systems formed around common challenges all contribute to the authenticity of online friendships and community.
Do you remember pen pals in our childhood? A pen pal was an individual who you did not know with whom you regularly exchanged letters with, typically someone from a different country or cultural background. Pen pals communicated through written correspondence, sharing their experiences, thoughts, and perspectives with someone they never met face to face – sound familiar?
As we navigate the complexities of the onlife world, it becomes evident that dismissing the value of friendships made or found online oversimplifies the rich tapestry of human connections and community that extend beyond geographical boundaries or offline face-to-face interactions. As parents and caregivers, fostering an understanding of the positive aspects of online friendships, coupled with appropriate guidance, empowers youth to navigate the onlife world responsibly and derive genuine fulfillment from their diverse and meaningful friendship connections online.
The onlife world has redefined the landscape of social interactions, providing young people with diverse opportunities to connect and form genuine friendships online. Shared interests, global connectivity, digital empathy, common struggles, and the ability to sustain long-distance friendships all contribute to the validity of these connections. Dismissing the authenticity of online friendships, especially among youth, is an outdated perspective that we believe is primarily fear-based – something the kids call “boomer logic”.
As parents, it’s crucial to acknowledge and embrace the evolving nature of what a friend is in today’s onlife world. With parental shepherding, our children have the opportunity to forge genuine and meaningful connections that transcend geographical boundaries. It’s important to recognize that, like any tool or platform, the onlife world presents both positive and negative aspects. Instead of dismissing the potential benefits due to concerns surrounding safety, we should approach it with a balanced perspective, ensuring that we don’t discard the valuable opportunities amid some of the negative challenges.
In navigating the complexities of the onlife world, parents play a pivotal role in guiding youth toward responsible and positive online interactions. Emphasizing the importance of discernment and critical thinking, we can empower our kids to make informed decisions about their digital connections. By fostering open communication and a sense of digital literacy, parents can help their children navigate the online landscape while building meaningful online friendships.
Rather than dismissing the possibility of genuine and meaningful online friendships among youth, let’s empower our children with the skills and awareness required to flourish and stay secure in today’s onlife world.
Yes! – youth can forge real and meaningful friendships online, but they need us parents and caregivers to shepherd, filter, and show them how especially at younger ages.
Digital Food For Thought
The White Hatter
References:
1/ https://thewhitehatter.ca/online-sexual-predation-and-exploitation/
