Should social networking be a new course offering?

In searching for a useful widget, of which I have found NONE, I came across this very interesting article about the many ways that journalists are utilizing social networking sites to aid in their work. Funny that there is so much to be attained from these sites and yet we ban them from use in our classroom and schools. I often wonder if we adults are just too dang worried about what negative things could or might happen to realize the positives that could or might come of these experiences. Are we limiting their potential in the world? I can't think of a day that I did not jump on my computer and check my Facebook or Google something. Often, I am doing it from my HTC Touch Pro II. Life is not what it used to be...




Do I think that kids need to abandon traditional studies and skills? No. Do I think that kids no longer need to learn how to read, write, speak, listen, think? No. Do I think we need to reexamine the means by which those skills are taught? YES! I know that I want my niece, Sophia, to be as prepared for this world as she can be. Protecting her from potential dangers is important, but I don't lock her inside the house because there might be a child molester somewhere. I teach her how to avoid strangers and how to deal with potential predators. We have to do the same thing with the internet. Social media can be a very helpful tool. It offers more in the way of positive connections with people around the world than it does negatives. We just need to teach them how to handle it.