Me and My 500 "Friends"

Gr 7 Up—The virtual world is impossible to keep tabs on. And, as anyone who works with teens knows, a permeating sense of naïve invincibility is a cornerstone of adolescent brain development, so a cautionary video such as this is bound to cause some snickering when watched in a group setting. That said, thanks in large part to several disturbing live commentaries, it will also seize the attention of viewers. The graphic component, which is comprised of a simulated blue light computer screen and various search engine replicas, borders on the juvenile. These visuals are kept to a minimum, however, and the bulk of the presentation wisely vacillates between commentary by teen host, Samara Amat, the credible expert explanations provided by Elisabeth Englander, PhD, and particularly poignant student testimonials regarding the pros and cons of life plugged in. As their stories illustrate, surfing social networks provides an open forum for individuals from all walks of life, and may serve as a needed vocal outlet for many a teen. This particular perk, however, doesn't come without a price, a fact that the video deftly demonstrates via alarming tales of bullying, harassment, kidnapping, rape, and murder. These segments are so shocking that they may strike some viewers as over the top by way of a "Scared Straight!" episode. However, these tales will hit home with teens: sharing too much information online is dangerous. The video concludes with a succinct overview of precautionary tips for staying safe online.—Anna Taylor, Teen Librarian, Sun Prairie Public Library, Sun Prairie, WI