Have you ever wondered how people present themselves online? Let me tell you about Henry’s experience. Henry likes to visit online forums. Most of the time, he just reads what others are saying, but sometimes he joins in and posts his thoughts. When he does, he doesn’t pretend to be someone completely different, but he also doesn’t share everything about himself.
For example, there’s a music website where Henry likes to contribute. He hasn’t told anyone there that he’s 14 years old. Why? Because he notices that people often treat him with more respect when they think he’s older. Henry doesn’t lie about his age, but he also doesn’t make it a big deal. This way, people focus on what he says rather than how old he is.
Henry has learned that people react differently based on what they assume about someone’s age. He doesn’t want to trick anyone into thinking he’s an adult, but he also wants his ideas to be taken seriously. So, when he writes online, he chooses his words carefully. He tries not to sound like a typical teenager because he wants to be seen as smart and thoughtful, not immature.
One time, Henry joined a discussion about comic books and science fiction with people he didn’t know. At first, they seemed unsure about talking to him. But as Henry shared his knowledge, they were impressed. In real life, when there’s a big age difference, younger people might not get much attention in conversations. But online, it’s different. You don’t have to prove yourself as much, and people are more likely to listen to what you have to say.
The internet is a unique place where age doesn’t always matter as much as it does in face-to-face interactions. It’s a space where you can share your thoughts and be judged by your ideas rather than your age. Henry’s story shows how you can create an online identity that reflects who you are while also navigating the challenges of being a young person in a digital world.
So, next time you’re online, think about how you present yourself. What do you want people to focus on? Your age, or your ideas? Like Henry, you can find a balance that works for you.
Imagine you are creating a profile for an online forum. Think about what aspects of your identity you would like to share and what you might want to keep private. Write a short description of your online persona, focusing on how you want others to perceive you. Consider what Henry did and how he balanced sharing his ideas with maintaining some privacy.
In small groups, role-play a discussion on a topic of interest, such as a favorite book or movie. Each student should adopt a different online persona, considering how age and identity might affect the conversation. Reflect on how the discussion changes based on the personas you adopt and what you learn from the experience.
Choose a topic you are passionate about and write a short post as if you were contributing to an online forum. Pay close attention to your word choice, aiming to sound knowledgeable and thoughtful. Share your post with the class and discuss how word choice can influence how others perceive your ideas.
Reflect on your own online presence. Write a paragraph about how you currently present yourself online and how you might want to change or refine your online identity. Consider what you learned from Henry’s story and how you can apply it to your own online interactions.
Participate in a classroom debate on the topic: “In online discussions, should age matter more than ideas?” Prepare arguments for both sides, drawing from Henry’s experiences and your own thoughts. After the debate, discuss what you learned about the importance of ideas versus age in online interactions.
Here’s a sanitized version of the transcript:
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I occasionally visit forums, mostly to observe rather than participate, but sometimes I do post. I wouldn’t say I adopt a different persona, but I also don’t fully present myself as I am. There’s a music website where I contribute, and I haven’t disclosed my age, which is 14. This allows me to be treated with a level of respect, as people perceive me as older. I don’t create a different identity, but I also don’t emphasize my age.
People often respond differently based on their assumptions about age. I prefer not to mislead others into thinking I’m an adult, but I also want my contributions to be valued without age-related bias. When I post online, I choose my words carefully to avoid sounding like a typical teenager. I appreciate being regarded as an intelligent and rational individual rather than being dismissed as immature.
I once joined a discussion among strangers about comic books and science fiction. Initially, they were hesitant to engage, but I was able to match their knowledge, which seemed to impress them. In face-to-face interactions, there’s often a need to establish credibility, especially when there’s a significant age difference. If a much younger person entered a conversation, they might not receive much attention. However, the internet allows for a different dynamic where that need to prove oneself is less pronounced.
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This version maintains the essence of the original content while removing any potentially sensitive or inappropriate elements.
Online – Connected to or available through the internet – Many students prefer to do their research online because it provides quick access to a vast amount of information.
Identity – The characteristics and qualities of a person that make them unique – In English class, we discussed how a person’s identity can be shaped by their cultural background and personal experiences.
Private – Belonging to or intended for the use of one particular person or group; not public – It’s important to keep your personal information private when using social media platforms.
Words – Units of language that convey meaning and can be spoken or written – The teacher emphasized the power of words in shaping our thoughts and influencing others.
Conversation – An informal talk involving two or more people, where ideas and thoughts are exchanged – During the debate, students engaged in a lively conversation about the impact of technology on society.
Knowledge – Information, understanding, or skill that you get from experience or education – Reading a variety of books can greatly expand your knowledge and improve your critical thinking skills.
Respect – A feeling of deep admiration for someone or something elicited by their abilities, qualities, or achievements – In our discussion, we learned the importance of showing respect for different viewpoints, even if we disagree with them.
Ideas – Thoughts or suggestions about a possible course of action or a concept – The brainstorming session generated many creative ideas for the school project.
Digital – Involving or relating to the use of computer technology – The digital age has transformed how we communicate, making it easier to share information instantly across the globe.
Present – To show or offer something for others to consider or appreciate – Each student was required to present their research findings to the class using a digital slideshow.
