Don't Fear Your Kids' Technology Use; Embrace it

Rebecca Levey is a co-founder of KidzVuz.com, a video review site by and for tweens. She writes about technology and education at Beccarama and is a White House Champion of Change for Education. Follow her at @beccasara.

Very often I’m approached by parents with questions about their kids and technology, many of which focus on fear and the unknown. Have you heard about the latest app that might lead to bullying or sexting or stalking or lifelong shame? Is my child leading a secret life that will end in tragedy? What's the next horrible app I should be aware of?

If you've been reading the news lately, you might feel overwhelmed with thoughts of technology anxiety and the possibility that the shiny little device in the palm of your child's hand is just a gateway to harm. I always answer these questions with the same opening line: