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The hottest movies aren't at the neighborhood cineplex. Must-see videos are now online where thousands of amateur videographers post short clips made with portable cameras or even cell phones. These so-called "video snacks" are so irresistible that YouTube.com, one of the first sites to post videos, actually bypassed MySpace as most visited website earlier this year. Naturally, this kind of success has inspired competition. Google, AOL and a variety of other websites also offer video clips now. Some kids, of course, will be inspired to make and post their own clips. Although videos can be a creative outlet for adolescents, parents should keep tight control over what's posted online. Regardless of their technical capabilities, kids 13 and under should make only home movies to be shared with friends and family. Even older kids should get permission before posting a video online. (Make certain they do not provide any information, such as their website, and, as a OC Family Magazine policy, they should only log on while you are present - to upload or to view. YouTube is filled with inappropriate videos.) Parental review will give kids a glimpse into how their video might be received not only by their peers but also by the adults who increasingly are keeping track of what's posted online. School officials, law enforcement officers, prospective employers and even the National Security Agency are starting to monitor what's on video websites. Most kids don't fully understand the repercussions of putting personal material online, so parents should ask these questions before they post. Does the video contain anything illegal or dangerous? One of the most disturbing video trends is the use of cellphone cameras to capture fights and other crimes. In one case, teens actually set fights to music and sold them. Does the video identify you? Most kids are now smart enough to know they don't want their name, address or phone number online. But they may be oblivious to the kind of identifying information that might show up in a video. Check for revealing details such as a wide shot of your home, a curb address, a license plate or a T-shirt with the logo for your child's school. Does the video violate anyone's privacy? Not everyone wants to be in pictures. Your child should at the very least get permission from people who are in his or her video. This is especially true if he or she has captured a friend or, for that matter, a stranger doing something that is potentially embarrassing. Are you prepared for comments? For many kids, the opportunity to get instant feedback on their video is part of the appeal of online video sites. On the other hand, many of the comments posted are crass or even cruel. Kids who don't have a thick skin may want to look for more supportive venues. By posting a video online, young artists effectively give up control of where and when their creation will be viewed. Also, in the future, search engines may be able to search images as easily as they now do words. Parents have to help kids imagine themselves as a 30-year-old with a job, a family and, perhaps, political ambitions. Will this video still seem like a good idea? Carolyn Jabs reports on the Internet and the way it is shaping the lives of children and adolescents. |
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