Reference Reviews

Reference for Students

Online Social Networking. Edited by Sylvia Engdahl. Detroit, Mich.: Greenhaven Press Thomson Gale, 2007. 1 vol. 232 p. $28.96. ISBN 10: 0-7377-3700-9; 13: 978-0-7377-3799-8.

Teens are very much involved in online social networking, usually unaware of consequences. Originally used for computer conferences in the 1980s, the success of this networking had two major benefits: any number of people could be involved at the same time, or they could join the discussion at any time convenient to them. The current issues with students using MySpace and Facebook have brought attention from the media. Discussions center around the following chapter titles: "Should Parents Limit Teens' Use of Social Networking Web Sites?", "Should Congress Require Schools and Libraries to Block Networking Sites," "Who Is Using Online Social Networking?" and "How is Online Social Networking Changing Society?" While this is aimed at student debate, parents might be interested in what is covered in the various articles. It might help them with discussions with their children.