Ah, the internet, a vast digital world in which one can venture forth into the collective unconsciousness of man, and also view a disturbing amount of fan-fiction. We sometimes forget that the internet IS a real breathing world unto it's own, complete with roads to travel... and bad people along the way who wait in ambush; who may or may not be hiding in digital bushes. We think ourselves veterans of this digital world as we march along and spread our very special opinions upon any who would read our YouTube comments.

"My thoughts and ideas are revolutionary! I better post them in a

hostile manner on an obscure YouTube video."

   In reality, any one of us is susceptible to being the victim in an information highway robbery. Why then do we expect our younger generations to fair any better? As instructors we have a unique position that can aid in the safety of online traversal. We expect that, just because these young'uns know their Pokemon Index (that's PokeDex to those cool cats out there) numbers forwards and backwards, that they are more savvy than you or I. Really though, they have simply grown in the digital age and may not realize just what exactly their online footprint reveals or impacts.

   I'm sure there are tons of commentaries about online safety and protecting yourself, but I want to focus on a specific malady, online bullying. Now, we love to characterize these would be digital ruffians as slack-jawed, socially inept, skag-trolls, but what happens when the one doing the bullying is a 12-year old who has no idea what the ramifications of his actions are?

Behold, the face of digital tyranny!

   Education is key here. The anonymity granted by the internet is a mighty power, and we just hand it to children without any sort of guidelines. Grenades are also very powerful, and we train those we expect to utilize them in the proper skills necessary (I would advise against playing hacky-sack with an M61-F). A great introduction to this world wide back-and-forth? http://www.netsmartz.org/Parents 

   A great introduction for the uninitiated or "Newbie", this site offers many paths of safety to trundle upon. The internet is a superb thing, and a natural evolution in the world wide discourse of our species that provides an almost limitless possibility for our children, but so was the Serengeti... and we taught our children to watch out for lions.

I warned Timmy about those hyenas! Now they have his credit card information.