Technolgy.+the+Internet,+&+the+iCarly+website,+Marjorie+Thomas

When it comes to teaching children and teens about the benefits of using technology and the Internet, iCarly promotes the usage of the Internet and other technology as well. iCarly focuses on user-generated content and it also looks at how children and teens use the iCarly website. Much of this show is focused around the Internet, so the website related to the show has to be user-generated and accessible. iCarly is totally focused on making sure to have user-generated content on their website because they want to be able to keep the website kid friendly. When a website has user-generated content the parents are reassured that the website is partially or totally monitored by website administrators to make sure there is no offensive content or language portrayed. The website is free of copyright infringement issues so all the viewers have to worry about is the advertisements. The website has gotten many mixed reviews from parents, children, and teens. There are three main categories in which the website is based on and within these categories are different sub categories. . These categories are the “good stuff”, with the sub categories of the educational value, messages that are sent to the viewers, and the user-created content (which is the biggest part of the website). The next category is “what to watch out for”, with the sub categories of violence, sex, language, consumerism, and drinking, drugs and smoking (which is a non issue with the entire website). The final category is “how safe is it”, with the sub categories of personal privacy, online interaction, and parental controls. Overall, the website was determined to be good for children 8 years old and up. What the parents need to know about the website is the iCarly website is a safe and fun place for children and teens to upload their own videos that will be featured on the website. Children and teens can also post comments or comment about other posts. They just need to be careful about entering the different parts of the websites where the advertisements are. Also if you have younger children they can still go on the website it might just be a good idea for the parent to sit with them and view the site with their child. The website is a great tool for families to talk about when it comes to media in their life. The website can be a great stepping stone in bringing together children and their parents when it comes to the internet and technology use. The parents can monitor their children’s online use while still being able to give them the freedom they want to be able to explore the internet safely. Children and teens can also play the games on the website and the parents do not have to worry about the games being violent. The iCarly website is an entertaining website for kids and teens as long as they do not get carried away while they are on the website or with their videos.