Ready for some useless musings about grammar, social media, and teens?
I heard that these days people place grammar high on their list of attractive qualities. One man wondered if this is because many people meet and get to know each other on line, and grammar is the new first impression.
My soon to be sixteen-year-old son (OMG!) has a Facebook and Twitter account, and I monitor (stalk?) it regularly. It was one of the conditions. Here are some of the benefits of keeping an eye on kids and social media:
- We can be a fly on the wall without being in the room. It's easier to keep an eye on friendships, drama, and social interactions.
- We learn what matters to kids--what frustrates them, what makes them angry, and what makes them sad. We learn if there's a school project that's troubling them.
- It's a teaching opportunity--we can teach kids what is or isn't appropriate for the World Wide Web. Social media is a fact of life these days, and we can guide kids through it.
While monitoring a teen's social media, here are some things I've noticed:
- Kids share WAY too much information on line.
- Some kids don't yet realize the consequences of negative online behavior, such as foul language and bullying.
- Their grammar needs...work.
But fear not. There is hope.
- My son is a beat cop on the Grammar Police Force. Two of my favorite tweets of his were... People! You're = you are. Your = possession. And Proper spelling and grammar today. #respect. He's annoyed by poor spelling and grammar as much as any writer. He gives me hope that the next generation is not a lost cause.
- I saw a story about second graders who corrected NFL players' tweets. Click here to check out the quick story and photos. It'll make your day.
Another benefit of social media? Tweets and Facebook posts help kids get to the point quicker, which is helpful in English class :)
There you have it. My useless musings about teens, grammar, and social media. Tell me, what have been your observations on the subject? The good the bad and the ugly, I want to know!