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CM . . . .
Volume V Number 9 . . . . January 1, 1999
About a month ago, Adam, a teen, "met" Raven via an Internet discussion group
on sex, and she "approached" him, suggesting that they continue their email
conversation via a private chat room. Over the period they have been
corresponding, Adam believes he has come to know Raven as they have shared more
about themselves. Now Raven has invited Adam up to a secluded cabin on the
weekend for their first face to face meeting. In the video, Adam is visited by
his guardian "Angel," who appears in the form of a teenaged girl, and she asks
him some tough questions. While the written email "voice" of Raven appears to
be teen and female, Adam admits to Angel that he has not been truthful to
Raven, and so "she" might not actually be what she has represented herself to
be. Via a dream-like sequence, Angel presents a number of "news reports" in
which sexual deviants have used the Net to lure their teenaged victims or teens
have been hurt by explosives made from Net information. As well, Angel shows
Adam how the Web has become the new communication channel of racists.
As the video's title suggests, caution and critical thinking must be utilized
in using the Net for it does contain some hidden dangers.
While the news reports were fictionalized, the accompanying material explains
that "they were all inspired by actual events." That same printed material, a
"User's Guide," provides some suggestions for class/group activities to be used
before and after viewing, some ideas for further "follow-up research and
activities," a short glossary, a bibliography of further "Resources," and five
"Internet Safety Tips." This short video is not didactic in its presentation,
and, appropriately, it leaves many questions unanswered, a technique which
should assist in generating the desired post-viewing discussion.
Highly recommended.
When not surfing the web, Dave Jenkinson teaches courses in children's
and YA literature in the Faculty of Education, the University of Manitoba.
To comment on this title or this review, send mail to cm@umanitoba.ca.
Copyright © the Manitoba Library Association.
Reproduction for personal use is permitted only if this copyright notice
is maintained. Any other reproduction is prohibited without
permission.
Published by
TABLE OF CONTENTS FOR THIS ISSUE - JANAURY 1, 1999.
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