Response to Growing Up Online

Overall, I was shocked by what I saw in this video. Growing up, I had fairly strict parents who did not allow me to have my own computer and watched everything I did on the computer. Although I think they were overdoing it, I was amazed to see how much freedom the kids in the video have. I was shocked at the things these young teenagers were doing and surprised that they were doing these things fully knowing that their parents would not be happy with it.
Although I have heard of people getting into fights and bullying, I have never personally known anyone involved in this. I also do not know anyone who has become involved in a relationship purely online (this does not include adults who use online dating). Most of the stories and situations were things I had heard of but am not that familiar with such as creating different identities and websites for eating disorders. I was most shocked by the story about the 13 year old boy who committed suicide and was encouraged to do so by an online friend. I have never heard of people encouraging that and using websites to do so.
I was not as surprised about the cheating and use of Spark Notes, etc in the school. I know before the internet it was a lot more work to copy something. This day in age it is quite easy and I think it is making it easier for kids to learn less or only learn the bare minimum to pass a class. However, technology in the classroom can be a good thing and I did see lots of good uses of it in the video.