Representation+of+Technology+and+the+website,+Marjorie

 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 for 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 will be free of copyright infringement issues and so the public can determine if the content posted is relevant to the site's general theme.   In the episode “iRocked the Vote” Carly and Sam are doing a web show and they talk about their favorite star David on "America Sings". They say how much they want him to win the competition. The next day they are watching the results show of "America Sings". The announcer says that David won and they go nuts, hugging each other. Later they are making a new skit for iCarly when Spencer runs in saying that iCarly is on TV for influencing the votes on "America Sings". The loser then gives a sob story about his mother needing surgery. Plagued with guilt, Carly decides to invite him onto the show and make him a music video. Freddie makes a really awesome music video for the loser and when the guy comes to collect it, it is revealed that his mother is fine. As revenge they make a video about what a jerk he is and they have David guest star on to the show to say that even he does not like him. They release the guy’s hotel informational and tell fans to go give him a piece of their mind if they love America. This particular episode shows how powerful and influential the Internet can be for children and teens and how fast and idea can spread. I think this is good for children to learn with at a young age because it teaches them that they can get their opinions heard through the Internet and they can actually make a difference. A real life example happening right now where kids opinions are being heard is through the iCarly website. The kids are voting right now for the different categories for the “Kids Choice Awards”. They log onto the website, and are shown different clips of the people who are in the running and then at the end they are allowed to vote and even write comments about the person they voted for and why they voted for them. The website does have one downside because iCarly is nominated in several of the categories so the website does have some bias qualities attached to it. However, that just goes along with the iCarly show because in their web shows they are biased about a lot of stuff so kids will come into contact no matter what they are watching or doing.  In the early and middle stages of a child or teen’s life they learn early on that when they watch TV they receive behavioral cues from the shows that they are watching on television. It is sort of like the saying, “monkey see, monkey do” It is important for the networks to recognize this and keep in mind the need to infuse positive messages into their shows and if there is a website involved on the website as well. When television shows and websites show the improper use of the Internet to children, they will come to think they can do anything online without facing any consequences. With iCarly relying so heavily on the Internet and the show having a website that is like a character in itself the network needs to teach children and teens that there is a right way and a wrong way to use the technology and Internet in today’s world. It can be a really great thing, but it can also be really dangerous if they do not know what to look out for or they do not learn right from wrong before they are allowed to be exposed to it.